IT Tech Tip: Never Click the Red X!

From the IT Group: Normally, when you want to close a pop-up that has opened on your computer screen, you simply click on the red X located in the upper right-hand corner and the pop-up goes away. In most cases this does not harm your computer.

However, as viruses and spyware/malware become more sophisticated, clicking the red X may infect your computer. You know that McAfee is the Anti-virus/Spyware tool used by the college to keep your computer free from problems. As virus programmers get craftier and craftier, they’ve devised a way to make certain pop-ups look convincingly like anti-virus programs intended to help you. What you don’t know is by clicking on the red X, you’re asking for trouble.

A good rule of thumb: if you ever receive a suspicious pop-up, do not click on the red X to close it. The best way is to end the task. Simply press control-alt-delete to bring up the Task Manager. Click on the Applications Tab, find the name you see in the title bar of the pop-up, click on that application to highlight it and click the End Task button on the bottom. That will close the pop-up without infecting your computer. If this box continues to reappear, your computer begins to run very slowly, or you have pop-ups that are continuous and annoying, contact the HelpDesk and we will be happy to help you get your computer back in good condition.