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Chrome Hijack--Can't Get to Settings

K

kathy2343

Newbie
My Android Chrome browser has been hijacked, and the pop-up won't allow me to get to the Chrome warning page underneath it, to any other page, or to settings. It's one of those bogus "your device is infected; click OK to installed product X" notifications.

I've cleared cache, disabled Chrome, uninstalled updates and returned to factory setting, tried safe mode--nothing helps. I can't uninstall and reinstall because it's a factory app.

Phone is a Galaxy Note 8, not rooted, running Android 7.1.1.

Help!
 
Are you sure the pop-up is coming from Chrome? If you've disabled Chrome, and it still pops up, it's most likely coming from a different source. Try booting into safe mode and see if it goes away. If you don't get the pop-up in safe mode, then it's definitely from and app.

File utilities, lock screens, phone optimizers, wall paper or ringtone apps are notorious for this.

Have you installed and apps *not* from the play store?
 
Thanks, but it's happening only in Chrome - it comes up on top of the web page. I think the Chrome warming about my settings having been changed is underneath but I can't get to it because the pop-up is on top. And the menu button and window picker are both invisible.

It still appears in safe mode. Chrome is completely hijacked.
 
Try doing a 'Clear data' on the Chrome app. Clearing the cache does just that, only the cache. If something has integrated itself into your Chrome app's settings/configuration, you have to use 'Clear data' to wipe them. This returns Chrome to its original, first-time-used status.
 
THANK YOU! Clearing the data solved the problem. I have to restore some of my Chrome windows and settings and lost some open windows I'd wanted to revisit, but that's far better than having to factory reset my highly customized phone. I appreciate the tip!
 
Thanks for the Android Police tip as well. I've enabled that feature in Chrome, and hopefully it will prevent any future occurrences. BTW, the image at the link you provided shows the very pop-up window I was dealing with.
 
kathy2343 said:
My Android Chrome browser has been hijacked, and the pop-up won't allow me to get to the Chrome warning page underneath it, to any other page, or to settings. It's one of those bogus 'your device is infected; click OK to installed product X' notifications.

I've cleared cache, disabled Chrome, uninstalled updates and returned to factory setting, tried safe mode--nothing helps. I can't uninstall and reinstall because it's a factory app.

Phone is a Galaxy Note 8, not rooted, running Android 7.1.1.

Help!
Click to expand...

I had this problem one day, so here's what I did...
I finally just hit the install button, which of course, took me to Google Play. Once I got there, I was able to close the screen and the Chrome app.
Hope that helps.
 
kathy2343 said:
My Android Chrome browser has been hijacked, and the pop-up won't allow me to get to the Chrome warning page underneath it, to any other page, or to settings. It's one of those bogus 'your device is infected; click OK to installed product X' notifications.

I've cleared cache, disabled Chrome, uninstalled updates and returned to factory setting, tried safe mode--nothing helps. I can't uninstall and reinstall because it's a factory app.

Phone is a Galaxy Note 8, not rooted, running Android 7.1.1.

Help!
Click to expand...
 
kathy2343 said:
My Android Chrome browser has been hijacked, and the pop-up won't allow me to get to the Chrome warning page underneath it, to any other page, or to settings. It's one of those bogus 'your device is infected; click OK to installed product X' notifications.

I've cleared cache, disabled Chrome, uninstalled updates and returned to factory setting, tried safe mode--nothing helps. I can't uninstall and reinstall because it's a factory app.

Phone is a Galaxy Note 8, not rooted, running Android 7.1.1.

Help!
Click to expand...

______________________

Hi,
Here's what did the last time this happened to me...
I know this is gonna sound crazy, but try it!
1. On the fake app box, hit the 'Install' button.
2. This will take you to Google Play (Usually).
3. Once you are there, you should be able to simply close the
Screen. (No, you will not have to download the app.)
Hope that helps you!😁
 
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