Google Chrome Blocked for Security Reasons e-mail scam: how to spot it and what to do
Google Chrome Blocked for Security Reasons is yet another online scam that could be encountered on any web browser. According to the suspicious message, an error 0x120E7A2C was encountered on the system due to a virus infection.
Facts checked October 6, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
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Google Chrome Blocked for Security Reasons e-mail scam: summary
| Distribution | Rogue websites that users can encounter randomly or after being redirected by adware or another potentially unwanted program |
|---|---|
| Damage | Downloading and installing software advertised through scam messages can be extremely dangerous, as the installer might turn out to be malicious and result in malware infection. This can consequently lead to monetary losses, computer function disruptions, privacy issues, sensitive data leak, or even identity theft |
| Name | Google Chrome Blocked for Security Reasons |
| Type | Online scam, phishing |
| Claim | The warning claims that viruses have been found on the users' computer and that some type of antivirus software needs to be downloaded and installed in order to eliminate it |
| Indicated error | 0x120E7A2C |
| Removal | Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 8 more facts
| Related | System Blocked for Security Reasons |
|---|---|
| Symptoms | A phishing e-mail asking you to sign in |
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
| Arrives as | |
| Pretends to be | Microsoft |
| Asks for | Your password |
| First seen | 5 November 2020 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
What the Google Chrome Blocked for Security Reasons e-mail scam e-mail looks like
Warning!
Google Chrome Blocked for Security Reasons
Threat code: 0x120E7A2C
We have found a frequently displayed annoying ad
To disable this ad and remove the viruses showing it, an antivirus must be updated immediately!
Required Immediately: Click "Proceed" then on the next page click "Subscribe Now" to download and install the latest version of antivirus software.
Proceed…
Do not ignore this safety alert. If you close this page before updating an antivirus, your computer access will be disabled to prevent future damage to our network.
Send threat report to Microsoft Security Team (Recommended)
How to tell the Google Chrome Blocked for Security Reasons e-mail scam e-mail is fake
From our report of Nov 2020 · not reviewed since
- You should not interact with the website's contents.
- Malware or adware infections can diminish the performance of your computer or cause serious stability issues.
Is Google Chrome Blocked for Security Reasons e-mail scam dangerous? What the senders want
From our report of Nov 2020 · not reviewed since
Google Chrome Blocked for Security Reasons is a deceptive popup that seeks to profit on application downloads
Google Chrome Blocked for Security Reasons is yet another online scam that could be encountered on any web browser.
According to the suspicious message, an error 0x120E7A2C was encountered on the system due to a virus infection. In order to eliminate it, visitors are asked to download and subscribe to a service that is meant to delete the alleged threat from the computer. The notification also mentions that, if the warning to be ignored, access to a computer will be disabled fully.
Of course, Google Chrome Blocked for Security Reasons is just another website that attempts to deceive users using social engineering techniques and make some money for the fake alert developers. You should never download any software that is advertised in such a way, as you might infect your computer with malware, consequently compromising your computer security and online safety.
While the fake alert might be encountered at random, it is important to note if Google Chrome Blocked for Security Reasons redirects (or similar scam sites) occur frequently - this typically indicates that adware is rerouting your traffic to dangerous places on the internet.
Thus, you should always take adequate measures to check your computer and web browsers promptly, which would also remove Google Chrome Blocked for Security Reasons ads from the machine once and for all.
This scam is nothing out of the ordinary - the attackers use attributes that are familiar to most internet users - such as the Chrome logo or Windows error code. This is a very common technique used by cybercriminals to make the alert more believable, as visitors would assume it is coming from a legitimate party, such as Google or Microsoft.
However, looking closely at the Google Chrome Blocked for Security Reasons virus alert, it becomes clear that it is fake:
Here is the full message:
You should ignore this message and never interact with any buttons or links presented. While the applications advertised by crooks might be legitimate (they receive a commission each time somebody downloads the app from its developers), it can sometimes turn out to be malicious, resulting in malware infection.
Google Chrome Blocked for Security Reasons removal is simple - just close down the browser tab you see it on, as neither your computer nor browser is locked.
If you have noticed that redirects to Google Chrome Blocked for Security Reasons scam site is not a solo occurrence, and you see an increased number of ads, you should check the installed browser extensions and applications on your device. If you are not sure how - follow the step-by-step guide below.
- The URL the warning message is displayed from is not coming from Google or another reputable website
- Windows error code is fictional - it simply does not exist
- Nothing could block your computer via the web browser apart from malware, but it needs to be installed first
- There is no indication of what "security software" you are about to download
- Microsoft and Google would never offer you to download anything on their official alerts.
From our report of Nov 2020 · not reviewed since
Online scams are common - do not get tricked by criminals
Computer software is awesome, as it allows users to customize their experience and perform actions that would otherwise be impossible.
Unfortunately, there is plenty of tools that are useless or straight out malicious. Scam messages found around the web are typically used to install potentially unwanted programs or malware on users' computers. You should always check the website URL that is showing you a suspicious message - it is a number one hint that it is fake.
As mentioned above, adware could be the main reason why you are being redirected to potentially dangerous websites. Besides redirects, the adware can also disrupt normal web browsing activities by inserting pop-ups, banners, flashing windows, in-text links, and other content that does not come from a website you are visiting. To make matters worse, PUPs often spy on users' behavior and sell this information to unknown third-parties.
Therefore, you should take all adequate measures to prevent the infiltration of potentially unwanted applications. Here are some tips that could help you with that:
- Do not download apps from untrustworthy sources, such as torrent sites;
- Never "update" software such as Flash through suspicious notifications encountered around the web - visit the official site instead;
- During the installation of freeware, always pick Advanced settings instead of Recommended ones;
- Employ reputable anti-malware that can recognize potentially unwanted programs.
What to do after the Google Chrome Blocked for Security Reasons e-mail
If you only received the message and clicked nothing, step 3 is all you need.
If you clicked the link or typed anything on the page it opened, do every step, starting with the password.
Step 1: Change the password you typed on the fake page
If you typed a password on the page the Google Chrome Blocked for Security Reasons message opened, assume the sender has it. Go to the real site by typing its address yourself and change the password there, choosing one you have never used.
Change it anywhere else the same password was used, and sign out all other sessions if the service offers it. Any browser on Windows 11 or Windows 10 will do, as long as you do not follow the e-mail's link.
Microsoft account, Security page (account.microsoft.com/security): Change password. Full procedure with screenshots: Turn on two-step verification / secure a hacked account
Step 2: Turn on two-step verification
With two-step verification on, a stolen password alone no longer opens the account, because a sign-in from a new device also needs a code from your phone.
Switch it on for the e-mail account first, then for banking, shopping and social accounts that use that address.
Check the recovery phone, the recovery e-mail and any forwarding rules while you are in the settings, since attackers change them to come back. The pages are the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Microsoft account: Manage how I sign in, where two-step verification and the sign-in methods are. Full procedure with screenshots: Turn on two-step verification / secure a hacked account
Step 3: Report the e-mail and delete it
Do not reply and do not click anything else in the message. In Outlook select the e-mail and choose Report > Report phishing; in Gmail open the three-dot menu next to Reply and pick Report phishing.
That trains the filter for everyone on the service, and the message goes to the junk folder. If the e-mail came to a work address, forward it to your IT team as an attachment first.
The steps are the same in the web mail and the mail apps on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
New Outlook for Windows and Outlook on the web: Report > Report phishing. Full procedure with screenshots: Report a phishing e-mail
Step 4: Scan the PC if you opened a file from the message
A fake sign-in page only steals what you type, so most readers can skip this step. If the Google Chrome Blocked for Security Reasons e-mail made you download or open a file, delete it and scan the PC.
In Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, run a Full scan and then Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) > Scan now. The offline scan restarts Windows 11 or Windows 10 and takes about 15 minutes.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
Uninstall from Windows
To delete potentially unwanted programs from Windows, follow these instructions:
Uninstall from Windows 10/8:
- Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
Remove the unwanted program:
- In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
- If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.
Remove from Google Chrome
If you found suspicious extensions on Chrome, make sure you eliminate them as soon as possible. If ads do not stop, you can reset the browser fully:
Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
- Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
- In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.
Clear cache and web data from Chrome:
- Click on Menu and pick Settings.
- Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
- Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data.
Change your homepage:
- Click menu and choose Settings.
- Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
- Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.
Reset Google Chrome:
If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
- Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
- Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Confirm with Reset settings.
Remove from Microsoft Edge
Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:
- Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
- From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
- Click Remove.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.
Restore new tab and homepage settings:
- Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
- Then find On startup section.
- Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.
Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:
- Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
- Select Details tab.
- Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.
Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.
Clear cache and site data:
- Click on Menu and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy, search and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Under Time range, pick All time.
- Select Clear now.
Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- On the left side, pick Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- Confirm with Reset.
- This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.
Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
- Select Add-ons.
- In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Settings.
- Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data...
- Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.
Reset Mozilla Firefox
If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
- Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.
- Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
- Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.
Delete from Safari
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
- Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.
Clear history and website data:
- Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
- Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari:
- Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
- Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.
Delete from macOS
macOS users can be frequent victims of adware:
Remove the unwanted application:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).
Delete leftover files and folders:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
- Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.
- Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.
Reset Internet Explorer
Remove dangerous add-ons:
- Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
- Pick Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.
Change your homepage if it was altered:
- Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
- Select Internet Options.
- In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
- Click Apply and then select OK.
Delete temporary files:
- Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
- Under Browsing history, click Delete...
- Select relevant fields and press Delete.
Reset Internet Explorer:
- Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
- Select Reset.
- In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.
Protect your privacy - employ a VPN
There are several ways how to make your online time more private - you can access an incognito tab.
However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise.
Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals.
No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool
If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers - human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence.
In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.
If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market - it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.
From our report of Nov 2020 · not reviewed since
Don't trust Google Chrome Blocked for Security Reasons scam and get rid of it immediately
Google Chrome Blocked for Security Reasons removal is super simple - just close the browser tab it is shown on.
By no means should you believe that is said, especially do not download programs that are promoted via this scam. This would also be beneficial to do if you suspect that adware is hiding on your machine.
Since apps offered via scams can often contain or be malware, you should also employ additional means to ensure your computer safety. A repeated scan with another tool is also advised. Finally, you should check and clean your web browsers, such as removing suspicious extensions and clearing web browsing data.
Questions about Google Chrome Blocked for Security Reasons e-mail scam
Can reading "Google Chrome Blocked for Security Reasons" infect my computer?
Reading it cannot. An e-mail is text and pictures, and current versions of Outlook, Gmail and other web mail services do not run code from a message just because you opened it. What can cause harm is an action:
- signing in on the page the link opens
- opening an attachment
- enabling macros in a document
The message "Google Chrome Blocked for Security Reasons" was built to lead you to one of those steps. If you stopped at reading, delete it and use the report button so the provider can block the same wave for others. Nothing needs to be removed from Windows.
How fast do I need to react after signing in on the "Google Chrome Blocked for Security Reasons" page?
As fast as you can. Stolen passwords are often tried within minutes, and the first thing an attacker usually changes is the recovery e-mail or phone, which locks you out. Change the password from a clean device first, then sign out everywhere and review the recovery settings.
If you are already locked out, use the provider's account recovery form straight away and mention that the page behind "Google Chrome Blocked for Security Reasons" took your password. Warn your contacts, since a taken-over mailbox is often used to send the same phishing to them.
Could Google Chrome Blocked for Security Reasons be a genuine message?
We checked it, and it is not. Microsoft is only the costume. The message exists to get your password, and real companies handle that inside your account, after you sign in normally, not through links, attachments or phone numbers in a message you did not expect.
Scammers copy logos and footers perfectly, so the design proves nothing. The sender address, the link target and the request are the reliable signs, and all three point to a scam here. Delete it, and if you are worried, check your account directly.
Why does Google Chrome Blocked for Security Reasons say that your account needs urgent attention?
Because that story works. A problem that needs fixing, a deadline and a simple solution make people act before they check.
The claim that your account needs urgent attention is the same for everyone who received Google Chrome Blocked for Security Reasons; it was written once and sent in bulk. Nothing about your own situation triggered it.
If you are unsure, look at the real account or service the normal way, without using the message. The claim will not be there, which settles the question. Then report the message.
What does Google Chrome Blocked for Security Reasons want from me?
In the end, your password. Everything else in Google Chrome Blocked for Security Reasons, from the logo to the deadline, is there to get you to that point without stopping to think.
Knowing the goal helps you judge your risk. If you did not give it, you lost nothing and can delete the message. If you did, the steps in this guide are ordered by what you handed over:
- passwords first
- then card and bank details
- then documents and anything you installed
- ran
Act on the highest item on that list first.
How do I contact the real Microsoft?
Not through anything in Google Chrome Blocked for Security Reasons. Type the official website address into the browser yourself, use the app you already have, or use the phone number printed on your card, contract or a previous genuine invoice.
Search results can be risky too, because scammers buy ads for support numbers. Once you reach the real Microsoft, you can ask whether there is any problem with your account and report the scam message; many companies have a dedicated address for phishing reports on their security page.
Why did I receive Google Chrome Blocked for Security Reasons?
Scam messages go to millions of addresses and numbers collected from data breaches, public websites and simple guessing. Receiving Google Chrome Blocked for Security Reasons does not mean your PC is infected or that an account of yours was hacked.
If the message includes an old password of yours, it comes from a breach of some website; change that password wherever you still use it. Mark the message as spam or phishing so your provider blocks similar ones. Never reply to ask to be removed from the list: the sender treats a reply as proof that the address works.
What is the single best habit against scams like this?
Never act on a message through the message itself. If something claims to be from Microsoft and asks you to sign in, pay, call or open a file, close it and go to the service the way you always do:
- a bookmark
- the app
- the number on your card
Real problems will be visible there. This one habit defeats almost every phishing, invoice, delivery and account-suspension scam, regardless of how convincing the design is, because the scammers can copy the look but not the real account.
What should I do first after Google Chrome Blocked for Security Reasons?
Secure the account involved. From a device you trust, open the official app or website directly, change the password and sign out of all sessions. Turn on two-step verification with an app or a passkey rather than text messages if the service allows it.
Then check recent activity, linked e-mail addresses and recovery phone numbers for changes you did not make. If an e-mail with the subject "Google Chrome Blocked for Security Reasons" involved money, call your bank using the number on the back of your card. Only after that look into how it happened.
Will Fortect remove Google Chrome Blocked for Security Reasons?
Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.
For Google Chrome Blocked for Security Reasons, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.
Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.
Sources
- CSO Online: Social engineering explained: How criminals exploit human behavior (read October 6, 2026)
- 9To5Mac: PSA: There's a new fake Flash Player installer for Macs, and it's nastier than usual (read October 6, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize and avoid phishing scams (read October 6, 2026)
- CISA: Recognize and report phishing (read October 6, 2026)
- Microsoft Support: Protect yourself from phishing (read October 6, 2026)