Windows has the reputation of the most vulnerable operating system to malware. It is on the other hand, the most used desktop and laptop platform around the world.
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You may have wondered why you always need to have an anti-virus on windows system but never on Linux or Mac OS systems. Although antivirus software is necessary for each platform, but Windows is most susceptible to attacks.
Popularity
Microsoft Windows undeniably powers most of the world’s desktop computer and laptops today and has been the case for most of the years. This makes it the prime target for malware makers. It is therefore, the most vulnerable to viruses.
With access to most people, malicious malware creators will seek to infect average PCs with mischievous agenda like stealing credit card numbers and vital financial data. As a result, Windows has a long history of succumbing to attacks from malware but the reason for this susceptibility is not only based on its popularity and wide use but also its design.
- Detects Known and Unknown Malware
- Fast and Lighweight
- Includes Web Browser Cleaner
- Ransomware Protection
- Zero Day Malware Protection
History of Windows Security
Initially, Microsoft was not keen on securing Windows when they first started out releasing the operating system. The original versions of Windows were open and never limited users from accessing personal data. Linux and Mac OS X, on the other hand, focused on limiting unauthorized access from scratch.
Although Windows 3.1, 95, and 98 seemed like advanced operating systems, they were based on the old DOS. It was a single-user design without proper user accounts. DOS did not offer security restrictions and proper file permissions to reinforce protection of data and the OS from intrusions.
There was no dire need for it anyway, so it took time before the company shifted its attention towards reinforcing security measures. The result was Windows NT, which became the base for later popular versions such as Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10. These are modern multi-user platforms that include security features to restrict unauthorized entry.
Userbase Difference
Unlike Windows and Mac, Linux gives users the widest range of privileges. You however, need background computer knowledge to take advantage of the privileges. This explains why Linux userbase is technical savvy (exceptions).
Most of them have extra computer technology knowledge and know more about computers than Windows and Mac users. It also explains the reason they are not as large as Windows and Mac’s userbase.
Although the products are few on the market and cannot match sales with their biggest competitors, they are effective in vital functions such as web servers. These Linux servers are effectively protected from potential attacks hence there is no need for anti-virus.
Ubuntu users, for example, are less likely to get a virus from downloading infected attachments than Windows users. Extensions such as NoScript restrict automatic running of scripts while online. With this measure, users intensify their security and make it harder to get compromised.
Windows users are mostly average PC owners who know just enough to complete their daily duties. A large group of them are naïve and only use their laptops for social media, music, and movies.
Being not so tech-savvy, they easily become victim of social engineering attacks. There are many other factors which contribute to their vulnerability.
Security Features
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Linux users enjoy security privileges not available on Windows and Mac. The Linux system demands that to execute a file, you first make it executable. This means the user sets specific permissions to enable it to run.
This makes it the most secure of the three operating systems.
You require root level access to make major changes to your PC. Majority of the users therefore, log into the root account whenever they need to make specific permissions or restrictions. The rest of time, they use their normal account.
Latest Windows versions also have multiple accounts system; the administrator and normal user accounts. However, almost all the users only use their main administrator account ignorant of the security privileges that normal accounts provide.
The security system is exposed and easily tampered with. This is not the case in Linux because it is only until you log into the root account that you can make critical changes.
Microsoft’s seriousness with their security was revealed in their release of Windows XP Service Park 2 and the subsequent versions. Since then, the later versions came with powerful firewalls and other security features like the security center that keeps reminding users to install antivirus programs to intensify their security.
Conclusion
It is safe to conclude that there are many contributing factors that make Windows the most vulnerable OS to viruses. There is no distinct reason for its weak security system. Still it continues to lead its competitors as the most popular among average users even with the introduction of smartphones.
This means they also maintain their rank as the most targeted operating system. Users in developed countries are rapidly switching to Macintosh and as a result, turning the focus of malware creators towards the Mac users.
Most naïve users continue to survive with their machines as they increase the risk of exposing private and confidential information to mischievous malware authors. Tech savvy individuals mostly choose other versions outside Windows but they form a small and insignificant population compared to global average Windows users.
Google Chrome is undoubtedly the most popular and most used web browser in the Internet world. It is a feature-rich application that provides its users with an enhanced web browsing experience on every platform – Windows, Android, Mac, and iOS.
Google also updates it on a regular basis for tackling modern threats. However, despite such a huge status, Chrome is not free from security threats. Many users have experienced one or more of the following problems in it:
- Chrome homepage and default search engine get automatically changed and keep regularly changing, without permission from users.
- Pop-up ads keep on coming frequently.
- Some Chrome extensions and toolbar that has been removed keeps coming back.
- While browsing, they are unknowingly redirected to unfamiliar websites or webpages.
If you are also undergoing one or more of these problems, then your system is infected with Browser Malware such as Pop-up ads, Adware, Browser Hijacker, etc.
In this guide, we will discuss how to get rid of such malware programs and also discuss answers to some frequently asked questions on Chrome Virus Scan.
Remove Browser Malware from Windows
For Windows users, Chrome provides its own malware scanner to scan and quarantine the potentially harmful files or applications.
By default, Chrome malware scanner automatically checks for suspicious applications or files and asks users to Remove them after scanning.
However, if you want to perform manual scanning using Chrome antivirus scanner, perform the following steps:
- Open Google Chrome browser
- At the top-right corner, you will see the three-dots icon. Click it and look for Settings.
- Move at the bottom of the Settings page and click on Advanced.
- Again scroll down and under “Reset and clean up,” click on Clean up computer.
- Click Find and uncheck the “Send details to Google….” below, if you don’t want to share the details with Google.
- Chrome will scan your computer and ask for removing the malicious application and files. Click on Remove to remove them.
- Restart your system, and you shall be free from the Browsing Malware.
Restore Quarantine Files in Windows
If you think one of your safe files is removed by Chrome by mistake, then you can restore it quickly.
- On your system open following path – %USERPROFILE%AppDataLocalGoogleChrome Cleanup ToolQuarantine
- You will find a folder named Quarantine. Open it.
- Click Continue.
- Now right-click on the file which you want to restore and click Extract all.
- Enter chrome_cleanup whenyou would be asked for a password, and your file will be restored.
Remove Browser Malware from Mac
Like in Windows, Google Chrome doesn’t have an in-built anti-virus to scan for Malware in Mac OS. However, you can still remove the Browser Malware from your Mac system manually. For that, you have to remove programs from your device that you don’t remember installing or the programs that appear suspicious.
- On your Mac device open Finder
- On the left side, look for Applications and click it.
- Now search for the programs that you don’t remember installing or any suspicious program.
- Right-click on the name of that selected program.
- Click on Move to Trash.
- One by one, remove all the unwanted programs.
- When you are done removing the programs, on the bottom, right-click on Trash.
- Click on Empty Trash.
Your Mac system will be free from Browser Malware after performing the above steps.
Remove Browser Malware from Android
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Like Mac devices, Android devices, too, don’t have the inbuilt Chrome Antivirus Scanner. But you have another method to remove the Browser Malware.
1. On your Android phone or tablet, press and hold the power button.
2. On your screen, touch and hold the power icon. It will restart your device in Safe Mode. You can see the ‘Safe Mode’ written at the bottom of your screen and you have access only to the system apps.
3. Now all you have to do is one by one, start removing the recently installed applications. Also, remember to make a list of apps that you are removing, so that if they are safe, you can reinstall them later.
4. After each removal, restart your device in normal mode and see if the problem is fixed or not. Until the malicious apps are caught, repeat the above step.
5. After the problem causing application is found, you can reinstall the other applications that you have removed.
You can consider installed MalwareFox Anti-Malware for Android to get rid of malicious apps.
Does Chrome have inbuilt Antivirus?YES, Google Chrome comes with an inbuilt Malware scanner. It can search and report the malicious files and applications that are causing the trouble on your system or browser.
However, this inbuilt anti-malware only comes with the Windows version of Google Chrome.
Scanning for viruses can be done very easily on Google Chrome. In this guide, we have explained how viruses can be caught and removed from Windows, Mac, and Android.
How do I fix the redirect virus in Chrome?For Windows version, Chrome comes with an in-built malware scanner that can detect and remove the malware on your systems. It can easily fix the redirect virus. For Mac and Android users, unfortunately, there is no in-built anti-malware. However, in this guide, we have already explained how to remover browser malware from them.
Can Google Chrome be hacked?Google Chrome cannot be ‘hacked’ easily because of Google’s top security. However, Chrome can be ‘hijacked’ by the cybercriminals using various browser hijacker malware programs. If you encountered any of them, we have provided a solution in this guide for fixing it.