Adware in Chrome: 5 Easy Steps to Clean Your Browser ⚡🧹

Imagine you're browsing the web on your computer as usual, and suddenly, a pop-up ad asks you to install an extension. Of course, you declined to install the extension, but a few minutes later, your browser's default search engine and homepage changed.

Your computer is likely infected with adware that won't stop until you get rid of it. These annoying pieces of code will attempt to install other harmful adware and unwanted extensions, and may even alter your browser settings. In the worst case, your computer will be a target for malware and virus attacks. 🦠💻

Signs of Adware in Google Chrome

If your Google Chrome browser is affected by adware, you'll face some problems. Here are some of the early signs of adware in a web browser.

Pop-up ads that appear out of nowhere.
Ads on the new tab page.
Your home page has changed without your consent.
Unwanted extensions in Chrome Extensions Manager.
The browser redirects you to different pages full of spam.
Alerts about a virus or an infected device.

Your first step should be to remove adware from Google Chrome. This will help ensure your computer is free from associated security risks.

The best way to tell if you have a malicious extension is to check your extensions list. First, navigate to Chrome's extensions settings and uninstall any extensions you don't recognize.

1. Identify and Remove Chrome Extensions

The first step is to identify and remove the infected Chrome extension. Follow these steps to get rid of the adware extension.

1. Open your Google Chrome browser and click on the three vertical points.

2. A drop-down menu will appear. Scroll down and click More Tools > Extensions.

3. This will open the Google Chrome Extensions Manager. You must check the list to find suspicious extensions.

If you don't know a particular extension, it's most likely adware disguised as a regular extension.

4. To remove a specific Chrome extension, you need to press the button Eliminate.

2. Reset Google Chrome Settings

Google has taken action against adware by alerting you to potential intrusions. However, this isn't always effective, as adware sometimes bypasses browser defenses and modifies settings without you even noticing.

The solution may seem very simple. However, it's an unusual method: resetting Google Chrome settings to reactivate its defenses.

1. Open the Google Chrome browser and click on the three points.

2. In the list of options, click Configuration.

3. On the Settings page, expand the option for Advanced as shown below.

4. In the expanded menu, click on the option Reset and Clean.

5. On the right, click on the option Restore settings to their original values.

6. In the confirmation window, click the button Reset Settings.

3. Use ADWCleaner

Malwarebytes' ADWCleaner is a lightweight yet powerful adware removal tool you can use today. The great thing about ADWCleaner is that it can remove hidden adware from your computer and browser. 🧹✨

If your browser's homepage has recently changed without your permission, this mini-tool can fix it. Here's how to use AdwCleaner to remove adware from Google Chrome.

1. Visit the ADWcleaner homepage and download the file. You can also get the download file here.

2. Next, open the app and click on InstallThe tool takes a few seconds to install on Windows.

3. Once installed, open AdwCleaner, and you will see an interface like the following.

4. You need to click on the button Scan, and the tool will scan for hidden malware and adware.

5. Wait while the tool scans for hidden adware. It will also list potential adware during the scanning process.

6. Once completed, The tool will automatically remove hidden malware and you will receive a notification.

4. Use Adware Removal Tool

Like AdwCleaner, there are other adware removal tools for PCs. You can use any of them to remove hidden adware from your system.

It is recommended to periodically scan your system with adware removal tools for an adware-free experience.

5. Reinstall Chrome Browser

If you still can't get rid of ads in your Google Chrome browser, reinstalling it is your only hope. This will likely remove all user settings, extensions, and potential adware.

However, before reinstalling Google Chrome, scan your PC with an anti-malware tool like Malwarebytes. This will remove programs that silently install adware on Chrome as an extension.

So, open the Control Panel and uninstall the Google Chrome browser. Once uninstalled, run a full anti-malware scan with Malwarebytes and reinstall the Chrome browser.

How to Avoid Adware/Malware in the Future

There are a few things you can do to prevent malware infections in the future. Below, we share some of them. 👇

Don't click on any banner or link that seems too good to be true. 🙅‍♂️
Pay attention to banners that claim to offer rewards or that you can win a contest.
Don't install extensions with low ratings and few reviews.
Do not download files from untrusted websites.
Enables the Enhanced Protection feature in the Google Chrome browser.
Always use a reliable and powerful anti-malware tool on your PC.

These methods will allow you to identify and Quickly remove adware from your Chrome browserI hope this article helped you! Please share it with your friends, too. If you have any questions, let us know in the comments below. 🤝💬