What Is Chrome Virus?
How does Chrome Virus infect? What types of Chrome Virus infections are there? How to remove Chrome Virus?
Chrome Virus is unwanted, often malicious software for Google Chrome. Such viruses are often different types of unwanted programs or malware, affecting Google Chrome. They can be of different types, whereas the most often seen viruses on Google Chrome are fake Google Error pages, which ask you to call a scam number. These pages could often be caused by a virus or a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program) on your computer. Read this article carefully to learn how to detect and remove Chrome viruses.
Threat Summary
| Name | Chrome Virus |
| Type | Browser Hijacker, PUP, Virus |
| Short Description | The hijacker redirect can alter the Chrome homepage, search engine and new tab on every browser application you have installed. |
| Symptoms | The homepage, new tab and search engine of all your browsers will be switched to the hijacker’s main page. You will be redirected and could see sponsored content or scam pages. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages, Dangerous websites |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
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Malware Removal Tool
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Chrome Virus. |
Chrome Virus – How Did I Get It and What Does It Do?
In order to enter your computer, the Chrome Virus may use a variety of tactics and methods to spread. One of those methods is known as software bundling, which makes it seem as the Chrome Virus is a legitimate browser toolbar or an extension. These types of toolbars are offered in the installers of other free programs, where they are advertised as a free extra or an optional offer. They cannot be easily detected, because these install steps are often hidden in the “Custom” or “Advanced” installation modes. These installers are often to free programs that are popular, but offered in shady software download sites. Their main idea is to trick you into downloading the installer that contains the bundled Google Chrome Virus in it. Another distribution method of the Chrome Virus is to spread it via multiple different types of sites, that offer free helper programs, that only appear as if they are there to improve your browsing activities.
There are different activities in which a Chrome Virus infection can be involved in, depending on the type of virus that may have currently compromised your system. There are different types of Chrome Virus infections out there:
Fake Tech Support/ERROR Scam Pages Chrome Virus
These pages are often caused by either you visiting an ad-supported site or if you have an ad-supported program installed on your computer. These programs are usually browser hijackers, adware, fake helpers, hoax antivirus and optimizers. One clear example of such page is the Google Chrome Critical Error fake web page, that used to imitate a legitimate Google Chrome web page, but it’s end goal was malicious. When compared, the original page was quite different to the scam page, that claimed your Chrome browser is at risk and you must call a fake tech support number:
Once victims called the number, scammers wanted them to pay a hefty sum of money in order to get the “tech support” employees to get into their computer and fix their problem – something that is not only illegal, but can also be very dangerous for the information on your computer.
Fake Chrome Virus Browser
Those types of Chrome Virus threats are fake browsers that use the same code as Google Chrome browser, but are not google Chrome Itself. When Google, released the Chromium project, many adware and malware developers made fake versions of Chrome, allowing them to slither a lot of adware and malware components on victim computers. Hence, researchers and bloggers alike now refer to these types of viruses as the Chromium Viruses. One of the best copycats was the Chromatic browser, which offered to save you money with coupons while browsing:
In reality, the browsers slither ads directly on the desktop, they were almost impossible to uninstall manually, because they all kept coming back.
Browser Hijacker and Adware Chrome Virus
Browser Hijackers, just like their name suggests aim to hijack your web browser in order to change your home page, new tab page and many other pages that are default to your browser. The end goal of this is that browser hijackers aim to lead you to sponsored sites, some of which may even infect your computer with Trojans, Spyware, more Adware and even ransomware. Browser hijackers could often be programs that are installed on your computer, but they could also be browser extensions, like the unTabs browser extension, that claimed to optimize your Chrome experience:
In reality, it ran a hijacker that changed Chrome settings, used cookies to track what you do online, like most of those tools do. The main goal of having them is that you will start to see the following ads:
- Pop-ups.
- Browser Redirects.
- Push Notifications.
- Banners.
- Highlighted text ads on the sites you visit.
- Ad-supported search results.
Remove Chrome Virus from Your Computer
To ensure complete removal of Chrome Virus files from your computer, we recommend following the steps below. These steps are designed to assist you in eliminating the virus from both your browser and your computer. For optimal results and efficiency, we suggest bypassing the manual steps and proceeding directly to download and run a scan with advanced anti-malware software. This professional program is tailored to automatically detect and remove all Google Virus files and objects residing on your computer, saving you time and guaranteeing the safety of your system.
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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:
- Windows
- Mac OS X
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Microsoft Edge
- Safari
- Internet Explorer
- Stop Push Pop-ups
How to Remove Chrome Virus from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for Chrome Virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall Chrome Virus 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 4: Clean Any registries, Created by Chrome Virus on Your PC.
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 Chrome Virus 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.
Video Removal Guide for Chrome Virus (Windows).
Get rid of Chrome Virus from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Chrome Virus and remove related files and objects
Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to Chrome Virus. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
- 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 Chrome Virus 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 Chrome Virus files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Chrome Virus, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Video Removal Guide for Chrome Virus (Mac)
Remove Chrome Virus 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.
Erase Chrome Virus 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.
Uninstall Chrome Virus 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.
Remove Chrome Virus 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 Chrome Virus will be removed.
Eliminate Chrome Virus 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.
Remove Push Notifications from Your Browsers
Turn Off Push Notifications from Google Chrome
To disable any Push Notices from Google Chrome browser, please follow the steps below:
Step 1: Go to Settings in Chrome.
Step 2: In Settings, select “Advanced Settings”:
Step 3: Click “Content Settings”:
Step 4: Open “Notifications”:
Step 5: Click the three dots and choose Block, Edit or Remove options:
Remove Push Notifications on Firefox
Step 1: Go to Firefox Options.
Step 2: Go to “Settings”, type “notifications” in the search bar and click "Settings":
Step 3: Click “Remove” on any site you wish notifications gone and click “Save Changes”
Stop Push Notifications on Opera
Step 1: In Opera, press ALT+P to go to Settings.
Step 2: In Setting search, type “Content” to go to Content Settings.
Step 3: Open Notifications:
Step 4: Do the same as you did with Google Chrome (explained below):
Eliminate Push Notifications on Safari
Step 1: Open Safari Preferences.
Step 2: Choose the domain from where you like push pop-ups gone and change to "Deny" from "Allow".
Chrome Virus-FAQ
What Is Chrome Virus?
The Chrome Virus threat is adware or browser redirect virus.
It may slow your computer down significantly and display advertisements. The main idea is for your information to likely get stolen or more ads to appear on your device.
The creators of such unwanted apps work with pay-per-click schemes to get your computer to visit risky or different types of websites that may generate them funds. This is why they do not even care what types of websites show up on the ads. This makes their unwanted software indirectly risky for your OS.
What Are the Symptoms of Chrome Virus?
There are several symptoms to look for when this particular threat and also unwanted apps in general are active:
Symptom #1: Your computer may become slow and have poor performance in general.
Symptom #2: You have toolbars, add-ons or extensions on your web browsers that you don't remember adding.
Symptom #3: You see all types of ads, like ad-supported search results, pop-ups and redirects to randomly appear.
Symptom #4: You see installed apps on your Mac running automatically and you do not remember installing them.
Symptom #5: You see suspicious processes running in your Task Manager.
If you see one or more of those symptoms, then security experts recommend that you check your computer for viruses.
What Types of Unwanted Programs Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the threats that can currently affect your device can be rogue antivirus software, adware, browser hijackers, clickers, fake optimizers and any forms of PUPs.
What to Do If I Have a "virus" like Chrome Virus?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your email passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activities with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these recommendations, your network and all devices will become significantly more secure against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
How Does Chrome Virus Work?
Once installed, Chrome Virus can collect data using trackers. This data is about your web browsing habits, such as the websites you visit and the search terms you use. It is then used to target you with ads or to sell your information to third parties.
Chrome Virus can also download other malicious software onto your computer, such as viruses and spyware, which can be used to steal your personal information and show risky ads, that may redirect to virus sites or scams.
Is Chrome Virus Malware?
The truth is that PUPs (adware, browser hijackers) are not viruses, but may be just as dangerous since they may show you and redirect you to malware websites and scam pages.
Many security experts classify potentially unwanted programs as malware. This is because of the unwanted effects that PUPs can cause, such as displaying intrusive ads and collecting user data without the user’s knowledge or consent.
About the Chrome Virus Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Chrome Virus how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific, adware-related problem, and restore your browser and computer system.
How did we conduct the research on Chrome Virus?
Please note that our research is based on independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware, adware, and browser hijacker definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the Chrome Virus threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.