Chrome search contest 2021 (identical to “Google membership rewards“) is a form of online scam, which mimics the legal quiz and offers to win a valuable prize only by answering several simple questions. The offer to take part in such an event appears as a banner that covers your browser screen. Such ads’ appearance usually means that you have several viruses on your PC. In this post, you will see what Chrome search contest 2021 scam and how to delete the virus from your computer.
is
What is Chrome search contest 2021 scam?
This kind of online fraud is usually caused by a virus. Adware1, which is likely present on your PC, shows you that banner because adware distributors got paid for this promotion. In this advertisement, you get an offer to take part in a short quiz, to take part in further raffle prizes. Fraudsters warn you that you have a limited amount of time, and the amount of participants is also limited.
If you take part in this thing, you will see a notification stating that you are the winner. Then, you will be asked to enter your personal information – phone number, email address, delivery address, and, sometimes, a credit card number. The last one is needed, as they state, to check if you are a real person or make a payment for your prize shipping. It is needless to say that you will not get anything. And the fraudsters obtain your personal information and even credit card data.
Text presented in the “Chrome search contest 2021” scam:
Chrome search contest 2021 You've done the 5-billionth search. Congratulations! You may be our next lucky winner! Our last winner was Brad Jenkins from your city, who won a Samsung KU6179 Ultra HD TV on 14.05.2019 with his 5-billionth Search. Every time the 5-billionth search is reached, we proclaim a winner and reset the counter. You may choose one of three hidden prizes below. Besides, you will be entered into our Hall of Fame and receive a winner's certificate. Behind every box is a prize. Click on a box to uncover it. For technical reasons, we are not allowed to keep your invitation open for more than 15 minutes. Choose one of the prizes below and follow the instructions on your screen. Recent Winners Richard Sutherland 19. February 2021 Prize: $100 Google Play Card Brendan Skoal 23. January 2021 Prize: Sony Playstation 3 Andre S 20. December 2020 Prize: $500 Google Play Card Therese Bläsen 26. November 2020 Prize: $250 Google Play Card Anime Sucht 22. October 2020 Prize: Apple Watch 3 Katja Schönefeld 23. September 2020 Prize: Galaxy S10 Stefan Lochter 25. August 2020 Prize: $250 Amazon Gift Card suri- ja 16. July 2020 Preis: iPhone Xs Basti Friedel 19. June 2020 Preis: Apple Watch 3 Rene Weger 24. May 2020 Prize: $500 Google Play Card
Chrome search contest 2021 scam alterations
This scam can be seen in different forms. The first thing which is usually altered is the reason why “Google” is so kind. You may be nominated as a billion searcher on this day or a randomly-chosen user; I have seen a wide range of different reasons while doing the research. It is important to remember that neither Google nor other companies that develop web browsers or search engines do not make any raffles.
Another thing that must raise suspicion is the questions they ask you to answer. Some of the questions do not have the right answer in the list, and some cannot be answered during the quiz. And it doesn’t matter which answers you will choose – the page will say that you won regardless of the real results.
How did I get this virus?
Adware is distributed massively since the Internet’s advertising has appeared. The delivery methods were changing with time, and now two methods can be considered the most popular ones. They are malvertising and software bundling.
Malicious advertisements on the web, however, is an old-timer of malware distribution. And the advice to stop clicking the blinking advertisements on untrustworthy websites exists as long as the ads on the Internet. You can also install ad-blocking plugins for your web browser – they will deal with any ads. However, if they are generated by adware already present on your PC, ad blockers will be useless.
Example of malvertising
Software bundling is a widespread practice among the virus developers. Users who hack the programs to make them usable without purchasing a license approve any offer to include another program in the pack because they are gaining money in such away. Check precisely the installation window for signs like “Advanced installation settings” or so. The ability to switch off the malware installation often hides under such items.
How do I remove Chrome search contest 2021 scam?
Adware that causes Chrome search contest 2021 notifications to appear creates several folders throughout the file system. So, the removal process is quite complicated and requires very high skill. Moreover, if you lose one of these folders, the adware will be able to recover itself. It would help if you also reverted the changes it implements into your browser configurations. That’s why it is better to use antivirus programs. My choice for this case is GridinSoft Anti-Malware2.
Removing viruses with GridinSoft Anti-Malware
- Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware. After the installation, you will be offered to perform the Standard Scan. Approve this action.
- Standard scan checks the logical disk where the system files are stored, together with the files of programs you have already installed. The scan lasts up to 6 minutes.
- When the scan is over, you may choose the action for each detected virus. For all files of Chrome search contest 2021 virus the default option is “Delete”. Press “Apply” to finish the malware removal.
Now, when the computer is clean of viruses, we can proceed to the browser reset. You can do this step manually, as well as with the use of GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
Reset browser settings to default
Manual method of browser reset
To reset Edge, do the following steps :
- Open “Settings and more” tab in upper right corner, then find here “Settings” button. In the appeared menu, choose “Reset settings” option :
- After picking the Reset Settings option, you will see the following menu, stating about the settings which will be reverted to original :
For Mozilla Firefox, do the next actions :
- Open Menu tab (three strips in upper right corner) and click the “Help” button. In the appeared menu choose “troubleshooting information” :
- In the next screen, find the “Refresh Firefox” option :
After choosing this option, you will see the next message :
If you use Google Chrome
- Open Settings tab, find the “Advanced” button. In the extended tab choose the “Reset and clean up” button :
- In the appeared list, click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” :
- Finally, you will see the window, where you can see all the settings which will be reset to default :
Opera can be reset in the next way
- Open Settings menu by pressing the gear icon in the toolbar (left side of the browser window), then click “Advanced” option, and choose “Browser” button in the drop-down list. Scroll down, to the bottom of the settings menu. Find there “Restore settings to their original defaults” option :
- After clicking the “Restore settings…” button, you will see the window, where all settings, which will be reset, are shown :
Nevertheless, there is one problem that makes the things much more difficult to repair, particularly without the anti-malware software. Many adware variants used to show you the Chrome search contest 2021 banners are altering the deep browser configurations, disabling access to the settings tab. So, if you attempt to change your browser settings after your computer was penetrated by adware, your browser will crash soon. In some cases, you will see no crash. However, a large lag spike after pressing the “settings” key. The browser will stop responding for ~ 30 seconds, and afterward, it will be back to the typical until you attempt to open settings once again.
Reset your browser settings with GridinSoft Anti-Malware
To reset your browser with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, open the Tools tab, and click the “Reset browser settings” button.
You can see the list of the options for each browser. By default, they are set up in a manner that fits the majority of users. Press the “Reset” button (lower right corner). In a minute, your browser will be as good as new.
The browser reset is recommended to perform through the antivirus tool by GridinSoft because last is also able to reset the HOSTS file without any additional commands.
User Review
( votes)References
- More about adware on Wikipedia.
- Reasons why I recommend you to use GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
