Remove unwanted ads, pop-ups & malware

You might have unwanted software or malware installed on your computer if you experience:

  • Pop-up ads and new tabs that won't go away
  • Your Chrome homepage or search engine keeps changing without your permission
  • Unwanted Chrome extensions or toolbars keep coming back
  • Your browsing is hijacked, and redirects to unfamiliar pages or ads
  • Alerts about a virus or an infected device

Tips:

Turn pop-ups on or off

  1. On your iPhone or iPad, open Chrome Chrome.
  2. Tap More More and then Settings Settings.
  3. Tap Content Settings and then Block Pop-ups.
  4. Turn Block Pop-ups on or off.

Allow pop-ups for a specific site

Not all pop-ups are ads or spam. Some legitimate websites display web content in pop-up windows.

  1. On your iPhone or iPad, open Chrome Chrome.
  2. Go to a page where pop-ups are blocked.
  3. At the bottom, under "Pop-ups blocked," tap Always show.

Fix issues with pop-ups

If you're on a page with a pop-up or dialog that won't go away, try these steps:

  1. On your iPhone or iPad, turn Airplane Mode on.
  2. Close the tab with the unwanted pop-up or dialog box.
  3. Close Chrome.

More info about malware

How to spot malware (video, 1:42)

Three tips for spotting malware (1:42)

Learn what to look for when you have malware on your computer and how to stay safe online.

How to avoid malware in the future
  • Beware of sites that may cause you to download unwanted software. For example, if you win a contest or get copyrighted content at no charge.
  • Beware of encrypted archives, like .zip files with a password required, that may bypass antivirus detection scans.
  • Beware of warnings about viruses or infected devices, especially if you haven’t recently used a virus scanner.
  • Avoid insecure connections when you visit sites and don’t download files from sites that don’t start with HTTPS. Learn how to check if a site's connection is secure.
  • Pay attention to Safe Browsing download warnings. To avoid antivirus detections, malicious actors may ask you to turn off or ignore warnings.
  • If a popup about a program update or download seems suspicious, don't click on it. Instead, go to the program's official website to download it.

Related resources

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