A website keeps sending scary virus notifications. Stop them safely

A notification that names a virus, gives a countdown or tells you to call support may come from a website you once allowed to send alerts. It is not automatically a detection by your antivirus. Do not click the alert to investigate it.

Find the sender​

1. Note the website name in the notification. In Chrome, open Settings → Privacy and security → Site settings → Notifications. Find that site under sites allowed to send notifications and block or remove its permission.
2. In Edge, open Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Notifications and remove or block the suspicious site. Menu names can vary with browser versions.
3. Close the notification. If you downloaded or ran a file from it, check the file and run a security scan; revoking a notification permission does not undo a download.

Check what changed​

The site should no longer send alerts. Other sites you trust can keep their own permissions. If the same warning returns, inspect its sender again: it may be another site, a browser extension or an installed app. Chrome's notification controls explain how to review site permissions. Never enable notifications merely to watch a video, download a file or pass a supposed security check.

Confirm the sender is gone​

Close the browser and reopen it. If another alert arrives, read its site name before changing anything: several sites can have permission at once. If the sender is an installed application rather than your browser, manage that application's notifications and inspect whether it belongs on the device.