Do you know what Browser Bleach is?
Browser Bleach is considered to be a potentially unwanted program targeted at Google Chrome users. Its description makes it sound like resetting the browser is a rocket science as it says “You shouldn't need an engineering degree to figure out how to clean up your browser and privacy settings.” However, while we do agree you need to click a few buttons to reset Google Chrome we do not think it is as tricky as the potentially unwanted program’s description makes it sound. No doubt inexperienced users can learn it right away after seeing tutorials from the browser’s developers; not to mention you can go to YouTube and find videos showing you what to do. From what we have learned about Browser Bleach we believe it is better to invest a couple of minutes and learn how to reset the browser than keep a suspicious application that might track users browsing and show him potentially dangerous third-party advertisements. To learn more about such behavior we encourage you to read the rest of this text, but if you are determined to eliminate this add-on, you could slide below and use the provided removal guide.
Browser Bleach has a homepage called browserbleach.com, and it can be downloaded from the Chrome Web Store page. Still, we think there is a possibility same as other potentially unwanted programs it could be distributed with bundled setup files users could download from various file-sharing web pages or after clicking unreliable pop-up ads. Therefore, if you did not find this extension on Chrome Web Store page or its official site we would recommend being more careful while downloading new software in the future, especially if you received this questionable add-on without even realizing it. In which case, we would also suggest picking a reputable antimalware tool that could identify potential threats for you and alert you about them. Just do not forget to update the tool whenever it is possible because an outdated antimalware tool may not be so useful since it might be unable to recognize newer threats.
Browser Bleach screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
The potentially unwanted program settles in by placing several folders titled iejimcobeofncpahebccbpdbjjijpcoi in the specific locations containing Google Chrome’s data. Besides, Browser Bleach might change some of the browser’s preferences, for example, to replace the default search engine or homepage with its own website. According to our computer security specialists, this website should be a search engine. Apparently, it redirects the user through browserbleach.com and then most likely into modified Yahoo search results. The add-on’s Privacy Policy says Browser Bleach might collect user’s visited URL addresses, inserted search keywords, and so on. It seems such data can be shared with the software’s third-party partners and might be used to “present you with offers for other products, offerings, programs, features and/or services.”
The bad news is the third-party advertisements could originate from anywhere, including potentially dangerous websites, for example, sites created to scam the user, web pages distributing other potentially unwanted programs or malware, and so on. Under such circumstances, we do not recommend keeping Browser Bleach installed, and if you do not think it can be trusted either, we encourage you to follow the given removal guide to get rid of it manually. Less experienced users could install an antimalware tool instead and run a full system scan to detect the potentially unwanted program and then delete it.
Eliminate Browser Bleach
- Press Windows Key+E.
- Search for listed paths one by one:
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions
%USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions
%USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings
%USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Profile.*\Extensions
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\\Chrome\User Data\Profile.*\Extensions - Look for folders iejimcobeofncpahebccbpdbjjijpcoi select them one by one and press Shift+Delete.
- Find these two directories:
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Storage
%USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Storage - Search for the following files:
chrome-extension_ iejimcobeofncpahebccbpdbjjijpcoi_0.localstorage-journal
chrome-extension_ iejimcobeofncpahebccbpdbjjijpcoi_0.localstorage - Mark them and tap Shift+Delete.
- Locate this path: %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default
- Select files called Preferences and Secure Preferences separately then erase them by clicking Shift+Delete.
- Exit the Explorer.
In non-techie terms:
Browser Bleach might look like a useful tool for inexperienced users as it may provide a few handy icons allowing to clean history, cookies, browse incognito, and so on. Nonetheless, keep it in mind these features are provided by Google Chrome, which means your browser has them with or without the potentially unwanted program; you just have to learn how to access them. Given the application might show users questionable advertising content and could track their browsing we would not recommend leaving it installed. Thus, if your computer’s safety is more important to you then accessing the tools you need with a few clicks less, we encourage you to erase this add-on with no hesitation. One of the ways to do so is to follow the removal instructions available a bit above this text. They will show how to delete it manually. Users who find the process too tricky could merely install a reputable antimalware tool and leave this task to it.