Can Chromebooks Get Infected With Viruses?

Here's some important information about viruses, malicious software, and your Chromebook.

ChromeOS is considered a very secure operating system. It's highly unlikely for viruses to infect your Chromebook. To help you feel confident about your device's security, let's go over its safety features and why you don't need antivirus software.

Your ChromeOS device, like many top Chromebooks, is already well-protected against viruses, especially if you keep it updated. We'll explain the security features of your Chromebook and suggest some steps to make it even safer for you and your device.

Can Chromebooks Get Infected With Viruses?

The short answer is no. ChromeOS is generally considered to be quite secure. It's different from Windows and MacOS in how it protects against computer viruses. ChromeOS keeps each web page and app in a separate box, kind of like having individual rooms for them. This means that even if you accidentally visit a harmful website or click on a fake link, it shouldn't be able to mess with the rest of your computer.

If something somehow manages to get past this first line of defense, Chromebooks get regular updates that include security improvements. There's also a feature called "verified boot" that checks your whole system for problems every time you turn it on. If it finds anything bad, it fixes it automatically and gives you a working computer. And if things get really bad, there's a way to go back in time to when your computer was clean and free from any issues.

So, while no system is perfect, ChromeOS does a pretty good job of keeping your computer safe from viruses and malware.

Chromebooks have multiple layers of protection against viruses and other malware.

Additionally, Chromebooks come with built-in security features to protect the data you store on them. While most people use the cloud for their files on Chromebooks, some Chromebooks now have faster and roomier SSD storage, which might encourage you to keep more files on your device. This can give you peace of mind, knowing that your data is not easily accessible to others.

However, it's important to know that Chromebooks can still be affected by harmful software. Even fancy models like the Acer Chromebook Spin 714, which we really liked, can have problems if you don't take precautions.

Which Other Kinds of Malicious Software Should You Be Aware Of?

Viruses may not be a big problem for Chromebooks because they have strong security measures. However, other bad software, like spyware or malware, could try to steal your information. This might include sketchy Android apps, browser add-ons for Google Chrome, or tricky emails and websites that pretend to be something they're not.

Google Play Protect is a helpful tool on Chromebooks. It checks the apps you get from the official Google Play Store to keep things safe. As long as you stick to this store, you're usually good to go. But even here, you should stay cautious.

Sometimes, tricky apps might slip through. So, if something doesn't seem right about an app or extension, take a closer look. See if other people have left reviews or comments to get some insight.

Now, let's talk about why bad apps usually try to fool users rather than harm the Chromebook itself. They might want to steal the info you put into an app, like your login details. Or they could be sneakier, like a keylogger watching everything you type.

Extensions are cool because they make your web experience better. But, like apps, be careful where you get them. Stick to the official Google Play Store to avoid potential issues.

How To Keep Your Chromebook Safe From Harmful Software

While Chromebooks are designed to be secure and protect against malware, occasionally a few malicious things can sneak through. In such cases, you can usually fix the problem by closing the app or website that's causing issues. To keep your Chromebook safe, here are some simple security tips to follow:

1. Keep Your Chromebook Up To Date Regularly

The best thing to keep your Chromebook safe from bad software is to always make sure it's up-to-date. Don't wait around if there's an update – go ahead and install it right away. This helps keep your Chromebook secure.

2. Don't Use Developer Mode

Most folks won't have to turn on Developer Mode on their Chromebooks, and it's better to skip it even if you think it might make your device more secure. It's mainly for folks who are really good at the technical stuff inside their device.

It's a good idea to stick with the official Google Play Store when you're looking for apps and extensions. You only need to switch on Developer Mode if you want to put unofficial apps on your Chromebook, but for most people, that's not necessary.

3. Check App Permissions

When you're downloading apps from the Play Store, make sure to pay attention to the permissions they request. If any of these permissions seem strange or unnecessary, it's a good idea to pause before installing the app. Take a moment to find out why the app needs those permissions and what it plans to do with the information it collects.

4. Check Your Chrome Extensions

Some Chrome extensions can be bad. They can do things like open websites on their own, show you lots of annoying pop-up windows, or steal your private information. Sometimes, even though Google tries to find and remove these bad extensions from the Chrome Web Store, one can still get through.

If you ever think you've added a bad extension to Chrome, you should check it. If you suspect it's bad, just get rid of it and make sure to check if your computer is safe.

Do I Need Antivirus Software or a VPN?

You don't really need antivirus software for your Chromebook. ChromeOS itself does a good job of keeping your device safe from viruses. However, it can be a good idea to use a VPN.

The main way you might run into security problems is when you're on the internet. Sometimes, you might come across harmful browser extensions, websites, or links that could let bad people get into your stuff. While VPNs don't do a whole lot to protect your Chromebook, they can help stop websites or others from tracking what you do online.

So, if you use your Chromebook for important things like checking your bank account, getting a secure VPN is a good move.

How To Fix An Infected Chromebook

Sometimes, even when you try really hard, bad stuff like harmful software can find its way into your computer. If a website takes control of your Chromebook and won't let you close it, it might show a message asking you to pay to use your computer. To fix this, you can do what's called a "hard reset."

Most Chromebooks can be hard reset by turning them off and then holding down a special button called the "Reset" button while you turn the computer back on. You keep holding the button until the computer starts up again. If this doesn't work, Google has more instructions for different kinds of Chromebooks.

Once your Chromebook is back to normal, open Chrome again, but don't click on "Restore" if it asks. This way, the bad website won't come back. Just close that message and go back to using your computer like usual.

If your Chromebook stops working or seems to have a problem, like maybe it got a virus or a strange update, you can try a special mode called recovery mode to make it better. We have a guide that can help you with that, and it also tells you how to get back any lost stuff from your Chromebook.

Sometimes, you might want to make your Chromebook like it's brand new, with no apps or files on it. We have a guide that shows you how to do that, and it explains why you might want to do it and how to do it.