Take Control of Browser Notifications

How to Take Control of Browser Notifications: A Real Customer Story
Colonial Beach Tech Support Team

Recently, we received an urgent call from a client struggling with persistent McAfee popups, despite never having installed McAfee on their computer. Even after purchasing and using a Fix Me Stick from BestBuy, they were still experiencing these intrusive notifications. This is a common issue we see, and today we’ll share how to handle unwanted browser notifications and explain what we did to solve our client’s problem.

The Client’s Situation
Our client was frustrated by constant popups appearing from an unfamiliar website, masquerading as McAfee alerts. These notifications were making it difficult to use their computer effectively. After a quick house call, we discovered the root of the problem and implemented a comprehensive solution.

How to Disable Notifications in Different Browsers

Google Chrome:

1. Click the three dots in the top-right corner
2. Select Settings
3. Click “Privacy and security”
4. Select “Site Settings”
5. Click “Notifications”
6. Review and remove unwanted sites
7. Toggle “Sites can ask to send notifications” to off if desired

Firefox:

1. Click the menu button (three lines)
2. Select Settings
3. Click “Privacy & Security”
4. Scroll to “Permissions”
5. Click “Settings” next to Notifications
6. Remove unwanted sites
7. Check “Block new requests” to prevent future popups

Microsoft Edge:

1. Click the three dots in the top-right
2. Choose Settings
3. Select “Cookies and site permissions”
4. Click “Notifications”
5. Review and remove suspicious sites
6. Toggle “Ask before sending” to off if desired

Safari:

1. Click Safari in the menu bar
2. Select Preferences
3. Choose the Websites tab
4. Click Notifications
5. Remove unwanted websites
6. Uncheck “Allow websites to ask for permission to send notifications”

Our Solution
When we visited our client, we:

1. Removed all suspicious browser notifications
2. Installed the free version of Malwarebytes
3. Performed a full system scan, finding and removing 51 potentially unwanted programs (PUPs)
4. Cleaned up Add/Remove Programs, removing suspicious and unused applications
5. Educated the client on safe browsing practices

Prevention Tips:

• Be cautious when websites ask to send notifications
• Regularly review your browser’s notification settings
• Keep your antivirus software updated
• Consider installing Malwarebytes free version for additional protection
• Regularly clean up unused programs
• Be careful when downloading free software (often bundled with unwanted programs)

When to Seek Help
If you’re experiencing:

• Persistent popups that won’t go away
• Notifications from services you never installed
• Suspicious browser behavior
• Slowdown in computer performance

Don’t hesitate to contact Colonial Beach Tech. Sometimes what seems like a simple popup issue can be a sign of more serious problems. We’re here to help with both remote and on-site support to keep your computer running smoothly and securely.

Remember, at Colonial Beach Tech, we don’t just fix the immediate problem – we look for root causes and implement comprehensive solutions to prevent future issues. If you’re experiencing similar problems, give us a call. We’re here to help our Colonial Beach community stay safe and productive online.

Need assistance? Contact Colonial Beach Tech at 804-410-4040.

Serving the Colonial Beach community with prompt, professional, and personalized tech support.