Push notifications, also known as Google Chrome pop-ups, are usually alerts or messages generated by the application to inform users of updates, news, or anything else that may be of concern. Aside from Google Chrome itself, users may also receive push notifications from websites as long as they are allowed to send push notifications via this internet browser.
These pop-up notifications from Google Chrome are probably the most efficient way for web users to receive messages regularly, even if the browser is closed or not active. The push notification will be visible in certain areas of the screen, typically in the lower-right corner, which gives users a glimpse of the message.
Why are there malicious pop-up notifications?
Because of the effectiveness of push notifications to capture the attention of computer users via the small window appearing on the screen, cybercriminals found a way to exploit it for their fraudulent activities. They are using different methods in order to lure users into allowing their website URL to be allowed to use this feature.
The people behind the malicious pop-up notifications are exploiting the feature for various purposes. Promoting a rogue program is one example. Simply sending a misleading virus alert through Google Chrome’s pop-up notification may lure users into installing the promoted software.
Sometimes, the pop-up notifications from the Google Chrome browser imitate system alerts, especially for outdated programs. It instructs users to obtain the software update, but instead, what users may download is malware.
The same pop-up is also used by attackers to advertise items that are prohibited on most ad networks, including drugs, adult websites, illegal services, and so on.
How did I get these notification pop-ups?
Normally, the pop-up notifications appearing on the Google Chrome browser are approved or added by the users. Here are the causes:
Visiting malicious sites: When a web user visits a website that is associated with software piracy, cracking tools, or free downloads of movies and audio files, it may display a message saying that it wants to show notifications. Allowing this type of prompt adds the requesting address to websites that are permitted to utilize the push notification of the Google Chrome browser.
Misleading advertisements: There are online advertisements that are controlled by underground operators, and these types of promotions are capable of sending misleading messages to online users. Things like “click here to continue” or “click this to exit” are most often click-baits that can allow certain websites to utilize Google Chrome’s push notification window.
Adware infection: Although we have observed that cases of adware contamination on the computer leading to the display of aggressive push notifications on Google Chrome are decreasing, we cannot disregard this method. In fact, the adware contamination may lead to bigger issues than just excessive pop-up notifications. For this reason, we always recommend a computer scan when removing malicious pop-ups from the computer.
Is it crucial to get rid of Google Chrome’s malicious pop-ups?
As stated, having malicious pop-up ads on the computer can endanger users by making them victims of online frauds. A virus or malware infection is also imminent if these pop-ups continue to show up on the Google Chrome browser. Cleaning the computer is the best solution to these threats, as well as the removal of the offending web address.
Guide to remove malicious pop-ups from Google Chrome
Normally, pop-ups will start to bombard the Google Chrome internet browser screen with pop-ups if a web user is deceived to click the “Allow” button, which triggers the said website to send a push notification. To stop Chrome from showing the pop-ups, please execute the procedures below.
Users can easily remove the aggressive push notifications from the Google Chrome browser. By simply deleting the web address from the browser settings, the website that produces the pop-up will be taken out from the push notification in the browser, whether it is a Computer, Android device, or iOS device.
We must imply that we also need to scan the computer to make sure that it is free from adware, malware, or virus infection. The pop-up or any issue will be persistent if it is caused by an infection. No matter what changes we make to fix the browser, the malicious configuration can be restored by the malware.
Computers
Methods for computer users:
If the malicious pop-up is appearing on the computer whether PC or Mac, following the procedures in this section should eliminate it completely.
Remove malicious URL from browser settings
1. On Google Chrome browser, type or copy and paste the following in the address bar and press Enter on the keyboard:
chrome://settings/content/notifications
2. Scroll down to the list under "Allowed to send notifications" section and look for pop-up.
3. Click the ellipses icon (3-dot) beside pop-up to reveal the options.
4. Click on Block or Remove to stop pop-up from displaying pop-up ads on the Google Chrome browser.
5. Please restart your Google Chrome browser.
Totally block any sites from sending pop-up notifications
1. Assuming that the Google Chrome browser on your computer is open and active, please type or copy and paste the strings below into the address bar and press Enter on the keyboard.
chrome://settings/content/notifications
2. Proceed to the Default Behavior section and select Don't allow sites to send notifications.
3. That should stop any websites from showing pop-up notifications in your computer's Google Chrome browser.
Android Devices
For Android users, do the following:
If your Android device is being bothered by aggressive types of push notifications, please follow our instructions to help you solve this issue easily.
1. The easiest method to remove Google Chrome's malicious pop-up notification from Android device is by clicking on the Unsubscribe button on the pop-up itself. If this option is not available, please proceed to the next steps.
Get rid of push notifications entirely
2. Open the Google Chrome browser on your Android device.
3. Tap on the ellipses icon (3-dot) on the top-right corner of the screen.
4. Select Settings from the drop-down list.
5. On the Settings window, scroll down and tap the Notifications button.
6. If you want to entirely disable the Google Chrome notification on your Android device, just turn off the Show notifications slider.
To stop pop-up and specific URL only
7. Hence, if you need to deactivate push notifications for a specific website or URL only, please scroll down to Sites area.
8. Tap on the specific website address to open the configuration.
9. Next, turn off the Show notifications slider to disable pop-ups from this specific website.
iOS Devices
iOS users should execute these steps:
Computers and Android are not the only devices that are prone to having aggressive push notifications. Even Google Chrome users on iOS devices could encounter these annoying pop-ups. For this reason, we also included a simple explanation for getting rid of aggressive pop-ups from iOS systems.
As of this writing, Google Chrome on iOS device do not allow sending direct push notifications. There are some steps to take, like adding the website to Home Screen in order for it to send notifications. As such, it will be difficult for cyber crooks to take advantage of it to be able to exploit the push notification for ad display. Instead of the pop-up push notification removal, we will instead discuss the method to disable pop-ups on Google Chrome for iOS devices.
Keep in mind that this method is going to block all the pop-ups from Google Chrome on the iOS device. Even valid alerts meant to provide updates to iOS users are obstructed if this option is enabled.1. Open the Google Chrome browser on your iOS device.
2. Click on the ellipses icon (3-dot) to reveal the menu.
3. On the menu, tap the Settings icon.
4. Scroll down and tap on Content Settings.
5. In the next window, tap on the Block Pop-ups area.
6. To block pop-ups from Google Chrome on an iOS device, Turn On the slider button.
Scan your device with Combo Cleaner
Combo Cleaner is a trusted computer security and optimization tool equipped with a powerful virus and malware detection engine. This program can get rid of infections that cause malicious pop-ups to appear on your Computer, Android device, or iOS device.
1. Download the application from the following page:
2. Save the file to your preferred location.
3. Double-click the downloaded file CCSetup.exe and install with the default settings.
4. At the end of the setup process, click Finish to run Combo Cleaner.
5. The tool will update the database file; please wait for this process to complete.
6. To begin checking for threats like pop-up, click on the Start Scan button. Wait for this scan to finish.
7. At the end of the scan process, click on Remove all threats to delete pop-up, including all harmful objects from the computer.
To fully optimize the features of antivirus and privacy scanners, users may have to upgrade to the premium version.
System Compatibility Notice
We made sure that our guide to remove pop-up is compatible with most Microsoft operating systems (Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows 8, Windows 10, and Windows 11), as well as Mac OS. To avoid complexities, the commands used in the procedures are common, usable, and tested. If you found compatibility issues while using this guide, kindly approach us via message form or the comment section below, and we will make sure to respond and make necessary adjustments.
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