This week Google announced the discontinuation of its Chrome Cleanup Tool, an application designed to identify and remove unwanted software. The tool was introduced in 2015 and had helped users recover from sudden settings changes, as well as performing over 80 million cleanups of unwanted software. Google stated that the tool is no longer needed due to the decrease in user complaints about unwanted software, which only accounted for 3% of user complaints in the past year. Additionally, the number of detections of unwanted software on user devices was very low, with less than 1% of the Chrome Cleanup Tool scans performed last month identifying potential threats.
Google Safe Browsing and antivirus software are more effective at blocking unwanted software, which has led to the Chrome Cleanup Tool becoming redundant. The internet giant has also observed new trends in the malware ecosystem, such as the rise of cookie theft, which resulted in improvements in blocking malware downloads, malicious landing pages, and phishing and social engineering emails. As a result, Chrome 111, released this week, no longer allows users to request a Chrome Cleanup Tool scan or to use the ‘Reset settings and cleanup’ option.
In conclusion, Google has determined that the Chrome Cleanup Tool is no longer necessary due to the improved effectiveness of Google Safe Browsing and antivirus software, as well as the new trends in the malware ecosystem. Chrome 111 has removed the option to request a Chrome Cleanup Tool scan or to use the ‘Reset settings and cleanup’ option. Users are automatically protected by Safe Browsing in Chrome, and can turn on Enhanced protection by navigating to chrome://settings/security.
Key Points:
• Google has discontinued its Chrome Cleanup Tool
• The tool was introduced in 2015 and had performed over 80 million unwanted software cleanups
• The decreasing user complaints about unwanted software, as well as the low number of detections of unwanted software on user devices, have led to the tool becoming redundant
• Google Safe Browsing and antivirus software are now more effective at blocking unwanted software
• Chrome 111 has removed the option to request a Chrome Cleanup Tool scan or to use the ‘Reset settings and cleanup’ option
• Users are automatically protected by Safe Browsing in Chrome, and can turn on Enhanced protection by navigating to chrome://settings/security
