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  • Active
  • Severity: Medium
  • Adware
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · May 2018

How to remove Google Chrome Support Centre scam

A step-by-step removal guide for affected devices. Follow the verified procedure below — most readers complete it in under 10 minutes.

Ugnius Kiguolis · The mastermind

Google Chrome Support Centre scam – computer error message that is fake and deceptive

Google Chrome Support Centre scam

Google Chrome Support Centre is a fake warning that informs about a possible threat detected on the computer. However, it’s not a legitimate notification; it is delivered by an intrusive program – adware[1]. This program delivers ads or similar messages in pop-up[2] windows and causes redirect to questionable websites.

Summary
Name Google Chrome Support Centre
Type Technical support scam
Distribution Adware programs that typically spread in freeware or shareware packages
Targeted OS Windows
Affected browsers Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and any other that is compatible with Windows
Used numbers +61-1800-875-384
Other symptoms of the infected Browser redirects to suspicious websites and an increased amount of commercial content on the browser

When users are redirected to Google Chrome Support Centre scam website, they receive a message stating that Windows firewall has detected a virus and they need to call Google Technical support immediately, or their device will be blocked:

Please call Google Support Centre Immediately at +61-1800-875-384
A Porn Virus has been detected by firewall.
Do not press any key or ignore this critical alert.
Your computer access is disabled for security reasons and to prevent from further damage to your device. Call right now +61-1800-875-384 to Google Technical Support immediately so that our engineers can walk you through the removal of this porn virus over the phone. Call Right Now at Google Technical Support TOLL FREE NO:- +61-1800-875-384

This alert should raise suspicions for every user because Google does not provide any technical support for Windows OS. However, within a couple of seconds, the Google Chrome Support Centre virus displays a pop-up saying that application has crashed:

Application.exe has stopped working
Windows can check online for a solution to the problem.
Check online for a solution and close the program.
Close the program.
Call Toll Free: +61-1800-875-384
Login Failed. Computer Locked. Call Support at +61-1800-875-384

Both of these alerts are fake, and you should not call the provided number. All you need to do is to remove Google Chrome Support Centre scam from the browser immediately. Security experts from Lesvirus.fr[3] report that scammers typically have one of these purposes:

  • money extortion;
  • installation of malware;
  • getting remote access to the computer;
  • obtaining personal user’s information.

Cybercriminals generate revenue by scaring people and tricking them into purchasing the suggested software or products. However, the situation might be even worse and end up with identity theft. Thus, if you encountered such website, close browser’s tab (or force quit the browser) and forget about this accident.

However, if you are repeatedly being redirected to this technical support scam website, you should take care of computer’s security. In this case, you will need to remove Google Chrome Support Centre adware from the machine.

You can suspect that this type of potentially unwanted program (PUP)[2] resides on the computer if you also noticed the following symptoms:

  • suspicious windows appearing while browsing the web;
  • an increased number of aggressive ads;
  • lots of questionable banner ads with shopping deals, coupons, sales, and other offers;
  • security or software update pop-ups.

In this case, we highly recommend opting for automatic Google Chrome Support Centre scam removal which requires scanning the computer with FortectIntego or another anti-malware program. It’s the quickest method to terminate this cyber parasite. However, if you want, you can try to get rid of it manually too – the guide is given at the end of the article.

Google Chrome Support Centre virus

Potentially unwanted programs come in bundles

When you download free programs from torrents or even legitimate websites, you might install not a single program, but a “bundle.” It means that apart from the primary program, you are also letting additional apps to enter the system. Indeed, it might sound shady, but it’s a legitimate software marketing method known as bundling.

The PUP hijack might occur when you rely on Quick/Recommended setup which is not always designed to inform about additional components spreading in the same software package. Therefore, you have always to “unpack” freeware by using Advanced/Custom options. If you see suggested optional programs, de-select all of them.

Remove Google Chrome Support Centre scam from your browser now

The best way for Google Chrome Support Centre removal is to rely on anti-malware programs. We have a few suggestions below. However, you can choose any other preferred tool, but don’t forget to update it first. Only an up-to-date software can eliminate all cyber threats.

However, if you want to remove Google Chrome Support Centre virus manually, you will need to:

  1. Uninstall questionable programs from Windows OS;
  2. Get rid of suspicious browser extensions from all the affected web browsers;
  3. Reset your browsers.

For more information, please check the instructions provided below.

Uninstall from Windows

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

  1. Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 10/8

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 7/XP

Remove the unwanted program:

  1. In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
  2. If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.Uninstall the unwanted program from Windows

Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).Uninstall from Mac

Delete leftover files and folders:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
  3. Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.Delete leftover files from Mac
  4. Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

Reset Internet Explorer

Remove dangerous add-ons:

  1. Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
  2. Pick Manage Add-ons.
  3. You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.Remove add-ons from Internet Explorer

Change your homepage if it was altered:

  1. Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
  2. Select Internet Options.
  3. In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
  4. Click Apply and then select OK.Reset IE homepage

Delete temporary files:

  1. Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
  2. Under Browsing history, click Delete...
  3. Select relevant fields and press Delete.Clear temporary files from Internet Explorer

Reset Internet Explorer:

  1. Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
  2. Select Reset.
  3. In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.Reset Internet Explorer

Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

  1. Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
  2. From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
  3. Click Remove.Remove extensions from Edge

Clear cookies and other browser data:

  1. Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. 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.Clear Edge browsing data

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

  1. Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
  2. Then find On startup section.
  3. Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

  1. Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
  3. Select Details tab.
  4. 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.Reset MS Edge

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

  1. Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
  2. Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chromium Edge

Clear cache and site data:

  1. Click on Menu and go to Settings.
  2. Select Privacy, search and services.
  3. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  4. Under Time range, pick All time.
  5. Select Clear now.Clear browser data from Chroum Edge

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. On the left side, pick Reset settings.
  3. Select Restore settings to their default values.
  4. Confirm with Reset.
  5. This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.Reset Chromium Edge

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
  2. Select Add-ons.
  3. In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.Remove extensions from Firefox

Reset the homepage:

  1. Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
  2. Choose Settings.
  3. Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.

Clear cookies and site data:

  1. Click Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security section.
  3. Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
  4. Click on Clear Data...
  5. Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
  2. Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.Reset Firefox 1
  3. Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
  4. Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.Reset Firefox 2

Remove from Google Chrome

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

  1. Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
  2. In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chrome

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

  1. Click on Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
  3. Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
  4. Click Clear data.Clear cache and web data from Chrome

Change your homepage:

  1. Click menu and choose Settings.
  2. Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
  3. 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:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
  4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm with Reset settings.Reset Chrome 2

Delete from Safari

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
  2. Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.Remove extensions from Safari

Clear history and website data:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
  2. Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.Clear history from Safari

Reset Safari:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
  2. Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  3. From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.Reset Safari

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