Browser hijackers come in lots of different forms and affect browsers in various ways. The Chrome redirect virus is one example which, unusually, only affects Chrome browsers – though there are variants that affect other browsers too. Once on your Mac, it redirects your homepage and searches, displays intrusive adverts, and tries to direct you to more malware with fake alerts.
Yet another reason to choose KeepSolid VPN Unlimited® for your MacBook is our trial period. Our VPN for Mac offers you a premium set of features that you can use for 7 days for absolutely free. Our full-featured trial period will help you to understand how our app works in practice.
- Install Chrome on Mac. Download the installation file. Open the file called 'googlechrome.dmg'. In the window that opens, find Chrome. Drag Chrome to the Applications folder. You might be asked to.
- Mar 29, 2021 Google Chrome supports more than 100 different languages, making it easy to display the browser in your native language, change the language when you travel to a different country, or explore.
- On the next screen, type Chrome in the Search bar click on Google Chrome in the search results and click on the Uninstall button. After Uninstalling Chrome, go to Google Chrome’s website and download the latest version of Google Chrome browser on your computer. Select the location for ChromeSetup.exe file on your computer and click on.
Everything you need to know about Chrome redirect virus
Firstly, like other browser hijackers, Chrome redirect isn’t a virus at all. It doesn’t replicate itself or copy itself from computer to computer. And it won’t damage your Mac. However, it will frustrate you when you use Chrome, by displaying adverts and pop-ups, redirecting searches, and stealing data such as your IP address and search queries.
You may be wondering how Chrome redirect got onto your Mac in the first place. The answer, as with most malware, is by persuading you to click on a ‘software update’ or by bundling itself with another app that you chose to install. Apple’s built-in security is pretty good, but it can’t stop you if you choose to override it and install apps that contain malware. So malware developers persuade you to do just that, or just hide their code in another app.
To avoid downloading Chrome redirect, never click on an alert in a browser that tells you something on your Mac, like Flash Player, is out of date. And if you see a warning from macOS when you try to install an app, don’t just ignore it. Think carefully about whether you are sure the app you’re installing is safe and doesn’t contain any nasty surprises. macOS has a built-in security tool, called GateKeeper, that’s designed to protect you from apps that present a security risk. By overriding it and agreeing to install an app, you’re removing that protection.
How to remove the Chrome redirect virus on your Mac
The first step is to remove the application that you downloaded just before you noticed the Chrome redirect.
Go to your Applications folder, locate the app and drag it to the Trash. This won’t uninstall it completely, there may still be files on your Mac. Check these two locations by using the Go menu in the Finder and choosing Go to Folder... command.
/Library/LaunchAgents
~/Library/Application Support
Look for any files that contain the name of the application you just deleted and drag them to the Trash. You can use the search bar in the Finder window and search only in those folders, to make it easier.
Google Chrome On Macbook M1
Tip: There is a much easier way to get rid of the virus — use a dedicated antivirus, like the one in CleanMyMac X. It will remove all the files associated with the Chrome redirect virus. It also blocks hidden apps that feed on your Mac's memory. Install the free version of CleanMyMac X and click the Malware Removal tab.
This is what malware removal looks like in CleanMyMac X:
Next, you need to reset Chrome.
- Launch Chrome and paste this in the address bar: “chrome://extensions”
- Look for any extensions you didn’t choose to install.
- When you find one, click it and choose Remove.
- Now paste this in the address bar: chrome://settings
- Go down the page until you see “On Startup” and change the homepage to the one you want.
- Scroll further down the page until you see the Search section. Reset the default search engine to your preferred search engine.
- Go down the page again until you see the Privacy and Security section.
- Click on Clear Browsing Data.
- From the menu, choose the length of time that covers the period since you noticed the Chrome redirect malware and make sure Cookies and other Site Data is checked.
- Press Clear Data.
- Quit Chrome and restart it so the changes take effect.
Once Chrome restarts, the redirect extension and the changes it made to your browser settings will be gone. You should be able to use Chrome as before, without any intrusive adverts.
Did you know?
CleanMyMac X can clear private data like cookies and cache files, left on your computer by websites and malware like Chrome redirect. Just launch it, choose Privacy in the sidebar, press Quit all, then Scan. When it’s done, choose a browser from the list, select the data you want to get rid of and press Remove.
The Chrome redirect virus isn’t a virus at all, but it is a nasty browser hijacker that takes control of Chrome and resets your homepage and default search engine settings. It then displays intrusive pop-ups and adverts as a way to persuade you to download even more malware. Thankfully, it’s not too difficult to get rid of, by following the steps above. And it’s even easier if you use CleanMyMac X for some parts of the process.
The world's number 1 browser
Download Chrome On Macbook Pro
Google Chrome is the most widely used web browser in the world. Users enjoy its fast loading speed, cross-device integration, and tabbed browsing. Google Chrome does not come installed as a standard on new Macs or PCs. Their native web browsers (Safari and Microsoft Edge, respectively) are automatically installed, forcing users to install Chrome themselves.
Seamless internet navigation
Chrome is an ideal browser to enjoy easy, coordinated online browsing across various devices.
Whether you have a new Mac or an older one, Google Chrome sets the bar high for web browsers. You want a browser that is safe, easy to use, syncs data and content across all your devices, and operates quickly. Google Chrome is the solution that over 63% of the world turns to and with good reason. Mac users have distinguished taste and as such, expect high quality in their hardware and software products. Google Chrome delivers this to Mac users with its low CPU usage, reliability, and overall browsing experience. It delivers a high-quality browsing experience to Mac users with its low CPU usage, reliability, tabbed browsing, cross-device syncing, and lighting fast loading speed.
Google Chrome for Mac has a laundry list of features, earning its spot as the top web browser of choice for both Mac and PC users. It offers thousands of extensions, available through the Chrome web store, providing Mac owners with even more functionality. Adobe Flash is also available when you install Chrome on your Mac. The overall appearance is professional and clean. Enjoy customized browser preferences including your homepage of choice, sync and Google services, Chrome name and picture, importing bookmarks and settings, autofill capabilities (passwords, payments, addresses, etc.), toolbars, font, page zoom, and startup settings. Chrome’s user interface is incredibly easy to navigate. Multi-tasking just got easier with tabbed browsing, which not only helps productivity, but looks clean and organized. Since Chrome can be downloaded on all of your devices (computers, phones, tablets), if you open a browser or perform a search on one device, Chrome will auto-sync that work stream on your other devices. If you look up a dinner recipe at work on your Mac but need the ingredient list at the grocery store? No problem - pull up the same tab within Chrome on your iPhone. Once you are home and ready to start cooking, just pull up the same Chrome recipe tab on your tablet. With the world moving faster than ever before, functionality like this can help make life a little easier.
Chrome’s password, contact information, and payment autofill capabilities are revolutionizing users’ online experience. Upon your consent, Chrome’s autofill feature will easily fill out your name, address, phone number, email address, passwords, and payment information. If it’s time to register your child for the soccer season but your wallet is downstairs, Google Chrome has your back, helping you easily fill in the data, so you can stay in your comfy chair. Chrome will only sync this data on your approved devices, so you can rest easy that your information is safe. CPU usage is immensely important when choosing a web browser. Keep your Mac’s CPU free by browsing with Google Chrome, maximizing overall system performance. Chrome for Mac is currently available in 47 languages. It can only be installed on Intel Macs, currently limiting its userbase. Mac users can manage how their browsing history is used to personalize search, ads, and more by navigating to their 'Sync Settings' within Chrome. Encryption options, auto-completion of searches and URLs, similar page suggestions, safe browsing, and enhanced spell check are also available within the settings tab, helping users feel more in control of their browsing experience. Users also have the option to 'help improve Chrome' by automatically sending usage statistics, crash reports, visited URLs, and system information to Google, or can easily opt out within Chrome’s settings.
Where can you run this program?
How Do I Download Chrome On A Mac
Google Chrome is available on MacOS X Yosemite 10.10 or later, Windows 7 or later, Android, and iOS devices. Chrome may successfully install on devices with lesser system requirements; however, Google only provides support on a system meeting the minimum system requirements.
Is there a better alternative?
For Mac users, Safari is the standard out-of-the-box browser installed on new devices. Most users prefer a web browser with better functionality than Safari. Chrome is harder on a Mac’s battery life than Apple’s native Safari browser. However, Chrome comes out ahead of Safari in terms of browsing speed, extensions, and video loading capabilities. Safari does have many of Chrome’s features such as tab syncing across devices and auto-filling based on previous searches. Mozilla Firefox is another commonly used web browser among Mac users, though its memory usage knocks it down on the list of competitors. The main draw to Mozilla Firefox over Chrome is that because Firefox is open source, nothing fishy is going on behind the scenes. Google is notorious for capturing and using data which rightfully makes people uncomfortable.
Our take
Mac users tend to do things their own way. You’ve opted for the non-mainstream computer hardware, so using the native installed Safari browser seems in character. Safari’s minimalist look draws Mac users in as well. Google Chrome is much more 'going along with the crowd'. Putting that aside, Mac owners should dig into what they really use their web browsers for, and determine if data privacy or features is more important to them. Better yet, why not have two browsers?
Downloading Google Chrome On Macbook
Should you download it?
Yes. For Mac users, Google Chrome’s quick speed and helpful features makes it an excellent web browser choice. Google’s controversial collection of personal and usage data is sure to make some pause on whether to install Chrome or not. However, if you are comfortable or indifferent to Google’s data collection, go for it; the browser's overall functionality is impressive.
Highs
- Fast loading speed
- Thousands of extensions available via the chrome web store
- Tabbed browsing synced across devices
- Convenient auto-fill
Lows
- Available on MacOS X Yosemite 10.10 or later
- Google’s aggressive data collection practices
Google Chromefor Mac
75.0.3770.100