Google Chrome is one browser that is being targeted the most by malware authors. This is maybe because it is now the most-used browser all over the world. If Google Chrome is affected by an unknown extension or adware, users may experience frequent pop-up ads and redirects. The new tab also opens an unknown web address that usually promotes various products.
If adware or malware stays on the browser even for a while, the computer can be at high risk. Malicious programs coming from various hosts may be downloaded onto the compromised PC without the user’s knowledge. Most adware and malware are installed in the background without any traces. So, to avoid such a hazard, we highly promote the immediate removal of malicious programs from Google Chrome. You can remove malware extensions from Google Chrome using the guide in this post.
More signs that Google Chrome is infected with adware
- An unknown web address is controlling the homepage and the new tab window.
- When searching online, adware will redirect the searches to unwanted websites.
- Google Chrome adware is responsible for the display of excessive ads.
- The adware occasionally redirects a web page to a questionable URL.
- Slowing down the internet connection is also one symptom of a Google Chrome adware infection.
- The adware adds an additional toolbar to Google Chrome even without the user’s permission.
Procedures to remove Adware from Google Chrome
This guide doesn’t require technical expertise to successfully remove adware from Google Chrome. All you have to do is follow what is exactly stated in the procedures and use the recommended tools. Keep in mind to download tools and software only from the official web page, as stated in this guide.
Step 1 : Scan with Combo Cleaner
Combo Cleaner is a trusted PC security and optimization tool equipped with a powerful virus and malware detection engine. This program can get rid of adware and other malicious browser infections.
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 adware, 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 adware, 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.
Please continue with the succeeding removal procedures if you are comfortable manually getting rid of the threat and malicious items linked to it.
Step 2 : Uninstall unwanted programs
Most of the time, the presence of malicious browser extension is attributed to the installation of unwanted programs. Therefore, checking the computer for unwanted program and removing it is important in order to totally remove adware from Google Chrome.
1. On your keyboard, press Windows Key + R. Type the appwiz.cpl command and click OK.
2. The Program and Features window will open. Arrange the list in a chronological manner, with recently installed applications on top. To do this, click on the 'Installed On' column.
3. Select adware or a recently installed suspicious entry from the list.
4. Click on Uninstall to remove it from the Windows system.
Step 3 : Remove malicious browser extension
Most adware and unwanted programs use an application called “browser extensions” to be able to take over the settings of Google Chrome. Therefore, we highly recommend checking and removing adware from the browser. If it is not present, look for and delete any suspicious browser extension.
1. Open the Google Chrome browser.
2. Input the strings below in the address bar and press Enter on the keyboard:
chrome://extensions/
3. Find adware or a relevant entry and remove it from Google Chrome.
Step 4 : Fix the homepage and search engine
1. Open the Google Chrome browser. Type or copy and paste the following on the address bar: Then, press Enter on the keyboard:
chrome://settings
2. Go to the left sidebar and click On Startup.
3. Select “Open a specific page or set of pages” in the right panel.
4. Locate the unwanted Homepage URL, click on More Actions icon (3-dot), and select Remove or Edit.
5. If you choose Edit, enter the desired web address as your home page, replacing the adware settings. Click Save.
6. To set the default search engine, go to the left sidebar, and this time, select Search Engine.
7. Click on the Manage search engines and site search button in the right panel.
8. Find the unwanted Search Engine in the list. Click on More Actions icon, and then click Delete.
9. Go back to the left side bar and click Search Engine.
10. In the right panel, choose a valid entry from the “Search engine used in the address bar.”
You can now restart the Google Chrome browser to see if the unwanted homepage and search engine related to the adware are gone.
Step 5 : Double-check with AdwCleaner (PC Only)
In addition to the procedure, we suggest scanning the computer with AdwCleaner tool. Possibly, there are some traces of adware on the browser that were 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 adware.
3. Browse the location of the downloaded file and double-click on adwcleaner.exe to start running the tool.
4. If Windows displays a prompt saying, "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?" click Yes to proceed.
5. On the AdwCleaner dashboard, click on Settings.
6. While in the Settings window, please turn On the Reset Chrome Policies and Reset IE Policies.
7. Go back to the Dashboard and click the Scan Now button.
8. AdwCleaner searches the computer for malicious programs, extensions, plug-ins, adware, and any items that may be associated with adware.
9. Clean or Remove all suspicious and harmful items identified after the thorough scan.
10. AdwCleaner will then prompt an option to run another repair, which will reset Winsock and other settings. Please click the Run Basic Repair button.
11. A message will appear stating that "All processes will be closed..." Please click Continue.
12. After the cleanup procedure, rebooting the computer is required to finalize the removal of adware as well as other detected threats.
