Hotcleaner.com: remove it in 1 click and save Chrome ⚠️
Some Windows users have been redirected to the Hotcleaner.com website, where it is stated that the Privacy Test extension has been updated to the latest version.
If you know nothing about this and are wondering if hotcleaner.com is safe, keep reading this article to clear up your doubts.
Is Hotcleaner.com safe?
To clarify the situation, you should know that the "Privacy Test Updated Successfully" pop-up window that appears when you start Chrome is caused by a virus called Hotcleaner.
The website you are viewing is considered a browser hijacker and is installed via an extension. This hijacker affects the performance and functionality of Google Chrome.
A full scan with antimalware will not remove the hotcleaner.com virus from your Chrome browser; you will have to find the extension manually and uninstall it.
How to remove the Hotcleaner.com virus from Google Chrome
Removing the hotcleaner.com virus from Google Chrome is easy if you follow these detailed steps below.
1. Remove the Privacy Test extension
The Privacy Test extension is the real cause of the Hotcleaner.com virus in your Chrome browser.
Removing this extension will return your homepage to normal. Follow these instructions to uninstall Privacy Test in Google Chrome:
- Open the Google Chrome browser.
- In the address bar, type chrome://extensions and press Enter.
- Activate mode Developer which is located in the upper right corner.
- Look for the extension called Privacy Test (ID: pdabfienifkbhoihedcgeogidfmibmhp).
- When you find it, click on Eliminate.
- Confirm the deletion by clicking again on Eliminate in the confirmation message.
Close Google Chrome and restart it for the changes to take effect.
With this, the Privacy Test extension will disappear from your browser and you will no longer see the hotcleaner.com pop-up window.
2. Perform a full scan with Malwarebytes
The latest version of Malwarebytes can detect and Remove browser hijackers, including the virus hotcleaner.com. To do this, perform a full scan on your PC following these steps:
Download and install Malwarebytes On your computer, open it and press the scan button on the main interface to start the analysis.
3. Uninstall suspicious programs from your PC
The Hotcleaner.com virus can infect your system through recently installed programs. Therefore, review the applications you've added recently and remove any that seem suspicious.
- Open the control Panel on your PC.
- Select the option Programs and features.
- Look for recently installed programs.
- When you identify a suspicious program, right-click on it and select Uninstall.
4. Reset Google Chrome to its default settings
If none of the above methods have worked, resetting Chrome is the final solution to remove the hotcleaner.com virus. Follow these steps to do so:
1. Open Chrome settings and select Reset settings.
2. Click on the option Restore settings to their original default values.
3. In the confirmation message, press Reset settings.
This article has clearly explained whether hotcleaner.com is safe and how to remove this virus. Do you have more questions or need additional help? 💬 Leave your comment below and we'll get back to you soon.
