Although it may sound like an easy thing to spot, if you aren't prepared for them, these pop-up messages can look like the real thing when you click on a link in an email or on a web page.

If you ever see a pop-up message warning that your system has a virus, you should take the message seriously. But that doesn't mean you should always believe what it's telling you. It is important not to panic, as it may be trying to trick you into letting your computer becomie infected.

Note that legitimate anti-virus programs don't ask you to buy their product AFTER they find the virus. This is the clue that you are being tricked. Don't click on anything in the message window.

The first thing you should do is use "Alt-F4" (if you are using MS Windows) to exit all browser windows. The message is most likely being displayed from your browser program. Once the window with the message is gone, you should either delete the message you last clicked on, or make a note to avoid the website you last visited before the message popped up.

In one experience I had, it was actually a virus on a computer that was telling me that the system was infected, and that by purchasing a particular product I could fix it. This is actually a form of extortion - holding a computer hostage until you pay them some money - which may or may not even get rid of the problem.