How to Fix a Browser Hijack on Google Chrome

Browser hijacking or 'pop-up phishing' involves fraudulent messages that unexpectedly pop up for users when they are surfing the web. In many cases, cyber criminals infect otherwise legitimate websites with malicious code that causes these messages to appear when people visit them.

The content of these messages themselves is what makes them so effective. Often, they present the unsuspecting website visitor with some kind of fraudulent warning from a well-known reputable company, typically about the security of their computer. Then they either prompt the visitor to download some tool to fix the problem, such as an antivirus application which turns out to be malware itself, or to call a fraudulent phone number for "support." The abnormal behavior of the message itself and the inability to close or navigate away from them, makes the fraudulent messages appear to be somewhat credible.

This guide will demonstrate how to rid yourself of the worrisome pop-up message, and then perform some simple operations to get Google Chrome back to normal.

What About Pop-Ups?

This guide focuses on hijacked browsers. Pop-ups are another beast entirely and covered in another guide.

There are 2 main Operating Systems for personal computers currently available, Windows and macOS.

Windows

Windows runs on computers produced by multiple companies, such as Lenovo, Asus, Dell, Toshiba, Hewlett Packard, Acer, and Sony.

macOS

Apple is the only company that makes macOS computers.

1. Open the Windows Task Manager.
   Using the Taskbar

   • Using your right mouse button, right-click on your Taskbar. Then select Task Manager from the menu.
     
     

   Using a Keyboard Shortcut

   • On your keyboard use Ctrl+Shift+Esc.
     

   Using the Lock Screen

   • You can do Ctrl+Alt+Del on your keyboard, then click on Task Manager.
     
     
2. Select your browser, then select End Task.
   Basic View

   

   Advanced View

   

1. Open Google Chrome.
   
2. Select the Menu button located in the top right corner of the window.
   
3. Select Settings.
   
   
4. Scroll to the bottom of the page, then select Advanced.
   
5. Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
   
6. For Time range, select All time. Make sure all three check boxes are checked, then select Clear data.
   

Some browser extensions / addons can cause your browser to behave abnormally. Removing any unwanted, unnecessary, or unused browser extensions/addons can get your web browser running properly again.

1. Click on the three dots in the upper right hand corner.
   
2. Click on (1) More tools then (2) Extensions.
   
3. The following steps can be repeated to remove multiple browser extensions.
   • Find the extension you want to remove, and click on REMOVE.
     
   • You will get a confirmation window. Click Remove to confirm removal.
     
   • You might get a new tab pop up upon removal, close the tab by hitting the X.
4. Extensions are now gone, you may have to restart your browser for it to take effect. If you removed a malicious extension, it might have changed your homepage.

1. Open Google Chrome.
   
2. Enter chrome://extensions into address bar and hit Enter.
3. Review the list of plug-ins and remove any that you do not recognize. You may need to research the add-ons before removing.
   
4. Click the three dots menu icon at the top right.
5. Open Settings.
   
6. Scroll down and verify Homepage is not malicious and change it if it is.
   
7. Click on Manage Search Engines.
   
8. Verify no search hijackers are present.
   
9. Click Start.
   
10. Search for "Chrome".
11. Right-click on the Chrome result, then click on Open File Location.
    
12. Right-click Chrome, then select Properties.
    
13. Verify that the Target only contains the path "C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" with nothing after it.
    
14. Open Chrome and verify your homepage is correct.

1. Open your browser and take note if it shows your normal home page or search page.
   
2. Test your ability to search the web like you normally would.

Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs)

PUPs, or "Potentially unwanted programs," often arrive bundled with your computer, or tag along with another software program you meant to install, but were part of a EULA or "Recommended Offer" you probably clicked right through. These are programs that don't really do anything good for you. Some of these programs can add unwanted browser toolbars that clutter your browser, track your web browsing, show additional advertisements, or change your search page and other related settings.

You may need to remove an app or program because you need the space, simply don't need it anymore, or it is malicious. The following steps show you how to easily remove an app. The first method is exclusive to Windows 10, the second method will work with all Windows versions.

1. Select the Start menu, then select Power.
   
   
2. Select Restart.
   

1. Open your browser and take note if it shows your normal home page or search page.
   
   • On a Desktop or Laptop, look for one of these icons:
     
   • On a Smartphone or Tablet, look for one of these icons:
     
2. Make sure the page loads properly, and try following a few of the links from the page.

Sometimes Chrome can get stuck as it launches. Forcing it to quit and restarting it usually fixes this problem.

1. Select the Apple menu, then Force Quit.
   
2. Highlight Google Chrome in the list, and select Force Quit.
   
3. You'll be prompted if you're sure, select Force Quit.
   

Your web browser's homepage settings dictate the websites that are loaded when it is opened up.

1. Click on the three dots in the upper right hand corner.
   
2. Click on Settings.
   
3. Scroll down to you get to On Startup. You will see three options. If you want to set a custom page, select Open a specific page or set of pages.
   • If you see one that you want to remove or change click on the 3 dots next to it. Click on Edit or Remove to change it.
     
     

Some browser extensions / addons can cause your browser to behave abnormally. Removing any unwanted, unnecessary, or unused browser extensions/addons can get your web browser running properly again.

1. Click on the three dots in the upper right hand corner.
   
2. Click on (1) More tools then (2) Extensions.
   
3. The following steps can be repeated to remove multiple browser extensions.
   • Find the extension you want to remove, and click on REMOVE.
     
   • You will get a confirmation window. Click Remove to confirm removal.
     
   • You might get a new tab pop up upon removal, close the tab by hitting the X.
4. Extensions are now gone, you may have to restart your browser for it to take effect. If you removed a malicious extension, it might have changed your homepage.

1. Open Google Chrome.
   
2. Select the Menu button located in the top right corner of the window.
   
3. Select Settings.
   
   
4. Scroll to the bottom of the page, then select Advanced.
   
5. Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
   
6. For Time range, select All time. Make sure all three check boxes are checked, then select Clear data.
   

1. Open your browser and take note if it shows your normal home page or search page.
   
2. Test your ability to search the web like you normally would.

Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs)

PUPs, or "Potentially unwanted programs," often arrive bundled with your computer, or tag along with another software program you meant to install, but were part of a EULA or "Recommended Offer" you probably clicked right through. These are programs that don't really do anything good for you. Some of these programs can add unwanted browser toolbars that clutter your browser, track your web browsing, show additional advertisements, or change your search page and other related settings.

Removing an app may also remove all data for that app. Make sure you have any information you need backed up before removing an app for your Mac.

To Remove an App Installed from the App Store

1. Open the Launchpad from the dock.
   
2. Click and hold on an icon until all icons start to jiggle.
   
3. Click the "x" on the top left of the icon you want to remove.
   
4. Click Delete to confirm removal.
   

To Remove All Other Apps

1. Open the Finder from the dock.
   
2. Click on Applications on the left.
   
3. Drag the app you wish to remove to the trash can.
   
4. Right click on the trashcan and click Empty Trash.
   

1. From the menu bar across the top of the screen, select the Apple menu, then Restart...
   

1. Open your browser and take note if it shows your normal home page or search page.
   
   • On a Desktop or Laptop, look for one of these icons:
     
   • On a Smartphone or Tablet, look for one of these icons:
     
2. Make sure the page loads properly, and try following a few of the links from the page.