Spot the fraud
The pop-up alerts often look like legitimate error messages, claiming to be from well-known companies like Microsoft or Apple.
So how can one identify if it’s a scam attempt?
Mr Dennis Chung, chief security officer at Microsoft Singapore, says: “Legitimate companies typically won’t initiate unsolicited contact through pop-up notifications.”
He advises people to familiarise themselves with how their software providers offer support and collect payment. For example, Microsoft error and warning messages never include phone numbers. “If unsure, check the official website for contact information.”
You should also avoid installing unknown applications, especially those from unofficial sources.
Mr Chung adds: “Only use legitimate software downloaded from trusted sources, such as the official website of the developer or a reputable app store.”