Clean My Chrome virus. How to remove? (Uninstall guide)
Be aware of the appearance of Clean My Chrome extension
Clean My Chrome is a browser extension that claims to speed up Chrome’s performance and protect user’s privacy. However, this tool might hijack your browser and delivers lots of intrusive ads. Due to these reasons, it is known as potentially unwanted program (PUP) and adware.[1]
After the hijack, Clean My Chrome virus might:
- use a virtual layer to display pop-ups, banners, in-text, and other ads on any visited websites;
- redirect to promotional or potentially dangerous websites;
- track information about users;
- alter browser’s homepage or/and default search engine.
The increased amount of online ads give an opposite result that the official website of the Chrome extension tells. The browser might become sluggish or freeze due to the aggressive pop-ups. Though, security experts pay the biggest attention to Clean My Chrome redirect problems. The adware might redirect to Internet sites that are created for spreading malware or phishing attacks.
Typically, Clean My Chrome ads provide various shopping offers. However, they might also deliver misleading security alerts or offer to scan the computer with unknown security software. Clicking such ads or downloading offered tools might end up with ransomware or Trojan attack.[2] Thus, you should stay away from them.
The main purpose of the Clean My Chrome adware is to generate pay-per-click revenue to the developers. Unfortunately, they do not care about users’ security and partners’ credibility. Thus, evil-minded people can easily take advantage of this program.
What is more, Clean My Chrome official website includes neither Privacy Policy nor End-user License Agreement. Thus, you cannot be sure how your personal or non-personal information is treated. Ad-supported programs most of the time track browsing-related information in order to deliver targeted ads, which are supposed to be more encouraging.
All the reasons above should be more than enough to remove Clean My Chrome from the browser. Users from the UK[3] reported that they were not able to uninstall the extension normally. Indeed, it might happen. Potentially unwanted program might alter Registry and browser’s settings to strengthen itself.
To reject all the changes and get rid of the adware efficiently, you have to employ a professional anti-malware. We highly recommend Reimage for Clean My Chrome removal.
Click 'Start -> Control Panel -> Programs and Features' (if you are 'Windows XP' user, click on 'Add/Remove Programs').
If you are 'Windows 10 / Windows 8' user, then right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once 'Quick Access Menu' shows up, select 'Control Panel' and 'Uninstall a Program'.
Right click on each of suspicious entries and select 'Uninstall'
Cick 'Go' and select 'Applications'
Click on every malicious entry and select 'Move to Trash'
Click on menu icon and select 'Manage add-ons'
Right click on each of malicious entries and select 'Disable'
Delete malicious URL, enter your desired domain name and click 'Apply' to save changes
Go to 'Advanced' tab and click on 'Reset' button. Now select 'Delete personal settings' and click on 'Reset' button again
Go to Settings and select 'Choose what to clear'
Select 'Clear' button
Open the start menu and select 'Task Manager'
Right-click 'Microsoft Edge' and select 'Go to details'
Select 'More details' if 'Go to details' option fails to show up
Find Microsoft Edge entries and select 'End Task'
Go to Microsoft Edge folder on your computer, right-click every entry and click 'Delete'
Find Windows PowerShell, right-click it and select 'Run as administrator'
Copy and paste a required command and press 'Enter'
Click on menu icon and select 'Add-ons'
Select 'Extensions' and look for malicious entries. Click 'Remove' to get rid of each of them
Click on menu icon and then on '?'. Select 'Troubleshooting Information'
Click on 'Reset Firefox' button for a couple of times
Click on menu icon. Select 'Tools' and 'Extensions'
Look for malicious entries and delete each of them by clicking on the Trash bin icon
When in 'Settings', select 'Manage search engines...'
Click 'X' to remove malicious URLs
When in 'Settings', scroll down to 'Reset browser settings' button and click on it
Click on 'Reset' button to complete your removal
Click on 'Safari' and select 'Preferences'
Go to 'Extensions' and uninstall malicious add-ons
Click on 'Safari' and select 'Reset Safari...'
Select all options and click on 'Reset' button
The official website does not have working download button
Nevertheless, the extension has an official website and claims to available on Chrome store; there’s no way you can download the extension from here. “Get Extension for Chrome” button is inactive and the link to Chrome store is not working too. It means the adware is being distributed using other channels.
The primary distribution method is known under the term “bundling.” The PUP spreads as an optional component in the software bundles and might be installed when a user relies on Quick/Standard/Recommended setup. These settings do not openly disclose about third-party software. So, Clean My Chrome hijack becomes silent. For this reason, you should only use Advanced/Custom setup which allows rejecting installation of additional apps.
Rescuing the browser from Clean My Chrome extension
Clean My Chrome removal might be complicated because the extension might get installed using Windows group policies. Therefore, if you cannot access the list of extension or cannot choose “Uninstall” option, you should not hesitate and employ powerful anti-malware.
Otherwise, you can remove Clean My Chrome manually. The instructions below will guide you through this procedure. Once you remove the extension, don’t forget to look up for other suspicious entries that may have been installed as well.
You can remove Clean My Chrome automatically with a help of one of these programs: Reimage, Malwarebytes Malwarebytes, Plumbytes Anti-MalwareNorton Internet Security. We recommend these applications because they can easily delete potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
To remove Clean My Chrome virus, follow these steps:
Delete Clean My Chrome from Windows systems
First of all, you have to make sure that any suspicious programs were not installed to your computer:
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Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
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If you are Windows 10 / Windows 8 user, then right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once Quick Access Menu shows up, select Control Panel and Uninstall a Program.
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Uninstall Clean My Chrome and related programs
Here, look for Clean My Chrome or any other recently installed suspicious programs. -
Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes.
Eliminate Clean My Chrome from Mac OS X system
Firstly, check the installed applications and remove unknown software:
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If you are using OS X, click Go button at the top left of the screen and select Applications.
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Wait until you see Applications folder and look for Clean My Chrome or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.
Erase Clean My Chrome from Internet Explorer (IE)
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Remove dangerous add-ons
Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top right corner of the browser and choose Manage Add-ons. -
You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for Clean My Chrome and other suspicious plugins. Disable these entries by clicking Disable:
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Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Click on the gear icon (menu) on the top right corner of the browser and select Internet Options. Stay in General tab. -
Here, remove malicious URL and enter preferable domain name. Click Apply to save changes.
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Reset Internet Explorer
Click on the gear icon (menu) again and select Internet options. Go to Advanced tab. - Here, select Reset.
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When in the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset again to complete Clean My Chrome removal.
Get rid of Clean My Chrome virus from Microsoft Edge
Reset Microsoft Edge settings (Method 1):
- Launch Microsoft Edge app and click More (three dots at the top right corner of the screen).
- Click Settings to open more options.
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Once Settings window shows up, click Choose what to clear button under Clear browsing data option.
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Here, select all what you want to remove and click Clear.
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Now you should right-click on the Start button (Windows logo). Here, select Task Manager.
- When in Processes tab, search for Microsoft Edge.
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Right-click on it and choose Go to details option. If can’t see Go to details option, click More details and repeat previous steps.
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When Details tab shows up, find every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right click on each of them and select End Task to end these entries.
Resetting Microsoft Edge browser (Method 2):
If Method 1 failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method.
- Note: you need to backup your data before using this method.
- Find this folder on your computer:
C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe. -
Select every entry which is saved on it and right click with your mouse. Then Delete option.
- Click the Start button (Windows logo) and type in window power in Search my stuff line.
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Right-click the Windows PowerShell entry and choose Run as administrator.
- Once Administrator: Windows PowerShell window shows up, paste this command line after PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> and press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml -Verbose}
Once these steps are finished, Clean My Chrome should be removed from your Microsoft Edge browser.
WindowsMac OS XInternet ExplorerMicrosoft EdgeFirefoxGoogle ChromeSafariRemove Clean My Chrome from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
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Remove dangerous extensions
Open Mozilla Firefox, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Add-ons → Extensions. -
Here, select Clean My Chrome and other questionable plugins. Click Remove to delete these entries.
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Reset Mozilla Firefox
Click on the Firefox menu on the top left and click on the question mark. Here, choose Troubleshooting Information. -
Now you will see Reset Firefox to its default state message with Reset Firefox button. Click this button for several times and complete Clean My Chrome removal.
Uninstall Clean My Chrome from Google Chrome
These instructions will help you to completely remove Clean My Chrome from the browser:
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Delete malicious plugins
Open Google Chrome, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Tools → Extensions. -
Here, select Clean My Chrome and other malicious plugins and select trash icon to delete these entries.
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Click on menu icon again and choose Settings → Manage Search engines under the Search section.
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When in Search Engines..., remove malicious search sites. You should leave only Google or your preferred domain name.
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Reset Google Chrome
Click on menu icon on the top right of your Google Chrome and select Settings. -
Scroll down to the end of the page and click on Reset browser settings.
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Click Reset to confirm this action and complete Clean My Chrome removal.
Delete Clean My Chrome from Safari
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Remove dangerous extensions
Open Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu at the top left of the screen. Once you do this, select Preferences. -
Here, select Extensions and look for Clean My Chrome or other suspicious entries. Click on the Uninstall button to get rid each of them.
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Reset Safari
Open Safari browser and click on Safari in menu section at the top left of the screen. Here, select Reset Safari.... -
Now you will see a detailed dialog window filled with reset options. All of those options are usually checked, but you can specify which of them you want to reset. Click the Reset button to complete Clean My Chrome removal process.
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References
- ^ Adware. Computer Hope. The website about computers.
- ^ Violet Blue. You say advertising, I say block that malware. Engadget. Technology news and reviews.
- ^ NoVirus. NoVirus. British spyware and security news.