Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - Safe
Installed from Chrome Web Store or official Violentmonkey releases
Warning
Multiple scripts can run per page
Each user script runs in an isolated context to preserve page security
Can I Disable?
✔ YES
Disable or uninstall the extension to stop all scripts
What is violentmonkey-extension?
violentmonkey is a browser extension that lets you run custom JavaScript on websites. It installs as an extension and injects user scripts into pages, enabling automation, UI tweaks, and site-specific features. Scripts can customize behavior across many sites with centralized management.
Violentmonkey uses a content-script + background service worker model. Scripts run in isolated contexts, sandboxed per page; updates and syncing occur via the extension's storage and web requests, preserving browser security.
Quick Fact: Violentmonkey supports per-site scripts and a centralized manager, simplifying enabling, editing, and organizing scripts from one interface.
Types of Violentmonkey Processes (within Chrome)
- Browser Process: Main Chrome window and extension UI (1 instance)
- Renderer Process: Each tab and iframe (multiple instances)
- Content Script Process: Violentmonkey content scripts injected into pages
- Extension Process: Violentmonkey extension host
- Background Service Worker: MV3 background tasks and script management
- Utility Process: Background tasks and network requests
Is violentmonkey Safe?
Yes, violentmonkey is safe when installed from official sources (Chrome Web Store) or the project's GitHub releases, and used according to the permissions granted.
Is violentmonkey a Virus or Malware?
The real violentmonkey extension is not a virus. However, always verify the origin and permissions, and avoid installing untrusted forks.
How to Tell if violentmonkey is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location:: Extension directory: C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\\manifest.json
- Source Verification:: Install from https://chrome.google.com/webstore or the official Violentmonkey GitHub releases; verify publisher is "Violentmonkey Team"
- Permissions Check:: In Chrome: chrome://extensions → Violentmonkey → Details. Review requested permissions; avoid extensions asking for broad access.
- Integrity Check:: Compare scripts with the official repository; if scripts differ significantly, reinstall from trusted source.
Red Flags: If Violentmonkey is installed from untrusted sources, asks for excessive permissions, or the extension files are found outside the Extensions folder, scan with antivirus and reinstall from Chrome Web Store.
Why Is violentmonkey Running on My PC?
violentmonkey runs when you have the extension enabled and scripts configured to execute on web pages, or when it performs background syncing and script updates.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Page Script Injection: Open websites where Violentmonkey injects user scripts for UI enhancements or automation
- Background Script Execution: Service worker or background pages perform script checks, updates, and storage sync
- Script Synchronization: Violentmonkey syncs scripts and settings with cloud or local storage
- Extension Startup: Chrome loads the extension at browser startup or when pages using Violentmonkey scripts are opened
- Periodic Checks: The extension periodically checks for script updates or conflicts with site policies
Can I Disable or Remove violentmonkey?
Yes, you can disable or remove Violentmonkey. You can disable it per-website, disable the extension entirely, or uninstall it from Chrome.
How to Stop violentmonkey
- Disable Extension: Chrome: chrome://extensions → Violentmonkey → toggle off
- Disable Per-Website Script Injection: In Violentmonkey UI, disable specific scripts or sets of rules
- Close Tabs: Close pages that are executing violentmonkey scripts to reduce activity
- Clear Data: In Violentmonkey settings, delete script data or reset extensions
- Uninstall: Chrome: chrome://extensions → Violentmonkey → Remove
How to Uninstall Violentmonkey
- ✔ Chrome Settings → Extensions → Violentmonkey → Remove
- ✔ or Chrome Menu → More Tools → Extensions → Remove Violentmonkey
- ✔ Optionally remove script data from Violentmonkey's settings
Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage
If violentmonkey is consuming excessive resources:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Too Many Active Scripts: Disable or prune unused scripts; group scripts by site or functionality
- Heavy Userscripts: Some userscripts perform heavy DOM manipulation; optimize or remove them
- Background Sync: Disable or limit synchronization; check Settings → Sync
- Conflicting Scripts: Disable conflicting scripts to avoid duplicate injections
- Outdated Extension: Update Violentmonkey to the latest version from Chrome Web Store
- Browser Performance: Run Chrome in performance mode, disable hardware acceleration if needed
Quick Fixes:
1. Quick Fixes:
2. 1. Open Violentmonkey Manager and disable non-essential scripts
3. Update to the latest version
4. Close unused tabs and reload pages
5. Clear browser cache and site data
6. Disable background sync temporarily
Frequently Asked Questions
Is violentmonkey a virus?
No, Violentmonkey is a legitimate Chrome extension for running user scripts when installed from official sources. Verify the publisher and extension ID in Chrome Web Store.
Why is violentmonkey using so much CPU?
High CPU is usually due to a script or a group of scripts running on a site. Use Violentmonkey Task Manager and disable heavy scripts or pages.
Can I delete violentmonkey?
Yes, uninstall it from Chrome Extensions, and delete its script data if you want to reset the setup.
Can I disable violentmonkey?
Yes, disable per-website scripts or toggle off the extension in Chrome extensions.
Why is violentmonkey running at startup?
The extension may auto-load on browser startup or when pages using Violentmonkey scripts are opened.
Why are there so many violentmonkey processes?
Violentmonkey runs scripts in a distinct extension context; multiple processes may be spawned for pages with many scripts or extensions.