Windows defender has temporarily disabled my internet and computer for suspicious activity

Sarah Bryant 30 Reputation points
2026-02-23T19:29:29.7466667+00:00

I'm getting a message saying "Windows Defender has temporarily disabled your internet connection and computer for suspicious activity from Facebook. Please do not shutdown or restart the computer. We have detected that you may have clicked on a virus infected article on Facebook. Please call our support before your Facebook account is permanently suspended." What do I do?

Windows for home | Other | Security and privacy
Answer accepted by question author
Clary-N 15,095 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
2026-02-24T06:38:49.4766667+00:00

Hi Sarah Bryant,

Thank you for posting on Microsoft Q&A forum. I’m really glad you reached out. I know how unsettling it can be to see a message claiming your computer or Facebook account is at risk, especially when it looks like it’s coming from Windows Defender.

From what you described, this message is not a real Windows Defender or Facebook alert. It’s a common browser‑based scam designed to scare people into calling a fake support number.

I can see that Q&A Assist has already suggested a few helpful steps. I’ve gathered them here for convenience and added a couple of extra recommendations that should help prevent this from happening again:

First, close the message safely. These fake alerts usually appear inside a web browser, not in Windows itself. If the message is still on your screen, try closing the browser window normally. If it won’t close, press Alt + F4. If that doesn’t work, open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), select your browser and choose End task.

Next, restart your computer. Even if the message told you not to restart, it’s safe to do so. That warning is part of the scare tactic. Restarting clears the browser session and helps ensure the fake page is completely gone.

After restarting, run a full Windows Security scan. This step is mostly for reassurance. Open Windows Security, go to Virus & threat protection, choose Scan options and run a Full scan. In most cases like this, the scan comes back clean, which confirms that nothing was installed and your system is fine.

Then, clear your browser data (or reset the browser if needed). These pop‑ups are often triggered by a malicious website or advertisement. Clearing your browser’s cache and cookies removes anything left behind. If you keep seeing similar pop‑ups later, resetting the browser to its default settings will fully stop them.

Please don’t call any phone numbers or install anything from pop‑ups. Microsoft and Facebook do not include phone numbers in security alerts, and they never ask you to install software or give remote access through a pop‑up. Calling those numbers can lead to scammers asking for personal or payment information, avoiding that is exactly the right move.

If you’re worried about your Facebook account, check it directly. Open a new browser window and type facebook.com yourself, or use the official Facebook app. If there were any real issues with your account, you would see a notification there. These scams often mention Facebook just to make the message feel more urgent.

Going forward, a good rule of thumb is this: Real Windows security alerts appear inside the Windows Security app, are calm in tone and never threaten account suspension or demand immediate action. Anything that pops up in a browser with loud warnings, countdowns or phone numbers is a red flag.

If anything doesn’t look right after following these steps, or if you’d like help checking a specific setting, I’m happy to walk you through it.

If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".  

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  1. AI answer

    2026-02-23T19:29:38.3266667+00:00

    The message you are seeing is likely a tech support scam. Microsoft does not send unsolicited messages or make unsolicited calls to request personal information or to fix your computer. Here’s what you should do:

    1. Do Not Call the Number: Do not call any number provided in the pop-up message. Microsoft’s error messages never include phone numbers.
    2. Close the Browser: You can try to close the browser window. If it’s maximized, press F11 to exit full screen, or use Alt + F4 to close the window. If that doesn’t work, you can open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Escape), find the browser process, and end it.
    3. Restart Your Computer: If your computer is still locked, hold the power button down until it turns off, then restart it.
    4. Clear Your Browser Cache: After restarting, clear your browser cache to remove any residual pop-ups or issues.
    5. Run a Full Scan: Once you regain access, run a full scan with Microsoft Defender Antivirus to check for any malware that may have been installed.
    6. Be Cautious in the Future: To minimize the likelihood of this happening again, consider installing an ad blocker and only downloading software from official sources.

    If you believe you have been affected by a scam, you can report it to Microsoft using their technical support scam form.

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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