”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 FortectIntego. Additionally, you can uninstall adware together with its components manually (instructions are at the end of the article).

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.
Uninstall from Windows
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.

Delete from macOS
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.

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.

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge
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.

Remove from Google Chrome
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.

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.

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