How to remove malware from a Chrome browser in 2024

Suppose in your Chrome browser you notice unintentional website redirects, suspicious landing pages, a surge of intrusive ads and pop-ups, unknown extensions, and an overall decrease in browser performance. In that case, your Google Chrome is infected with malware.

A Google Chrome virus is not a typical computer virus but several types of malware aimed at the most popular web browser. Chrome malware damages vary from barely noticeable to severe, so you should remove it as soon as you notice dubious behavior.

However, some types of malware can be challenging to get rid of. For example, a browser hijacker with rootkit capabilities can modify your operating system and reinstall itself even if you cleared it from your browser. In this article, we'll explain how to remove malware from Chrome completely and prevent future infections.

How to know if you have malware in the Chrome browser?

Because most people use a web browser daily, noticing malware on Chrome takes little time. An indicator that your computer has been infected with malware is a spike in sudden unintended events, like continuous redirects through the Yahoo search engine instead of your chosen default. Here are the warning signs that your Google Chrome is infected with malware.

• A surge of ads. Adware is an extremely popular type of Chrome malware that displays tons of unwanted ads and pop-ups that could lead to a more menacing virus infection.
• Suspicious redirects. You may notice that your browser makes a few strange jumps through alternative websites before landing you on the target destination. It may even redirect you to fraudulent websites that host other malicious programs.
• Unknown browser extensions. Your Google Chrome is likely infected if you notice new browser extensions you do not remember installing.
• Alternative homepage. By default, Chrome lands users on its Google search engine or your chosen alternative. However, Chrome malware can modify your browser to land you on a different homepage, even if you manually instruct Chrome otherwise.
• Decreased performance. Chrome will require more system resources and will slow down if it is infected by malware like cryptojackers.

How to remove Chrome malware: detailed guide

If you see the symptoms outlined above, you should take quick action, but there's no need to panic. You can scan Chrome for malware using a professional antivirus or remove the infection manually. Here's our detailed guide to restoring Chrome to normalcy and tips on how to prevent malware from reappearing.

1. Remove malware from Google Chrome with antivirus software

The best way to remove malware from Chrome is to use dedicated antivirus software with real-time protection features. A reliable antivirus will not only shut down hostile programs and clean malware from Chrome but also scan your device to ensure infection does not reappear.

TotalAV is our top antivirus choice, neutralizing existing malware and preventing new threats with its robust real-time protection feature. Below is an in-depth Chrome malware removal guide with step-by-step instructions on keeping your device safe.

How to protect your computer from malware attacks

Antiviruses like TotalAV are paramount for overall device safety because they routinely scan it for viruses. However, you will be much safer online if you take these additional steps:

• Avoid piracy. Only download files from official verified sources. Cybercriminals often place malicious programs on illegal torrenting sites, or you can download one using a peer-to-peer connection.
• Beware of software bundles. Do not hastily click Next when installing a program from a software bundle. A deceptive program can be inserted between legitimate applications, and you may agree to install one by not reading through the text.
• Don't click dubious links. Refrain from clicking suspicious links on social networks, forums, video game chat rooms, and emails. They may land you on a virus-infected website or trigger a drive-by malware download. Only click the backlinks from verified sources.
• Update software. Do not postpone software updates because they often include crucial cybersecurity fixes. Hackers use tools like the SHODAN search engine to find outdated devices online and target their vulnerabilities.
• Scan downloads. Whenever you download something to your device, scan it for malware. Luckily, Chrome has a built-in download scanning feature on Windows, but it is limited only to its environment. We recommend using a third-party antivirus like TotalAV for system-wide protection.

2. Run a quick antivirus scan

An antivirus scan leaves no stone unturned, checking your device for viruses. It only takes a few clicks to order a TotalAV malware scan, and it will notify you of any threats within minutes. Here's how to do it:

1. Go to the TotalAV website and pick a subscription
2. Download the antivirus and install it on your device
3. Launch TotalAV, then click the Scan option
4. Choose System Scan to scan your entire system, including the Chrome browser
5. TotalAV will display the results and urge you to act if your device is infected
6. Follow the antivirus instructions to isolate and remove the threat

Remove malware with TotalAV

3. Delete corrupted files

Malware corrupts and modifies specific files to change the way they behave. A Chrome browser infected with malware can have corrupted files that display unwanted ads or even steal your confidential data, like passwords. Here's how to delete corrupted files from your device.

1. Right-click with your mouse on the Windows menu and select Installed apps to locate corrupted files (Disk Utility on Mac)
2. Scroll through the applications that are installed on your Windows device, pay special attention to the recently installed ones.
3. When you find a suspicious app, click on the three dots on the right.
4. Select Uninstall and confirm again.
5. If the previous does not work, use the Command Prompt on Windows or the Terminal app on Mac to delete them

4. Restart your computer and scan again

Sometimes, malware processes may interfere with the antivirus scan or manual file removal. In this case, a simple restart can help:

1. Save all your files and work progress to avoid losing them before you restart your device
2. (Windows) Click Start and then the Power icon and choose Restart
3. (Mac) Open the Apple menu and click Restart
4. Wait until your device restarts fully
5. Launch the antivirus program and order a full system scan
6. Follow antivirus instructions to quarantine and remove malware

5. Reset Chrome browser settings

Even the best antivirus software is not fool-proof because cybercriminals always develop new malware. If the malware is deeply embedded in Chrome, you may need to reset its settings to their original default.

1. Open Chrome and click on the three dots in the upper right corner
2. Go to Settings > Reset settings
   
3. Click on Restore settings to their original defaults.
4. Click on Reset setting to confirm.

What is the Google Chrome browser virus?

The Google Chrome virus is not a typical computer virus but specific malware that modifies Chrome browser behavior. Some Chrome malware is low-risk, like Adware, which only displays many ads and frustrating pop-ups. Meanwhile, spyware can steal sensitive data like passwords and credit card numbers for identity theft.

A Chrome browser hijacker modifies Chrome settings to redirect users to specific websites, change the homepage, or change the search engine, often to drive traffic to the attacker's domains. Chrome spyware is particularly nasty because it can steal most personal information, like banking details and passwords.

Chrome adware bombards you with numerous ads and pop-ups to promote services in the shadiest way. However, the ads can lead to fraudulent websites that contain more dangerous computer viruses. They may also trigger virus drive-by downloads that you can quickly identify using the TotalAV real-time protection feature.

Stay safe with TotalAV

How did the malware infect my Chrome browser?

Catching Chrome malware is easy without additional cybersecurity software, especially if you frequent torrenting or free streaming websites. Antiviruses tend to falsely identify video game cracks as computer viruses, called false positives, so many gamers choose to ignore the warning. But if the file contains a genuine computer virus, it opens the system's front door.

Clicking on a fraudulent backlink or downloading a sketchy email attachment is another way of getting malware on Chrome. Although Chrome will block access to insecure websites that do not use encryption, it will let through fraudulent websites signed with a certificate to make them appear authentic.

Lastly, be particularly mindful about adding Chrome extensions. Remember that Google had to remove popular extensions like Autoskip for YouTube and Soundboost from the Chrome web store because they contained malicious obfuscated code. Several million downloads prove limiting your extensions to the most important ones from trusted and reputable brands is best.

Stop malware with TotalAV

Why am I getting pop up ads on Chrome?

A surge of unwanted pop-ups is a common symptom of Chrome browser infection. For example, the ChromeLoader malware appeared in early 2022. It forces third-party Chrome extension installs. In turn, these extensions redirect to fraudulent websites that display fake lotteries and giveaways and promote illegitimate software.

The initial ChromeLoad infection usually came uninvited with torrented video game files. The malware was injected into ISO image files and executed after the file was mounted. After installing a pirated video game, players shortly experienced suspicious browser behavior, unaware that new Google Chrome pop-ups may include a virus.

How to remove adware and suspicious programs from various devices

Even uninfected Chrome can still display ads or redirect users to shady websites if their operating system is infected. Here's how to remove adware and other suspicious programs from macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android.

macOS

You can get rid of macOS viruses by scanning the device with an antivirus. Alternatively, you can follow the instructions below to clean your Mac manually.

1. Open the Finder and select the Applications option
2. Identify a dubious app you don't remember installing
3. Click on it and select Move to Bin
4. Go back to the main screen and Empty the trash

Windows

The easiest way to clean Windows from viruses is by using a reliable antivirus to perform a full system scan. However, if using an antivirus is not an option, here's how to do it manually.

1. Press the Windows key and type Control Panel
2. Go to Programs and Features
3. Look for suspicious entries you don't recall installing
4. Right-click on it and select Uninstall

Some infections resist manual removal, and you must use Windows Safe Mode. Check your device manual or Google the instructions online on how to start your Windows in safe mode, then follow the steps outlined above.

Android and iOS

A mobile-friendly antivirus is the best tool to remove adware from Android and iOS. You can also do it manually with these steps:

1. Go to your smartphone's app list
2. Scroll through the apps and find the ones you did not download
3. Tap on the suspicious app and remove it

If you followed the manual steps but Google Chrome keeps behaving strangely, you may need to reset it to the factory settings.

How to remove adware from Chrome

If the steps above fail to remove malware from Chrome, try resetting its settings to factory default, changing the ad permissions, and removing unwanted extensions. Here's how:

Step 1. Reset your browser settings

1. Open Chrome and click on the three dots in the upper right corner
2. Go to Settings > Reset settings
3. Click on Restore settings to their original defaults.
4. Click on Reset setting to confirm.

Step 2. Change default ads permissions

1. Go to Chrome settings
2. Go to Privacy and security settings > Site settings
3. Click on pop-ups and redirects and select “don’t allow sites to send pop-ups and redirects”
4. Go back to Site settings > Additional content settings
5. Click on Intrusive ads and choose “Ads are blocked on sites known to show intrusive or misleading ads”

Step 3. Remove unwanted browser extensions

1. Launch Chrome and click on the Puzzle icon to the right of the search bar
2. Select the unwanted extension from the list and click three dots right of it
3. Click the Remove from Chrome

Final thoughts

Chrome malware is nothing to joke about. Because many use this browser for online banking, shopping, and private conversations, Chrome spyware is particularly nasty and can even result in financial loss. That's why we recommend removing malware from Chrome as soon as you identify you have caught one.

Using an antivirus is the most efficient way to clean your Chrome and prevent future infections. We recommend TotalAV for its flawless malware detection rates and real-time protection, which watches over you online. This safety feature scans your downloads for virus-like behavior and blocks them upon noticing a threat.

---

You may also like to read:
How to remove Yahoo Search from Chrome in 2024
Best ad blockers for Chrome in 2024
Best free VPN for Chrome in 2024
Best VPN browser extension in 2024

---

FAQ

How to remove browser hijacker from Chrome

The best way to remove a browser hijacker from Chrome is by using a professional third-party antivirus like TotalAV. Launch your antivirus and choose the full system scan option that will check the entire device for viruses, including Chrome browser hijackers, and remove them.

How to scan Chrome for malware

Google Chrome has a built-in Attachment Manager and Safe Browsing features that alert of risky downloads and suspicious websites. However, these features are limited and cannot identify all online threats. Subscribe to and install antivirus software with real-time online protection to be completely safe online.

Will resetting Chrome completely remove the malware?

That depends. Resetting Chrome to factory settings will return it to its fresh installation state. That means it will remove third-party extensions, default the homepage and search engine, and clear history, cache, and cookies. This removes malware from the Chrome browser environment but can still display fake pop-ups or website redirects if your operating system has a virus.

Is it possible to remove Malware from Chrome for free?

Yes, you can remove malware from Chrome for free by following the steps outlined in this article. However, you will likely have to reset it to the original settings and lose the extensions, cookies, and cache. Subscribing to an affordable antivirus like TotalAV ensures device-wide safety without compromising your Chrome setup.