mac browser warning on Chrome toolbar - it's a scam. How do I erase it?

Question

mac browser warning on Chrome toolbar - it's a scam. How do I erase it?

I downloaded Chrome so that I could access Netflix. With it, came a "mac browser warning" in the toolbar which, when the cursor passes over it, freezes the computer and creates pop-ups galore that tell of dire straights unless you call a telephone number. I know it is a scam, because it happened once on another browser. I called, and the person (representing Microsoft supposedly) I talked with wanted all kinds of information in order to get rid of my supposed virus. I said, "no thanks," and told him I had to do more research, and when I did, I discovered that the website was fake, and there were all kinds of horror stories of people who gave them information and then had to pay a ransom to get back information taken from their computer.

My question is, how to get rid of this link on my toolbar without touching it? Once it is touched, the only way to get out of chrome is to force quit.

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)

Posted on Jun 3, 2015 6:22 AM

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Answer 1

thunderzzz

Level 6

8,452 points

Jun 3, 2015 6:25 AM in response to MaevefromBurkeCounty

Try to reset Chrome browser:

In the top-right corner of the browser window, click the Chrome menu
Select Settings.
At the bottom, click Show advanced settings.
Under the section "Reset settings,” click Reset settings.
In the dialog that appears, click Reset.

Download and run adware medic tool

http://www.adwaremedic.com/index.php

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Answer 2

The hatter

Level 9

60,980 points

Jun 3, 2015 6:53 AM in response to MaevefromBurkeCounty

Chrome is also one of the first, with other browsers to follow, alerting about older insecure https security certificates, often used and found on Chase and others.

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Answer 3

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,541 points

Jun 3, 2015 7:16 AM in response to MaevefromBurkeCounty

From where did you download Chrome?

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Answer 4

thomas_r.

Level 7

31,989 points

Jun 4, 2015 4:53 AM in response to MaevefromBurkeCounty

Sounds like you have some kind of adware installed in Chrome that is, in turn, displaying tech support scam pop-ups.

In Chrome, choose Extensions from the Window menu. What extensions do you see listed there? Try disabling them and see if that eliminates the toolbar. If you discover which toolbar is the cause, please post back here with details before deleting it.

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Answer 5

Jun 4, 2015 5:20 AM in response to thunderzzz

I downloaded adwaremedic. At first I got a message that it couldn't be opened because an application couldn't be found. then, I tried it again and it did open and I put it in my applications folder. Is there something I need to do to run it or does it run automatically?

I also reset the settings as you described. The warning is still in the toolbar.

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Answer 6

Jun 4, 2015 5:25 AM in response to thomas_r.

There are two extensions: of which only one was enabled, Google Docs. The other, soavE keoep, was not enabled. It did have a note underneath it that said it was not from Chrome Web Store.

I un-enable the Google Docs extension.

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Answer 7

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,541 points

Jun 4, 2015 7:10 AM in response to MaevefromBurkeCounty

Quit the application. Force quit if necessary.

Relaunch it by holding down the shift key and clicking its icon in the Dock.

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Answer 8

thomas_r.

Level 7

31,989 points

Jun 4, 2015 8:17 AM in response to MaevefromBurkeCounty

MaevefromBurkeCounty wrote:

Is there something I need to do to run it or does it run automatically?

You would need to open it, then click the button with the magnifying glass icon next to the text "Scan for Adware".

That "soavE keoep" extension is known adware. However, it looks like it's a new variant that AdwareMedic won't remove. For now, disable (but don't delete) that extension in Chrome, then contact me privately here:

http://www.thesafemac.com/contact/

I'd like to get a copy of that extension, if you're willing. In addition, if you send me a system snapshot taken with AdwareMedic (choose Take System Snapshot from the Scanner menu in the menu bar), I can look for anything else new that might be installed elsewhere associated with this adware.

(Fair disclosure: I may receive compensation from links to my sites, TheSafeMac.com and AdwareMedic.com.)

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