ByWhat is adware, and how does it get into Chrome?
Adware is a type of unwanted software that displays unwanted advertisements in your browser. It usually enters Chrome because you download free software, open spam emails, or visit infected websites.
The most effective ways to remove adware from Google Chrome
1. Remove unnecessary extensions from Chrome
Adware often gets installed as browser extensions. To remove it:
1. Open Chrome and click the three-dot menu (⋮).
2. Go to More tools > Extensions.
3. Remove any unknown or suspicious extensions you see.
2. Clear Chrome’s cache and cookies
The cache and cookies may contain Adware scripts saved in them. To remove them:
1. Go to the three-dot menu (⋮) and select Settings.
2. Click Privacy and security > Clear browsing data.
3. Select Cookies, Cached Images, and browsing history and select Clear Data.
3. Reset Chrome to default settings
If adware remains, reset Chrome:
1. Go to Settings > Reset and clean up.
2. Click Restore settings to their original defaults.
3. Press the Reset button.
4. Use Chrome Cleanup Tool
Google Chrome has an in-built Cleanup Tool to find Malware and Adware:
1. Go to Settings > Reset and clean up.
2. Click on Clean up computer.
3. Select the Find harmful software option and run Scan.
5. Use a trusted anti-malware tool
If the Chrome Cleanup Tool doesn’t remove Adware, use trusted anti-malware software such as:
Malwarebytes
AdwCleaner
HitmanPro
Download them and run a Full system scan.
6. Stop suspicious processes from Task Manager
Adware sometimes runs in the background. to stop it:
1. Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
2. Go to the Processes tab and look for processes with suspicious names.
3. Select them and press End task.
7. Check Windows Hosts File
Adware can edit your Hosts file, causing browsers to redirect to wrong sites:
1. Press Windows + R and type notepad C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts.
2. If you see any suspicious IP addresses in the file, delete them and save the file.
8. Reset DNS settings
1. Press Windows + R and type cmd and press Enter.
2. Type the command:
“`
ipconfig /flushdns
“`
3. Press Enter and restart Chrome.
9. Uninstall suspicious programs from the system
1. Press Windows + R, type appwiz.cpl, and press Enter.
2. Go to the Uninstall a Program section and remove the suspicious application.
10. Reinstall Chrome completely
If all the above methods fail to resolve the issue, uninstall Chrome and download it again from Google’s official website.
Security Tips to Avoid Adware
1. Download software only from trusted websites.
2. Read reviews of browser extensions before installing them.
3. Always keep Windows Firewall and Antivirus updated.
4. Avoid clicking on attachments and links in spam emails.
5. Don’t click on pop-up ads.
Want to grow your business organically contact us now
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Removing Adware from Google Chrome
1. What is Adware?
Adware is a type of unwanted software that displays unwanted ads and pop-ups in your browser. It can track your browsing activities and redirect you to unsafe websites.
2. How does Adware get into my Chrome?
Adware usually enters Chrome in the following ways:
Downloading free software
Clicking on links in spam emails
Visiting infected websites
Installing unknown browser extensions
3. How can I remove Adware from Chrome?
You can follow the following steps to remove Adware:
Remove suspicious extensions
Clear browser cache and cookies
Reset Chrome to default settings
Use Chrome Cleanup Tool
Scan with trusted anti-malware software
4. How to use Chrome Cleanup Tool?
1. Open Chrome and go to Settings.
2. Click on Reset and clean up > Clean up computer.
3. Select the Find harmful software option and Scan.
5. Which anti-malware tool is best?
The following anti-malware tools are best for removing Adware:
Malwarebytes
AdwCleaner
HitmanPro
6. Will resetting Chrome remove Adware?
Yes, resetting Chrome returns all browser settings to default and removes most Adware. But if the Adware is installed at the system level, you will need to use anti-malware software.
7. What precautions should be taken to avoid Adware?
Download software only from trusted websites.
Read reviews of browser extensions before installing them.
Don’t click on pop-up ads.
Don’t open spam emails or click on unknown links.
Keep Windows Firewall and Antivirus updated.
8. What to do if Adware is not removed from Chrome?
If Adware is not removed even with all the above methods, then you can try the following solutions:
Completely uninstall Chrome and reinstall it.
Close suspicious processes in the Windows Task Manager.
Reset DNS settings.
9. Can Adware steal my data?
Some Adware can also work as Keylogger or Spyware, stealing your Browsing data, passwords and other sensitive information. Therefore, it is extremely important to remove Adware as soon as possible.
10. Can Windows Defender remove Adware?
Windows Defender is good for preventing Malware and viruses, but it is not able to detect every type of Adware. Therefore, it is better to use a Third-party anti-malware tool.
