‘Chrome’ is a browser hijacker and is also considered as a Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP). It penetrates into system without notice of computer users. The moment it entered the computer, it will begin to target main web browser by making unnecessary changes to settings. ‘Chrome’ extension can modify homepage, new tab page, and search engine and set to default using its own address Flighttabpro.com.
‘Chrome’ fake extension is risky
Unwanted application such as ‘Chrome’ can cause risks because it has the ability to track data from the browser like search history, visited URL’s, or even stored personal information stored. Moreover, ‘Chrome’ adware acts like any other browser hijacker that triggers intrusive advertisements and sudden redirection to other web pages while browsing. Accessing malicious sites caused by ‘Chrome’ can be risky for web users since it can collect data from its visitors that can be used for cybercrime purposes.
Intrusive ads originating from ‘Chrome’ fake extension can link internet users to other websites, which can be unreliable and malicious. While surfing on the internet, online users may encounter pop-ups. When clicked, it will redirect to other web pages having malicious or unexpected contents. ‘Chrome’ extension causes these instances to infected browsers as long as it is installed in a computer. Considering the removal of this threat will be the best option.
More about ‘Chrome’ extension malware
As mentioned earlier, ‘Chrome’ fake extension infiltrates the computer without being detected by users. Misbehavior of browser can be an indication that there is a browser hijacker running on the system. ‘Chrome’ can enter through computers by means of “bundling” where particular programs are offered together for installing and downloading. Some unwanted application does not really reveal their functions or descriptions upon installation. In addition, there are programs that offer optional or extra installs along with it. Possible that ‘Chrome’ operators use this method to spread their malicious software.
Thorough checking is important before proceeding into downloading or installing programs on the computer. Awareness is necessary to prevent exposure to malware and cyber attacks.
Procedures to Remove 'Chrome' from Mac
This section contains comprehensive guide for Mac users. It will help you remove malicious browser hijacker from Google Chrome browser. Procedures on this page are written in a manner that can be easily understand and execute by Mac users.
To remove 'Chrome' from Mac, follow the steps below. Procedures for PC is also available.
- Quick Fix : Scan the Mac computer with the Combo Cleaner.
- Step 1 : Remove malicious browser extensions.
- Step 2 : Uninstall 'Chrome' from the Applications folder.
- Step 3 : Delete 'Chrome' files from your Mac computer.
- Step 4 : Run another scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.
- Step 5 : Remove 'Chrome' entries from internet browsers.
Quick Fix - Scan the System with Combo Cleaner
Combo Cleaner is a trusted Mac utility application with complete antivirus and optimization features. It is useful in dealing with adware, malware, and PUP's. Moreover, it can get rid of malicious browser hijacker like 'Chrome'. You may need to purchase full version if you require to maximize its premium features.
1. Download the tool from the following page:
2. Double-click the downloaded file and proceed with the installation.
3. In the opened window, drag and drop the Combo Cleaner icon onto your Applications folder icon.
4. Open your Launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon.
5. Wait until antivirus downloads its latest virus definition updates and click on "Start Combo Scan" to start removing 'Chrome'.
6. Free features of Combo Cleaner include Disk Cleaner, Big Files finder, Duplicate files finder, and Uninstaller. To use antivirus and privacy scanner, users have to upgrade to a premium version.
Proceed with the rest of the removal steps if you are comfortable manually removing malicious objects associated with the threat.
Step 1 : Delete Suspicious Google Chrome Extension on Mac
Most adware and unwanted programs are using a program called browser extension to be able to take over the settings of internet applications. Therefore, we highly recommend to check and remove the extension that is closely related to 'Chrome'.
1. Open Google Chrome browser.
2. Type chrome://extensions/ in the address bar and press Enter on keyboard.
3. Find 'Chrome' or relevant entry and remove it from Google Chrome.
If unable to remove 'Chrome' because browser is "Managed by your Organization", follow these steps:
1. Activate the Developer mode on Extensions window by using the slider.
2. Then, copy or take note of the browser Extension ID.
3. Open Finder on your Mac and go to the following directory:
~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/Default/Extensions
4. Once you opened the directory, find the folder that matches the Extension ID and delete it.
5. Please restart your Google Chrome browser.
Aside from this straightforward workaround, we have a separate comprehensive guide to fix the Managed by Organization issue. You can also execute that guide if the steps on this page are not enough to delete 'Chrome'.
Step 2 : Delete 'Chrome' from Mac Applications
1. Go to Finder.
2. On the menu, click Go and then, select Applications from the list to open Applications Folder.
3. Find 'Chrome' or any unwanted program.
4. Drag 'Chrome' to Trash Bin to delete the application from Mac.
5. Right-click on Trash icon and click on Empty Trash.
Step 3 : Delete Malicious Files that have installed 'Chrome'
1. Select and copy the string below to your Clipboard by pressing Command + C on your keyboard.
~/Library/LaunchAgents
2. Go to your Finder. From the menu bar please select Go > Go to Folder...
3. Press Command + V on your keyboard to paste the copied string. Press Return to go to the said folder.
4. You will now see a folder named LaunchAgents. Take note of the following files inside the folder:
- unknown.download.plist
- unknown.ltvbit.plist
- unknown.update.plist
- com.unknown
The term unknown is just a representation of the actual malware name. It is normally an unfamiliar file name such as the following:
- Chrome App
If you cannot find the specified file, please look for any unfamiliar or suspicious entries. It may be the one causing 'Chrome' to be present on your Mac. Arranging all items to see the most latest ones may also help you identify recently installed unfamiliar files. Please press Option + Command + 4 on your keyboard to arrange the application list in chronological order.
Important: Take note of all the suspicious files as you may also delete the same item on another folder as we go on.
5. Drag all suspicious files that you may find to Trash.
6. Please restart the computer.
7. Open another folder using the same method as above. Copy and Paste the following string to easily locate the folder.
~/Library/Application Support
8. Look for any suspicious items that are similar to the ones in Step 4. Drag them to the Trash.
9. Repeat the process on the following non-hidden folders (without ~):
/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
/Library/Application Support
/Library/Preferences
Optional : For locked files that cannot be removed, do the following:
1. Go to Launchpad, Utilities folder, open Activity Monitor.
2. Select the process you want to quit.
3. Click on Force Quit button.
4. You may now delete or remove locked files that belongs to 'Chrome' homepage hijacker.
Step 4 : Double-check with MBAM Tool for Mac
1. Download Malwarebytes Anti-malware for Mac from the link below.
2. Run Malwarebytes Anti-malware for Mac. It will check for updates and download if most recent version is available. This is necessary in finding recent malware threats including 'Chrome'.
3. If it prompts to close all running web browser, please do so. Thus, we advise you to PRINT this guide for your reference before going offline.
4. Once it opens the user interface, please click on Scan button to start scanning your Mac computer.
5. After the scan, Malwarebytes Anti-malware for Mac will display a list of identified threats, 'Chrome' is surely part of it. Be sure to select all items in the list. Then, click Remove button to clean the computer.
Step 5 : Remove 'Chrome' from Homepage and Search
Google Chrome
- Open Chrome browser.
- Type the following on the address bar and press Enter on keyboard : chrome://settings/
- Look for 'On Startup' area.
- Select 'Open a specific page or set of pages'.
- Click on More Actions and select Edit.
- Enter the desired web address as your home page, replacing 'Chrome'. Click Save.
- To set default search engine, go to Search Engine area.
- Click on 'Manage search engines...' button.
- Go to questionable Search Engine. Click on More Actions and Click 'Remove from list'.
- Go back to Search Engine area and choose valid entry from Search engine used in the address bar.
'Chrome' Removal Procedure for PC
Below is a systematic instruction that is very useful in getting rid of the potentially unwanted program (PUP) from compromised computer. In order to totally eliminate the threat, it is vital to follow the process in exact manner.
Remove 'Chrome' from the PC by executing these steps:
Quick Fix - Scan the PC with Combo Cleaner
Combo Cleaner is a trusted PC utility application with complete antivirus and optimization features. It is useful in dealing with adware, malware, and PUP's. Moreover, it can get rid of malicious browser extension like 'Chrome' that is responsible for displaying unknown homepage and pop-ups.
To quickly remove 'Chrome' without going through the complicated process, please click on the button to download the removal tool. You may need to purchase full version if you require to maximize its premium features.
Proceed with the rest of the removal steps if you are comfortable manually removing malicious objects associated with the threat. The following guides are also vital in deleting malicious items from the browser configuration.
Step 1 : Get Rid of Unwanted Google Chrome Extension
The above procedures should have totally eliminated the browser hijacker. However, if you still find that there are still remnants of 'Chrome' on internet application, please proceed to manual removal of associated objects as outlined below.
1. Open Google Chrome browser.
2. Type chrome://extensions/ in the address bar and press Enter on keyboard.
3. Find 'Chrome' or relevant entry and remove it from Google Chrome.
If you cannot remove 'Chrome' because "Your Browser is Managed by your Organization", do the following:
1. Activate the Developer mode on Extensions window by using the slider.
2. Then, copy or take note of the browser Extension ID.
3. Open Windows Explorer and locate the following folder:
C:\Users\(Your Username)\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions
4. After opening the Folder, find the item that matches the Extension ID and delete it.
5. Please restart your Google Chrome browser.
Aside from this straightforward workaround, we have a separate comprehensive guide to fix the Managed by Organization issue. You can also execute that guide if the steps on this page are not enough to delete 'Chrome'.
Step 2 : Scan the computer with Sophos Antivirus
To remove 'Chrome' automatically, scanning the computer with this powerful anti-virus tool is recommended. This scanner does not just uncover known threats like viruses or malware, it is also effective in discovering browser hijacker like 'Chrome' that slows down online browsing activities.
1. Download Sophos Virus Removal Tool from the link below. Save the file on your computer where you can easily access it.
2. Once the download completes, browse the location of the file. Double-click to run the program and begin the install process.
3. On first windows of installation wizard, click Next to continue. Then, it will display the program’s License Agreement. You need to Accept the terms in order to proceed. If Windows prompts for User Account Control, please click Yes to proceed.
4. On succeeding windows, click Next or Continue to carry on with the installation. After completing the installation process, Launch Sophos Virus Removal Tool.
5. Internet connection is required when running this scanner in order to download important updates. Make sure that everything is up-to-date to effectively remove malicious program like 'Chrome'.
6. Click the button to carry out the Scan. This will check the system for presence of malicious objects, malware, and viruses. The tool reveals items that were found linked to 'Chrome'+ and other suspicious entities. Be sure to remove all identified threats.
The above procedures should have totally eliminated the 'Chrome' browser hijacker. However, if you found that there are still remnants of the threat, please proceed to manual removal of associated objects as outlined below.
Step 3 : Scan with AdwCleaner and Reset Chrome Policies
In addition to the procedure, we suggest scanning the computer with AdwCleaner tool. Possibly, there are some traces of 'Chrome' on the browser that was not deleted during the preceding steps. This tool will scan the computer and check for presence of malicious applications.
1. Follow the link below to download the tool called AdwCleaner.
2. When the download has completed, please close all running programs on the computer, especially browsers affected by 'Chrome'.
3. Browse the location of the downloaded file and double-click on adwcleaner_Ver.exe to start running the tool. Then, click on the scan button.
4. On the AdwCleaner Dashboard, click on Settings.
5. While in the Settings window, please turn On the Reset Chrome Policies option.
6. Go back to the Dashboard and click the Scan button.
7. AdwCleaner searches the computer for malicious programs, extensions, plug-ins, adware, and any items that may be associated with 'Chrome'.
8. Clean or Remove all suspicious and harmful items identified after the thorough scan.
9. After the cleanup procedure, rebooting the computer is required to finalize the removal of detected threats.
