'Get the Chrome Cleanup Tool' Pop-Ups

The 'Get the Chrome Cleanup Tool' pop-ups you may be shown while surfing the Internet are not to be trusted. The 'Get the Chrome Cleanup Tool' pop-up windows are not associated with products and services by Google Inc. We have seen the 'Get the Chrome Cleanup Tool' notifications appear on untrusted pages that are not part of the Google's infrastructure. The 'Get the Chrome Cleanup Tool' messages aim to scare users into thinking their browser is affected by spyware and adware, which can be removed with the 'Chrome Cleanup Tool.' The 'Chrome Cleanup Tool' program is a legitimate product of Google Inc., which can be found at google.com/chrome/cleanup-tool and downloaded for free in case you need to clean and repair your installation of Google Chrome. However, untrusted software developers use the name to lure users into downloading a corrupted version of the 'Chrome Cleanup Tool,' which we have found to be promoted on the following pages:

• cdn.hauleddes[.]com
• d2fjvs9i9ge4o6.cloudfront[.]net
• installping5[.]info
• plugin.videoclub[.]mobi
• theappinstallgo9[.]com

The text of the 'Get the Chrome Cleanup Tool' warnings reads:

'Chrome found an unwanted program installed on your computer. You may be able to remove it by running the Chrome Cleanup Tool. Get the Chrome Cleanup Tool'

You should note that the list is very likely to be expanded in the coming months because the authors of the fake 'Chrome Cleanup Tool' will switch to using other domains as they get blocked by Web filters. The fake package offered with the 'Get the Chrome Cleanup Tool' alerts may include riskware, threats, and adware of any kind. The original file is provided as 'chrome_cleanup_tool.exe' at google.com/chrome/cleanup-tool and includes a valid certificate issued to Google Inc. while the fake packages might feature the following names:

• official15.0.0.msi
• chrome_cleanup_tool.1494429576154.msi

You should keep in mind that the legitimate 'Chrome Cleanup Tool' can be found at google.com/chrome/cleanup-tool only. PC users that experience the 'Get the Chrome Cleanup Tool' pop-ups should not accept the proposed software. Installing the fake 'Get the Chrome Cleanup Tool' app may lead to data corruption, online identity theft, adware, and a diminished computer performance. AV engines may detect programs and files related to the 'Get the Chrome Cleanup Tool' warnings as:

• Android.Hiddad.GEN5372
• Artemis!7D0BC6B9551D
• Adware.Generic.D46AFFC
• Trojan.iBryte.582
• W32.HfsAdware.F974