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In this guide to how to remove malware from Chrome, I’ll explain how to tell if you’ve been infected and exactly what you can do about it.
Malware poses a serious risk to your online safety. The very least it will do is steal your bandwidth and processing power, and if you don’t remove it, you run the risk of having your accounts hacked and your identity stolen, which could cost you thousands. I’ll explain how to stay safe, remove Chrome malware, and avoid Chrome hijacking using the best antivirus software available.
What is a Google Chrome Virus?
A Google Chrome virus is a type of malware known as a browser hijacker. Once it’s in your browser, it can undertake several damaging actions, including:
- Changing browser settings and configurations
- Spamming you with intrusive ads, such as banners and popups
- Redirecting you to malicious websites
- Sending your personal data to cyber criminals
- Adding other types of malware to your device
- Corrupting and deleting files on an infected device
To tackle viruses like this, you’ll need to perform a full scan with reliable antivirus software, such as TotalAV, and reset your ad and browser settings in Chrome. If this doesn’t solve the problem, you may need to clear the browser from your device entirely.
What is a Chromium Virus?
The Chromium virus is a virus that uses the open-source Chromium browser’s code to masquerade as a legitimate version of Chrome or Chromium.
This can mean all the information you enter in the browser can be tracked, the browser can direct you to dangerous sites, and it can control your apps and extensions.
What is the Chrome.exe Virus?
The Chrome.exe virus is a variant of the Poweliks Trojan, which is a piece of fileless malware that hides itself in the user’s registry. It makes itself harder to detect by taking the name of the Chrome .exe process.
It launches intrusive advertising and may consume all your system resources, resulting in your device becoming unstable.
Chrome Malware and Adware Removal Guide
Malware can be used to spy on users, steal sensitive information, infect and damage systems and files, and spam users with pop-up ads.
Chrome is vulnerable to malware infection and adware. In this guide, I’ll explain how to remove adware from Chrome along with other types of malware.
If you’re concerned about protecting a Chromebook device, we also have a complete guide for the best antivirus for Chromebook.
1. Run a Full System Scan
If you’re concerned about something on your device, the first step in how to get rid of malware on Chrome is to run a full-system Chrome virus scan. Here’s how to run a full system scan with TotalAV:
Open TotalAV and click on the TotalAV logo in the left-hand menu. If you don’t have an account, go to the TotalAV site to sign up.
Run a System Scan
Next, go to Malware Scan and click System Scan.
TotalAV will now undertake a full scan of your computer. If it finds a virus, it’ll remove it or put it in the Quarantine Virus Vault to prevent it from infecting other files and applications on your system.
2. Change Your Default Ad Permissions
Malware pop-ups and ad spam are some of the most annoying things about having a Chrome virus. Reports show that adware is one of the most common types of malware. You don’t necessarily need a specialist Chrome adware remover to fix the problem, however.
Here’s your first step of how to go about adware removal in Chrome by changing your default ad permissions.
Go to Chrome Settings
First, open Chrome. Click More – the three dots in the top right of the screen – and go to Settings.
Go to Additional content settings
Once there, click on Privacy and security, then Site settings, then Additional content settings, and finally on Intrusive ads.
Block intrusive ads
Once you’ve arrived at Intrusive ads, make sure you check the blocked ads box.
3. Reset Your Browser Settings
A further step for how to get rid of viruses on Google Chrome is to consider resetting your search engine settings. If you reset your browser settings you can undo any changes cyber criminals may have made to your browser.
To reset your settings in Chrome, simply:
Go to Chrome Settings
Open Chrome on your device and click More in the top right of the screen, with the three dots icon. Then, click Settings and Reset settings in the left or type it into the bar at the top.
Confirm the reset
Click Restore settings to their original defaults and confirm, and your settings will be reset. This should remove all Google Chrome adware from your browser.
At this point, you can double-check to make sure your browser and your system are up to date and running the latest versions available.
How Do You Know You Have Chrome Malware?
If malware has infected your Chrome browser, there are some signs you can look out for. These include:
- You’re redirected to insecure sites – Cybercriminals infect websites with malicious code and use them to steal information and upload malware to your device. If you’re getting redirected to insecure sites, such as those with “http” rather than “https” in the URL, you may have been infected by Chrome browser malware.
- Irritating pop-ups – Keep getting spammed by unwanted pop-ups? This is one of the key signs your browser has been infected with malware.
- Changes to your browser – If you’ve found unexpected or malicious extensions or you’ve noticed changes to your browser’s homepage or default search engine then your browser may have been hijacked.
- High memory consumption – Chrome can be demanding, but if your system is slowing to a crawl because of the browser then malware may be to blame.
- Chrome running more than once – If you’re seeing multiple versions of the Chrome.exe running in your task manager, there may be a virus impersonating Chrome on your system. Normally, each browser tab will be represented as a separate instance of the program, but they’ll all be batched together.
- Alerts – One of the most obvious signs you’ve been infected is if you’re getting warning messages telling you that you have a virus or that processes are being blocked by an antivirus program.
How Did Malware Get on Your Chrome Browser?
There are a number of ways malware can get on the Google Chrome browser. Getting an antivirus is an important first step, but I also recommend using a VPN to further secure your connection. See our guide to the best antiviruses with VPN for recommendations.
Malicious websites
A malicious website is one of the ways your browser and device can be infected.
Cyber criminals can use websites to harvest user information and upload viruses and malicious apps to browsers and devices.
Malicious files
Downloads are one of the top ways malware gets onto devices and infects browsers.
To avoid accidentally downloading an infected file and being exposed to malicious programs, be very wary of downloading files from unknown or untrusted sources. If you’re ever concerned about a program, run a virus scan.
Malicious software
Over 450,000 new forms of malware are registered every day. Infected software downloads and malicious browser extensions are one way that many people inadvertently infect their browsers.
As with file transfers, it’s a good idea to only download software from highly trusted sources and app stores to stop your browser or device being infected with malware.
Spam emails
Phishing emails are one of the most common types of cyberattacks today.
Cyber criminals send emails that appear to come from legitimate sources, such as your bank or Netflix, but if you click on a link in the message you’ll allow the crooks to upload malware to your system.
Antivirus Software for Chrome Virus Scans
Alongside our team of cybersecurity experts, I’ve tested a wide range of the best antivirus software for Chrome virus scans. Here are some of the top solutions on the market for securing your system.
They offer excellent performance, usability, and protection ratings and have been highly rated both in my testing and in independent third-party assessments. For alternatives and additional Chrome malware removal recommendations, check out our guides to the best malware removal solutions and the best free antiviruses.
| Chrome Antivirus Software | Starting Price | Test Results | Max Devices | Compatibility | Free Version / Trial |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TotalAV | $19/year | Protection: 5.5/6, Performance: 5.5/6, Usability: 6/6 | 8 | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android | Free scans |
| Norton | $29.99/year | Protection: 6/6, Performance: 6/6, Usability: 6/6 | Unlimited | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android | 30-day trial |
| Intego | $37.50/year | Protection: 5.5/6, Performance: 5/6, Usability: 6/6 | 5 | Mac, Windows | 30-day trial |
| Trend Micro | $19.95/year | Protection: 6/6, Performance: 6/6, Usability: 6/6 | 10 | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Chromebook | 30-day trial |
| ESET | $34.99/year | Protection: 6/6, Performance: 6/6, Usability: 6/6 | 10 | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android | 30-day trial |
Summary – How to Remove Chrome Malware
If you think your Chrome browser has been infected with malware, you should act fast. However, removing malware from Chrome doesn’t have to be a headache.
Undertaking a full malware scan with a leading antivirus tool like TotalAV is a crucial first step, and you can then look at resetting your browser settings or removing the app, if needed.
Blocking and removing viruses is essential for protecting yourself when you’re using Chrome – and ignoring warning signs could be a costly mistake.
FAQs
How do you remove malware from Chrome?
What is a Google Chrome virus?
How can you tell you have Chrome malware?
Is Chromium a virus?
Will removing and reinstalling Chrome remove malware?
References
- The Seven Most Common Types of Malware You will Learn to Fight (IT College)
- AV-Test Malware Statistics (AV-Test)
- TotalAV test results (AV-Test)
- Norton Internet Security test results (AV-Test)
- ESET Smart Security test results (AV-Test)
- Trend Micro Titanium Maximum Security test results (AV-Test)
- Intego Mac Internet Security X9 test results (AV-Test)
