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A web page claiming that Chrome found a “critical error” or virus does not, by itself, prove your computer is infected. Don’t call a number on the page, download its suggested fix, pay for help through the pop-up, or give anyone remote access. Close the tab or browser, then check whether the warning was limited to one page or whether unwanted browser changes keep happening.
First, tell a scare page from a continuing problem
Some sites falsely claim a device has a virus to pressure visitors into downloading harmful software. A page’s claim is not a reliable diagnosis. A scam warning that disappears when you close its tab is different from a real Chrome unsafe-site warning; if Chrome itself warns that a site may be dangerous, heed the warning and avoid that site. Google’s explanation of unsafe-site warnings is written for Android, so it supports this distinction rather than desktop-specific steps: Manage warnings about unsafe sites.
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Look more closely if you keep seeing pop-ups or new tabs, get redirected to unfamiliar sites, find your homepage or search engine changed without permission, or see unwanted extensions return after removal. Google lists these as possible signs of unwanted software or malware, not proof that any single warning installed an infection: Remove unwanted ads, pop-ups & malware.
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1. Close the page without interacting
Do not call a phone number displayed in the warning, install its “security” tool, enter payment details, or let a caller connect to your computer. If the page will not close normally, close the tab or the browser. The FTC warns that tech-support scammers may use false virus claims and pop-up numbers to sell useless services, steal card details, or gain remote access and install malware: Tech Support Scams.
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2. Remove unwanted site permissions
- In Chrome, open Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings.
- Review Pop-ups and redirects and Notifications. Remove or block permission for the site sending unwanted alerts.
Chrome menu labels can vary by version. A site you previously allowed to send notifications may keep producing alerts even after its page is closed. Google’s instructions cover managing pop-ups and site permissions: Block or allow pop-ups in Chrome.
3. Review extensions
Open Chrome’s Extensions manager and remove extensions you do not recognize or trust. If an unwanted extension keeps returning, treat that as a reason to check the computer for unwanted software rather than repeatedly removing the extension alone.
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Check installed apps before resetting Chrome
Google recommends checking for unwanted computer programs before resetting browser settings. Don’t uninstall software solely because its name is unfamiliar: if you cannot tell whether an app is unwanted, ask a trusted technician before removing it.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors- Windows: Open Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps, identify the unwanted app, and uninstall it.
- Mac: Open Finder > Applications, move an unwanted app to Trash, and empty Trash.
Google’s desktop guide provides its removal instructions for both operating systems: Remove unwanted ads, pop-ups & malware.
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Reset Chrome if its settings are still changed
- In Chrome, open Settings > Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their original defaults, then choose Reset settings.
- Review your extensions afterward. Some may need to be turned on again; enable only extensions you trust.
A reset addresses changed Chrome settings; it is not a substitute for removing an unwanted app from the computer. Google’s instructions and reset path are in its desktop removal guide.
Reduce the chance of another scare page
- Don’t ignore Chrome Safe Browsing download warnings.
- Avoid software or update prompts that appear in suspicious pop-ups.
- When a download or update prompt looks suspicious, use the program’s official website instead.
If you already called, paid, or allowed remote access
Stop communicating through the pop-up or caller. If you shared payment details, contact your bank or card issuer. For help with the computer, contact a technician or support person you already know through a phone number or channel you can verify independently; do not rely on contact details shown in the warning or supplied by the caller. The FTC’s 2022 Tech Support Scams fact sheet warns that scammers can seek payment or remote access and recommends getting help from someone you know and trust: FTC guidance on tech-support scams. The right technical recovery steps depend on what you shared, installed, or allowed, so get advice specific to that exposure.
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