Resetting a Hijacked Google Chrome

Introduction: 

Google Chrome is a popular web browser, but sometimes it can fall victim to hijacking by browser extensions or malware. If you find yourself in such a situation, it’s crucial to take swift action to reset Chrome to its default and secure state.  

Step 1: Remove Suspicious Extensions

1. Click on the three vertical dots in the top-right corner of Chrome. 
2. Select “More tools” and then choose “Extensions.” 
3. Remove all extensions by clicking “Remove” and confirming with “OK.” 

Step 2: Reset Chrome Settings

1. Click on the three vertical dots again and go to “Settings.” 
2. Scroll to the bottom and click on “Advanced.” 
3. Under the “Reset settings” section, click “Restore settings to their original defaults.” 

Step 3: Close Google Chrome completely.

Step 4 (Windows): Execute Command Prompt Commands  

For Windows users, follow these steps: 

Press Win + X and select “Command Prompt (Admin)” to open Command Prompt with administrative privileges. 

Execute the following commands: 

REG ADD HKLM\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome /v RestoreOnStartup /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
REG DELETE HKCU\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome /v RestoreOnStartup /f
REG DELETE HKLM\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome /v RestoreOnStartup /f
REG DELETE HKLM\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome /v HomepageLocation /f
REG DELETE HKLM\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome /v HomepageIsNewTabPage /f
 

Step 4(MacOS): Execute Terminal Commands

For macOS users, in a terminal as an administrator (typing sudo before the command):  

defaults write com.google.Chrome HomepageIsNewTabPage -bool false
defaults write com.google.Chrome NewTabPageLocation -string "https://www.google.com/"
defaults write com.google.Chrome HomepageLocation -string "https://www.google.com/"
defaults delete com.google.Chrome DefaultSearchProviderSearchURL
defaults delete com.google.Chrome DefaultSearchProviderNewTabURL
defaults delete com.google.Chrome DefaultSearchProviderName
 

Conclusion:

By following these steps, you can effectively reset Google Chrome and eliminate any unwanted changes caused by hijacked policies or malware. It’s essential to regularly review and manage your browser extensions to prevent future security issues. Always ensure your operating system and antivirus software are up-to-date for enhanced protection against potential threats.