Can Chromebooks get viruses? It’s complicated

A few days ago I answered a phone call from my mother, who was in a semi-frantic state because her Chromebook was screaming bloody murder at her. Having worked with Chromebooks for many years, I was shocked by the state of hers. Her Chromebook was chock-full of malware and God only knows what else.

Chromebooks don’t get viruses and malware often because ChromeOS has robust security features like automatic updates, data encryption, sandboxing, and so on — not to mention that the entire thing revolves around a browser, rather than running local programs. However, it does happen from time to time, so it’s better to be prepared. I’ll show you what signs to look out for as well as how to remove the virus or malware from your system. Read on to learn more.

Further reading: Best Chromebooks 2024: Best overall, best battery life, and more

Chromebooks has a robust built-in security system at the get-go

Chromebooks come with a bunch of built-in security features, which is why it’s pretty rare for them to get viruses and malware. I’ll list a few of those features below so you have a better understanding of how secure Chromebooks generally are.

• Automatic updates: Chromebooks are almost always up-to-date due to the automatic update system. Updates are important because they improve the device itself and the software it’s running. The automatic updates include security updates, bug fixes, and new features. The updates happen every four weeks, which means you don’t have to lift a finger.
• Sandboxing: Every single web page and application runs in an isolated environment (otherwise known as a “sandbox”). If you happen to stumble upon an infected page, it won’t impact the other tabs you have open. Sandbox effectively isolates the threat.
• Data encryption: Chromebooks will encrypt data like downloads, cookies, and browser cache files. This makes it all the more difficult for a nefarious body to access that data.
• Verified boot: Upon bootup, if your Chromebook detects an anomaly of some kind, it’s designed to do a self-check called “Verified Boot,” in which it will repair itself.

Although a Chromebook’s security system may seem like a fortified fortress, there will still be cracks in the stronghold, as no security system is 100 percent secure.

Signs of a virus or malware on your Chromebook

It’s possible to pick up a virus or malware by falling victim to phishing scams, installing sketchy apps and extensions, and visiting malicious websites. If your Chromebook is infected, you may notice the following signs:

• Sluggish day-to-day performance
• Your screen is inundated with pop-up advertisements
• Frequent crashes
• Your antivirus software isn’t working
• Your homepage will change without warning
• Vanishing files
• Battery drains faster

So, what now? Now that you’ve identified your Chromebook is indeed infected, you’ll want to run an antivirus or malware scan. If all else fails, you can always start anew by factory resetting the device. Let’s go over the remedies with a fine-toothed comb.

How to get rid of a virus or malware

Run an antivirus or malware scan

The most obvious thing to do when your Chromebook is acting up is run an antivirus or malware scan. That said, you’ll need to install an antivirus app that works on Android, as ChromeOS doesn’t offer native support for most antivirus software. Fortunately, there are quite a few options to pick from on the Google Play Store.

I’d personally recommend picking up Avira, which is free to use. Not only does it hide your identity from prying eyes by preventing anyone from using your webcam, but it also blocks phishing websites and comes with a VPN, allowing for additional privacy. To run a scan, open the app and select the blue Smart Scan button. This scan will check for malware as well as privacy and optimization issues.

This app will also alert you if your email was leaked in a security breach. You’ll receive information on which company was breached and when the breach took place.

Remove any suspicious-looking extensions and apps

The Google Play Store is generally a safe place to install apps. However, once in a while, a few bad apples make it through. Luckily, the Google Play Store has a built-in security feature that you can use.

Google Play Protect automatically scans your apps for suspicious behavior. The apps also go through meticulous security testing before appearing on the Google Play Store. All you have to do is open the Google Play Store app, tap the profile icon on the right, select Settings, and turn Scan apps with Play Protect on or off.

In fact, according to a timely article from Forbes, Google is nixing a large number of apps from the Google Play Store in just under two weeks time. This is because Google plans to introduce “tough new quality controls.” This mass culling should also get rid of any malicious threats hiding beneath the surface.

Chrome extensions are a different animal altogether. They’re small programs that can be used to manage passwords, block unwanted ads, and so on. For the most part, extensions are safe to download, as Google puts them through an exhaustive review process to make sure they meet the latest security standards. But, as I mentioned previously, some bad apples manage to get through. Rogue extensions can sniff everything you type or load up the browser with nagging adware, amongst other issues.

To uninstall a suspicious-looking extension, open Chrome and select More > More tools > Extensions. Navigate to the extension you want to get rid of and select Remove. Select Remove again to confirm. You can also remove an extension that’s on the browser tool bar by right clicking the button and selecting Remove from Chrome.

Perform a factory reset

If your Chromebook requires holy intervention (if all else fails), then you can always perform a factory reset on the device and start fresh. Sometimes you’ve got to take things back to to the beginning, you know? A factory reset wipes the slate clean by erasing all user data on your Chromebook’s hard drive. It also removes all the files in your Downloads folder.

The first thing you’ll want to do is navigate to the bottom right hand corner of your screen and click on the timestamp. This action will open a new window that shows the Bluetooth settings, brightness control, and so on. Select the gear symbol on the bottom right.

A new window will pop up. Type the word “reset” in the search bar and select the Factory reset option. Here, click the Reset button on the right and then Restart to confirm. In the Reset this Chromebook window, select Powerwash and then Continue. This process will take a few minutes.

Once finished, you’ll be able to sign back into your Chromebook. Everything will be set like it was when you first used the Chromebook.