This article has been created in order to explain what is the Google Chrome Critical ERROR scam message and how to remove it from your computer, plus how to fix it back to a normal working state and protect it.
A new scamming message has been reported by researchers to go by the name Google Chrome Critical ERROR. The scam message aims to convince victims that a virus has attempted to enter your computer via Google Chrome, but it has been blocked by Windows Firewall.
Google Chrome Critical ERROR Pop-up “Virus”
The Google Chrome Critical ERROR may come in the form of a pop-up, a notification alert or other type of message and can have a virus implemented with it. Thus, if you click on it, a script will trigger that will download a file on your computer so you can continue to see the error in your browser no matter what you do until you clean your PC. Such threats rely on scare tactics and social engineering, much like more serious threats such as ransomware cryptoviruses, so beware of this scam and do not fall for it.
However, the scam also claims that the personal data on the victim’s computer has been severely compromised and he or she should call a tech support number to solve the issue. The scamming message has been reported to appear as a result of having an unwanted program, causing such pop-ups. This is why, if you see the Google Chrome Critical ERROR scam message, recommendations are to read this article and learn how to remove this scamming redirect from your PC and protect it against future intrusive programs.
Threat Summary
| Name | Google Chrome Critical ERROR Scam |
| Type | PUP/Tech Support Scam Pop-up |
| Short Description | The software that may be causing this scam may pretend to be a helper program or a browser extension but in fact it causes pop-ups, like the Google Chrome Critical ERROR scamming message.. |
| Symptoms | Google Chrome is locked with a tech support scam message which pretends you’re your PC is at risk, asking you to call a tech support number to fix any possible issues. |
| Distribution Method | Via PUA (Potentially Unwanted Applications), via JavaScript on suspicious sites, as a result of malware on your PC |
| Detection Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool | User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Google Chrome Critical ERROR Scam. |
Google Chrome Critical ERROR – Update January 2020
The Google Chrome Critical ERROR scam message has been reported to be associated with a scamming network which spread similar types of messages, called the Critical ERROR scams. They are primarily reported to be seen on Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer. The messages are associated with more than one scam number, but the purpose of the scammers remains the same – to pretend to fix issues that do not exist. More information about the Critical ERROR scams in overall can be found on the related article titled Critical ERROR “Virus” Page (Fake Red Screen).
Other Google Chrome Scam Variations
Besides being still as active as ever, the Google Chrome Critical ERROR messages have evolved into different forms of red screen scams. One of them is the fake Yahlover infection pop-up which appears rather similar and has a similar purpose:
Furthermore, the scam has also been spread to other web browsers as well, showing Critical error messages on a web page which pretends to be a flagged website:
The messages go through great extents to display to google what seems to be a web page that is very close to the original one:
Google Chrome Critical ERROR Pop-up – How Did I Get It and What Does It Do?
The main methods of replication of this pop-up message are several, based on how you have reached it:
- If you have visited a suspicious website, which aims to display advertisements or browser redirects as a result of a JavaScript code, embedded directly in it’s source code.
- If you have downloaded a program, believing it is legitimate, but the program’s installer also comes with an embedded PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program) which pretends to be added as a free extra, but is actually aiming to do more indirect harm by redirecting you to third-party sites, like the Google Chrome Critical ERROR.
- If you have added a browser extension to Chrome that is ad supported as a result of already having such an adware program on your PC.
Google Chrome Critical ERROR is from the type of fake pop-up alerts which may appear on your Google Chrome browser. The scam has been carefully designed in order to imitate a legitimate warning about you visiting a malicious website – a pop-up that is quite similar to what Google Chrome displays before letting you visit an actual malicious website. Unlike the legitimate warning message however, this message may appear as a browser redirect on your computer and It does not block any type of malicious site, because it’s fake. Here is how close the scamming Google Chrome Critical ERROR message gets in terms of appearance in comparison to the original image:
Google Chrome Critical ERROR is from the tech support scams of the “Critical ERROR” scam family, possibly created by the same scammers. Those types of scamming messages can be seen on different web browsers as well. Some of the web browsers on which the Critical ERROR scamming messages have so far been detected were reported to be the following:
- Internet Explorer.
- Microsoft Edge browser.
- Mozilla Firefox.
Similar to other tech support scams, the Google Chrome Critical ERROR scamming pop-up aims to display a convincing message, that the victim’s computer has been compromised, even though it’s firewall has prevented a virus. The end goal of the scam is to get you to call the tech support number +1(888)-562-5234. Calling the number is strongly inadvisable, since the scammers may pose as legitimate tech support guys and scam you to pay a hefty sum of money for a service that fixes your computer, even though it is not actually broken.
The scamming message of the Google Chrome Critical ERROR scam is the following:
Google Chrome Critical ERROR
There was a dangerous try to get an access to your personal logins & bank information.
Luckily, your Firewall managed to block this suspicious connection-
We recommend you to freeze your accounts until some measures will be taken.
There is a great threat of leaking of your personal data-
50, you need to respond swiftly!
Trojan Virus may have already hurt your hard disk and its data-
That is why we are checking and verifying your current system security-
Do not waste your time and consult one of our service centers or call us.
Contact Number +1 (888) 5635234 (TOLL-FREE)
Your urgent response is needed.
To deal with this problem, contact our network administration-
Call Help Desk
+1 (888) 563-5234
The actual help desk number has been reported by victims at 888notes to be a scamming message which should be ignored. When the victims have called the support number, the scammers pretended to be official Microsoft Tech Support and they scared the victim that they have detected several hundred (over 200) viruses on the computer of the victim. Then, the scammers wanted a large sum of money to be paid (around $800) to fix the issues on the victim’s computer and after some time, they renegotiated the price to fall down to about $100. When the victim refused to pay, the scammers rudely hung up to her.
If you have seen the Google Chrome Critical ERROR scamming message, we strongly suggest that you focus on removing it immediately from your web browser and checking if your computer has been affected by malware.
How to Remove the Google Chrome Critical ERROR Pop-up and Secure Your PC
In order to make sure that you won’t see any of those message, a tradition antivirus might not be able to help you, since those messages are usually displayed by PUA (Potentially Unwanted Applications) that are classified as low level threats which are from the adware/browser hijacker type. This is why, if you want to fully remove the Google Chrome Critical ERROR Pop-up, we advise that you follow the removal instructions underneath. They are made, to help you to remove the Google Chrome Critical ERROR pop-up either manually or automatically.
Be advised that experts outline that the most effective tool against all types of malware, including PUA is advanced anti-malware software. Such program will automatically scan your computer and completely secure it against all types of objects that may be causing these pop-ups on your computer system. And not only this, but such software will also make sure that the Google Chrome Critical ERROR scam is permanently gone and your PC is protected against such pop-up displaying software in the future without you having to waste your time on them.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
Follow Me:
- Guide 1: How to Remove Google Chrome Critical ERROR Scam from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Google Chrome Critical ERROR Scam from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove Google Chrome Critical ERROR Scam from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase Google Chrome Critical ERROR Scam from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall Google Chrome Critical ERROR Scam from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove Google Chrome Critical ERROR Scam from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate Google Chrome Critical ERROR Scam from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove Google Chrome Critical ERROR Scam from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Google Chrome Critical ERROR Scam
Step 2: Uninstall Google Chrome Critical ERROR Scam and related software from Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Google Chrome Critical ERROR Scam on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Google Chrome Critical ERROR Scam there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Get rid of Google Chrome Critical ERROR Scam from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Google Chrome Critical ERROR Scam and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove Google Chrome Critical ERROR Scam via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 2: Scan for and remove malware from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts, programs and malware, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. Combo Cleaner offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove Google Chrome Critical ERROR Scam from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Erase Google Chrome Critical ERROR Scam from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Uninstall Google Chrome Critical ERROR Scam from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove Google Chrome Critical ERROR Scam from Safari.
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the Google Chrome Critical ERROR Scam will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate Google Chrome Critical ERROR Scam from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.
Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.
This issue happened on my PC today. I closed the browser and it went away for a while but then it appeared again. Really frustrating.. Any idea where on the system this virus may be residing?