“Google Chrome Fatal Error!” virus. How to remove? (Uninstall guide)
”Google Chrome Fatal Error!” – a new variant of technical support scam
“Google Chrome Fatal Error!” is a fake security alert that pop-ups on the malicious website that you might be forced to visit by adware. This PUP[1] may have sneaked inside your computer with the recently downloaded program. The virus aims at Google Chrome users only.
The nasty website delivers two pop-up messages. The first one notifies about “Google Chrome Fatal Error!” and shortly asks to contact the Help Desk. The second one informs about suspicious activities detected on user’s IP address. It claims that victim’s computer is infected with a “harmful virus.”
According to the “Google Chrome Fatal Error!” scam, users have to call 877-804-5390 to technical support staff. In order to make the message look threatening, the background of the page has a blue background full of white codes. What is more, crooks also provide a ridiculously short name of the error code – “m.”
The main plan of the “Google Chrome Fatal Error!” virus is to trick users into calling the fake support line.[2] Scammers' reasons are unknown. Nevertheless, they claim that phone line is toll-free; it might not be true. Thus, they might swindle your money in a sneaky way. However, they might also:
- offer you to download or purchase useless security tools,
- install remote access programs in order to get control over your computer,
- use social engineering tactics to obtain your sensitive information.
Therefore, calling the number might lead to bigger problems, such as data or money loss, or even installation of a malicious program. If you encounter this pop-up while browsing the web, you should not forget that this security alert is fake. Your computer is not infected with dangerous viruses. Only potentially unwanted program (PUP) may have sneaked inside your device.
This PUP might also be capable of displaying numerous annoying, aggressive and misleading ads, redirecting to other suspicious websites, installing third-party applications, and even tracking information about your browsing habits without asking your permission. Thus, you should not hesitate and remove “Google Chrome Fatal Error!” in order to stop these activities.
We recommend choosing automatic “Google Chrome Fatal Error!” removal method which requires scanning the system with anti-malware/anti-spyware software, for instance Reimage. Additionally, you can uninstall adware together with its components manually (instructions are at the end of the article).
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
Protect yourself from technical support scammers
As we have mentioned in the first paragraph, the adware which is responsible for triggering “Google Chrome Fatal Error!” pop-up spreads in software bundles. It’s a popular distribution method of PUPs in the United States, as well as other parts of the world, including Poland[3] and Denmark, so you should learn more about bundling.
Freeware and shareware usually include additional components, such as browser extensions, toolbars or PC optimization tools. While some of them might be useful, others cause only problems. Thus, you should always unpack freeware and unmark all pre-selected settings.
You can do it by installing new programs under Advanced/Custom settings. Keep in mind that Quick/Recommended mode does not have this feature and usually install additional programs silently.
Eliminate “Google Chrome Fatal Error!” virus
Below the article, you can find manual “Google Chrome Fatal Error!” removal guidelines. They will guide you through adware elimination procedure. If this method suits you, don’t forget that you have to uninstall all PUPs from the computer and web browser, and then reset Chrome.
If you are not a skilled computer user or have never dealt with computer infections before, you should opt for the easier option. You should remove “Google Chrome Fatal Error!” automatically. For that, you will need to obtain a security software, update it and run the system scan.
You can remove “Google Chrome Fatal Error!” automatically with a help of one of these programs: Reimage, Plumbytes Anti-MalwareWebroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus, Malwarebytes Anti Malware. 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.
Manual “Google Chrome Fatal Error!” virus Removal Guide:
Delete “Google Chrome Fatal Error!” from Windows systems
Follow the steps below to terminate “Google Chrome Fatal Error!” malware from the system:
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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 “Google Chrome Fatal Error!” and related programs
Here, look for “Google Chrome Fatal Error!” or any other recently installed suspicious programs. -
Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes.
Eliminate “Google Chrome Fatal Error!” from Mac OS X system
If you have been redirected to this misleading website, you should not ignore this activity. Follow the instructions and look up for the suspicious Application installed to your Mac OS X.
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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 “Google Chrome Fatal Error!” or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.
Uninstall “Google Chrome Fatal Error!” 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 “Google Chrome Fatal Error!” 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 “Google Chrome Fatal Error!” removal.
Remove “Google Chrome Fatal Error!” 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, “Google Chrome Fatal Error!” should be removed from your Microsoft Edge browser.
WindowsMac OS XInternet ExplorerMicrosoft EdgeFirefoxGoogle ChromeSafariErase “Google Chrome Fatal Error!” 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 “Google Chrome Fatal Error!” 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 “Google Chrome Fatal Error!” removal.
Get rid of “Google Chrome Fatal Error!” from Google Chrome
Access Chrome's extensions. Look through the list attentively. The adware may have arrived as a browser extension. Thus, you should remove it in order to stop “Google Chrome Fatal Error!” from showing up.
Adware might have also installed tracking cookies. In order to delete them and stop spying activities, you should reset the browser as well.
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Delete malicious plugins
Open Google Chrome, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Tools → Extensions. -
Here, select “Google Chrome Fatal Error!” 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 “Google Chrome Fatal Error!” removal.
Delete “Google Chrome Fatal Error!” 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 “Google Chrome Fatal Error!” 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 “Google Chrome Fatal Error!” removal process.
About the author
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References
- ^ Chris Hoffman. PUPs Explained: What is a “Potentially Unwanted Program”?. How-to Geek. For Geeks, By Geeks.
- ^ Technical support scam. Wikipedia. The free encyclopedia.
- ^ UsunWirusa. UsunWirusa. Polish website about adware, spyware, ransomware and other cyber threats.