Updated on: July 17, 2024
Short on time? Here’s how to remove virus notifications from Google Chrome:
- Preliminary Step. Block further unwanted notifications, then remove any suspicious browser extensions — check and uninstall extensions you don’t recognize.
- Run an Antivirus Scan: Use a reliable antivirus program to conduct a full system scan. I highly recommend Norton for this.
- Eliminate Any Malware: After the scan, follow the antivirus prompts to remove all detected malware. Ensure that the software is updated to handle the latest threats.
- Maintain Security: Keep your antivirus software and its real-time protection feature active. Regular updates and scans are also crucial in defending against new threats.
Not all Google Chrome notifications are malicious, but many of them definitely are. Oftentimes, these notifications present themselves as virus alert pop-ups from reputable companies, but they’re actually fake.
Luckily, getting rid of these notifications is relatively easy with the use of reliable antivirus software. You just need to keep in mind that not all antiviruses come with features that can protect you from fake virus notifications. Many free (and paid) options don’t include real-time protection, web protection, a firewall, an ad blocker, and more.
That’s why I’ve tested dozens of antivirus apps to find the best options. Overall, Norton is my top pick thanks to its perfect malware detection rates, good real-time protection, Smart Firewall, and a variety of extra internet security features to help keep you safe. But Norton is not the only excellent choice — read on to learn more now.
Preliminary Step 1. Block Further Notifications
The first step is to try to avoid getting any further unwanted notifications.
Some sites — especially news and social media sites — can send you requests to allow notifications. I highly recommend blocking any permission requests at all times — unless you completely trust the site in question and want to receive notifications from it.
To stop notifications, simply click Block when the pop-up appears. After that, check out my full guide on permanently blocking all notifications on Google Chrome.
Preliminary Step 2. Revoke Already Granted Notification Permissions
- The first step is to identify the offending notification’s URL. You’ll see it whenever the notification appears, so take a note.
- Next, click the 3 dots in the top-right of your Google Chrome browser beside your user icon. Then, click Settings.
- Go to Privacy and security (on the left) and select Site settings.
- Under Permissions, click on Notifications and look for the URL you’ve written down under Allowed to send notifications. Once you find it, click on the 3 vertical dots next to it and select Block.
This is just for single offending URLs that send you notifications. Check out my guide down below on how to permanently disable all sites from sending notifications (this is what I highly recommend doing!).
Preliminary Step 3. Check for (and Remove) Suspicious Chrome Extensions
Sometimes, extensions can get installed by accident or without your knowledge and cause unwanted notifications or pop-ups. Here’s how to remove malicious Google Chrome extensions:
- Click the 3 vertical dots in the top-right corner of Chrome:
- Find Extensions, then Manage Extensions.
- Click Remove on any suspicious-looking extensions you don’t recognize.
Once you’ve completed the initial steps, if the alerts persist, it may be necessary to reset your Chrome browser to its default settings. This action will clear any permissions, remove cookies, and revert all settings back to their default state. Here’s a quick guide on how to proceed:
- Click the same 3 vertical dots and then Settings.
- Search for Restore settings to their original defaults and click it when the option appears.
- Click Reset settings. After that, head down to Step 1 of the adware removal procedure.
Now you can proceed to Step 1.
Step 1. Identify Fake Virus Notifications With an Antivirus (and Don’t Make the Problem Worse!)
IMPORTANT: Don’t connect any mobile devices, USB drives, or any other external drives to a computer that may be infected. Connecting these devices to an infected system could cause the malware to spread to those devices.
I highly recommend downloading and installing trusted antivirus software. I use Norton — it consistently scored perfect malware detection rates in my testing.
A full scan is critical to detecting and removing all malware, including malware that causes fake virus notifications in Chrome. The scan also helps identify other hidden threats, like spyware, rootkits, and worms.
Just remember to allow the antivirus to complete the full scan. Prematurely stopping the scan could miss additional hidden threats.
The duration of the scan can vary, often taking anywhere from a few minutes to over an hour, depending on your device. Patience is crucial during this process to ensure every file and process is checked thoroughly.
Once complete, the antivirus should have identified and isolated all malware, securing your system from threats such as deceptive virus notifications.
Now you can head to Step 2.
Step 2. Remove Malware Associated With Fake Virus Notifications
After malicious files have been quarantined, you generally have the option to review them before deletion, but it’s usually safer to simply let your antivirus handle the removal process.
Once you’ve removed these files, you should restart your computer and perform another full scan. This helps ensure that all traces of malware are completely eliminated. This second scan also tends to be faster since many antivirus tools can skip files previously marked as safe.
You’ve now successfully removed the malware causing the fake virus notifications — but there are many other threats out there, so it’s crucial to stay protected.
Step 3. Keep Your Device From Getting Re-Infected
Here are some tips to help you prevent future fake virus notifications on Google Chrome:
- Use a good antivirus: Install good antivirus software (like Norton). These programs scan your computer regularly, detect threats in real-time, and remove harmful software before it can cause damage.
- Be careful with browser extensions: Only add extensions from trusted sources like the Chrome Web Store. Before downloading an extension, read user reviews and research the developer’s reputation.
- Update your browser and software: Keeping your browser and all installed software up to date is crucial. Developers release regular updates to fix security holes that hackers could exploit.
- Don’t grant notification permissions: Be cautious about allowing websites to send notifications. Malicious websites often use these permissions to send fake virus alerts. Always verify the legitimacy of a site before allowing notifications.
- Fortify your network and devices: Use strong, unique passwords for all your devices and your Wi-Fi network. This prevents unauthorized access and secures your personal information. The best password managers, such as 1Password, can help you to easily generate and store complex passwords..
By following these tips, you can better protect your computer from fake virus notifications and other online threats.
3 Best Antivirus Programs for Removing Virus Notifications From Google Chrome
Quick summary of the best antiviruses for removing virus notifications from Google Chrome:
- 🥇 1. Norton 360 — Best for comprehensive adware removal on Chrome (plus excellent real-time protection).
- 🥈 2. Bitdefender — Lightweight, cloud-based antivirus, great for real-time adware defense.
- 🥉 3. TotalAV — User-friendly and perfect for beginners, with simple and effective protection.
Why Am I Seeing Google Chrome Notifications?
Oftentimes, websites ask for permission to send you notifications. They request this permission to keep you engaged and increase their chances of bringing you back to the site. While this can be useful for staying updated with content you care about, it can also lead to unwanted distractions if the permission is granted unintentionally.
Some of these sites use unclear or confusing language, which can easily lead to accidentally clicking Allow. Once you click Allow, the website gains the right to send you notifications. These can range from pesky advertisements to genuine alerts, and they will appear even when you’re not actively browsing that site. This can become pretty annoying if the notifications are frequent or intrusive.
Are Google Chrome Notifications Dangerous?
Google Chrome notifications themselves are not inherently dangerous — however, they can be used as a tool for cyber attacks. Websites that have permission to send notifications can potentially use this feature to deliver malware or direct you to unsafe sites.
For example, a notification might mimic a legitimate alert, tricking you into clicking on it, which could lead to downloading harmful software. Worst of all, it could prompt you to enter personal information on a phishing site.
The risk increases with notifications from less reputable sources. If a website prompts you unexpectedly and frequently for permission to show notifications, it’s often a red flag. Cybercriminals use this tactic to push their agendas, including scams and malware dissemination.
I always recommend managing these permissions carefully and only allowing notifications from websites you trust and like.
How to Block Notifications on Google Chrome
It’s really easy to block all notifications on Chrome. Just follow the steps 1-3 described in the Preliminary Step 2. Then, click the button that says Don’t allow sites to send notifications.
Keep in mind that this will disable all notifications on Google Chrome. If you want to continue receiving notifications from certain sites, you can allow specific URLs.
To do so, simply click the Add button to allow specific URLs:
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get rid of Chrome virus notifications?
First, confirm the notifications are indeed fake and not legitimate security warnings. To do this, simply go to your Google account, open Recent security activity, then Open security activity. The notification you received should be listed there. If it’s not, the notification is a fake. In that case, you should go into your Chrome settings, navigate to Privacy and security, click on Site settings, then under Permissions, click on Notifications. Here, you can review which sites have permission to send you notifications and block those sending fake virus alerts. Here’s a complete step-by-step guide on how to block Google Chrome notifications.
Additionally, running a reputable antivirus like Norton can help identify and remove any malware causing persistent fake alerts. Norton can also protect you in real-time after you remove any malware from your system.
How do I get rid of fake virus notifications?
Start by identifying the source of the notifications in your browser settings. In Chrome, you can access this by clicking on the 3 dots at the top right of the browser, selecting Settings, then Privacy and security, and finally Site settings. From there, select Notifications and look at the list of sites allowed to send you notifications.
Remove any suspicious or unknown sites. It’s also wise to scan your computer with good antivirus software to ensure that the notifications aren’t being triggered by malware.
How do I stop Chrome from saying “virus detected”?
If Chrome repeatedly warns that a virus is detected, first verify whether the warnings are from Chrome itself or from a malicious site. If the notifications are unwanted or from an untrusted source, you can block them.
To do that, click the 3 dots at the top right of Chrome, click Settings, then Privacy and security. Click Site settings and then Notifications. Here, you can see and deny permissions to any site that seems suspicious. Regularly updating your browser and security software can also help to block emerging threats.
