# Your uncle’s frozen Mac says it’s infected after viewing a Google ad. Now what?

Published: 2026-09-25 · Updated: 2026-09-25 · Category: Safety

Source page: https://www.sipply.dev/story/your-uncles-frozen-mac-says-its-infected-after-viewing-a-7545369b · 中文: https://www.sipply.dev/zh/story/your-uncles-frozen-mac-says-its-infected-after-viewing-a-7545369b

## Summary

Recent research has uncovered a tech support scam that is being propagated through Google ads, which can freeze screens on both Windows and Mac devices. This scam prompts users to call a fraudulent support number, potentially leading to financial loss and personal data compromise. While Netskope has taken measures to block this malicious content for its clients, the widespread nature of the scam indicates that many users may still be at risk of falling victim to it.

## Key takeaways

- Tech support scams are evolving and leveraging legitimate platforms like Google ads.
- Users are at significant risk of being scammed, particularly if they are not tech-savvy.
- Preventative measures by cybersecurity firms are crucial but may not reach all affected users.

## Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing threat of online scams and the need for increased awareness and protective measures among users. As scams become more sophisticated, the potential for widespread harm grows.

- **Product managers:** Product managers should consider integrating user education and security features into their products to help mitigate the risks of such scams, ensuring a safer user experience.
- **Developers:** Developers should be aware of the potential for their applications to be exploited in scams and consider implementing security measures that can help protect users from malicious ads and fraudulent support calls.
- **Students and job seekers:** For students and job-seekers, understanding the landscape of online scams is crucial as they navigate their digital lives and seek employment opportunities, making them more resilient against such threats.

## Sources

- [Your uncle’s frozen Mac says it’s infected after viewing a Google ad. Now what?](https://arstechnica.com/security/2026/09/google-ads-caught-delivering-convincing-scareware-ads-to-unsuspecting-users) (Ars Technica AI, 2026-09-25)

## 中文

### 你叔叔的冻结Mac显示感染了病毒，接下来该怎么办？

最近的研究揭示了一种通过Google广告传播的技术支持诈骗，这种诈骗可以冻结Windows和Mac设备的屏幕。该诈骗促使用户拨打虚假的支持电话，可能导致经济损失和个人数据泄露。尽管Netskope已采取措施阻止其客户接触这些恶意内容，但该诈骗的广泛性表明，许多用户仍可能面临受害风险。

**要点：**

- 技术支持诈骗正在演变，并利用Google广告等合法平台。
- 用户面临重大诈骗风险，尤其是那些不懂技术的用户。
- 网络安全公司的预防措施至关重要，但可能无法覆盖所有受影响的用户。

**为什么重要：** 这一事件突显了在线诈骗的持续威胁，以及用户需要提高警惕和采取保护措施。随着诈骗手段的日益复杂，潜在的广泛危害也在增加。

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