Pop-ups, ads, or a changed home page in my browser

1. Remove extensions you don’t recognize

• Chrome: click the three dots, Extensions, Manage Extensions, then remove anything you didn’t install on purpose.
• Edge: three dots, Extensions, Manage extensions, and remove the same way.
• Safari (Mac): Safari menu, Settings, Extensions, and untick or uninstall ones you don’t know.

2. Turn off spammy website notifications

Some websites ask “Allow notifications?” and then fill your screen with ads. In Chrome, go to Settings, Privacy and security, Site settings, Notifications, and remove sites you don’t recognize. Edge is similar under Settings, Cookies and site permissions. In Safari, open Settings, Websites, Notifications.

3. Reset the browser’s settings

• Chrome: Settings, Reset settings, Restore settings to their original defaults. This keeps your bookmarks and passwords but resets the home page, search engine, and extensions.
• Edge: Settings, Reset settings, Restore settings to their default values.

4. Look for unwanted programs

• Windows: Settings, Apps, Installed apps. Look for anything you don’t recall installing, especially something added around when the problem started. Uninstall what you don’t need.
• Then run a full scan in Windows Security (search for it in the Start menu, then Virus & threat protection, Scan options, Full scan).
• Mac: open the Applications folder and drag unknown programs to the Trash. Also check System Settings, Privacy & Security, Profiles, and remove any profile you didn’t set up.

Careful: Don’t click “Update now”, “Your browser is out of date”, or “Allow” on pop-ups. Update your browser only through its own settings. Never call a number shown in a pop-up. See our guide on tech support scams.