How to stop virus pop ups on my MacBook Pro running Ventura?

After I had experienced issues MS Word unable to highlight, copy and paste, I quit MS Word and restarted my MacBook Pro Ventura 13.5.1. When it was restarting, it did not start up right away because it was upgrading. I did not not click on anything before restarting it for it to upgrade to. The only software update alert showing under System Setting is for Sonoma 14.5. I have not upgraded that software yet because it is optional or I'm more interested in the security updates. I don't know if I should upgrade it as I don't want any differences in how my computer works unless it's to better protect my computer. Ever since I restarted my laptop, Safari virus or hacking pop-ups frequently appear. Although I ran a Malbytes scan, no viruses showed. I remember maybe about 5 years ago, someone here developed a virus scanner just for Mac OS, which worked for some other issue I had on another laptop. Does anyone have the link to that? Or what can I do to stop these frequent Safari virus and hacking alert pop-ups? I have never had this issue before. Thanks in advance.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]