How to Find and Remove Harm­ful Soft­ware on Chrome

Steps to Find and Remove Harm­ful Soft­ware on Chrome with Built-in Cleanup Tool

Like other web browsers, Chrome also encounters all sorts of problems with malicious extensions and other forms of potentially unwanted software. And for a long time, when something terrible happened you had to jump through different hoops to fix things. Often, a complete reset or reinstall was almost always on the cards. The release of the Chrome Cleanup tool changed everything.

Download and run the Chrome Cleanup tool to get rid of Atal extensions and other malicious malware. It was effortless, but Google didn't hold it for very long. In an effort to make things more convenient, Chrome now integrates the tool inside.

Did you still detect it? How does it work and when should it be used? Understandably, there can be many questions. So without further ado, let's take a look at how to use the Chrome Cleanup Tool, and then discuss when to use it.

HOW TO FIND AND REMOVE HARM­FUL SOFT­WARE ON CHROME WITH BUILT-IN CLEANUP TOOL
HOW TO FIND AND REMOVE HARM­FUL SOFT­WARE ON CHROME


Detecting and removing malicious software

The Chrome Cleanup Tool, after integrating directly with Google Chrome, is aptly listed as an option labeled 'Find and Remove Malicious Software' in the browser's Advanced Settings panel.

Functionally, the tool works quite simply - instruct it to run and it automatically scans and removes unwanted extensions, inappropriate configurations, malicious system processes, and other potentially unwanted software on your computer.

Unlike dedicated anti-virus applications, the cleanup tool only removes software that directly affects Chrome. So don't think of it as a system-wide security replacement.

So how can you get it? Type 'chrome: // settings / cleanup' in the address bar of a new tab, and then press Enter to open the tool immediately.


Find and remove Chrome malicious software 1

Note: An option to get the built-in cleaning tool, still a long way is to click Advanced in the settings panel (click Settings in the Chrome menu). Next, scroll down all the way down, and then click Clear Computer.

To scan malicious software, click Find. But before you do that, consider turning off the slider next to the reporting report to Google if you don't want the tool to send the results of any malicious software or extensions found on your system to the Chrome development team.


Find and remove Chrome malicious software

Once you start a scan, the whole process takes some time to complete. The tool will ask permission to remove you if it detects malicious software. Click Remove when prompted to do so.

As you can see, there is nothing complicated about the whole thing and you should have a more stable and secure browser later.


When to find out and remove malicious software

Over the years, Chrome has made significant improvements in maintaining its integrity against malicious attacks. Therefore, you rarely have to think about running a built-in cleanup tool. The checklist below will help you find instances where you need to take matters into your own hands.


Extension that refuses to uninstall

Have you downloaded an innocuous-looking extension that doesn't work as expected? If you can't remove it, it probably has malicious intent. Go ahead and start the cleanup tool and the extension should be deleted automatically.

In the future, check Web Store user reviews and ratings before installing extensions. This way, you avoid installing malware that disguises itself about their true nature.

Note: It's also a good idea to refrain from side-loading extensions outside of the web store, unless you really have to.

Link to hijacked homepage and redirect instructions

Did your Chrome homepage suddenly change? Or are you getting questions from a search engine that you've never heard before? If it is no longer possible to try to get back to your default homepage or search engine, you have a hijacked browser. And the solution? Start scanning for malicious software.

MySearch, for example, is a notorious browser hijacker that produces poor or malicious search results. Typically, these types of things happen due to suspicious bloatware that installs free programs as well. Therefore, always make sure to uncheck any additional tools or utilities that certain installation wizards try to slip without noticing.


Strange pop-ups or constant ads

Do you get frequent pop-up notifications or weird looking ads? Specifically, who bothers you to download some safety equipment or you want to claim a prize from a draw where you did not participate?

If they start appearing on sites you trust, it's best to go clean. And to prevent such problems from recurring, refrain from downloading and installing suspicious extensions or software.


Chrome is running slow enough

If Chrome runs slower than usual, it may be due to a malicious process that uses system resources by running in the background of the browser. You should definitely consider cleaning tools in such cases.

Other types of abnormal behavior, such as constant freezing or crashes, require you to be aware that it is time to turn on and run the cleaning tool.

Google Chrome's built-in cleanup tool is a time saver because you don't have to fix stuff yourself. Of course, there may still be instances where the browser may be reset on the cards, but for most problems, the strategy should be fixed if Chrome itself is persuaded to detect and remove the malicious software.

But before you call it a day, consider running a dedicated malware scanner if you find malicious software. The cleanup tool cannot remove all traces of malicious programs, so it is always best to stay on the safe side.

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