Is this malware?

It is not enough to prove malware from those tabs alone. A more likely explanation is that a website, browser notification, popup flow, or a misleading sign-in page opened multiple tabs to get attention. Microsoft notes that malicious or compromised websites can open aggressive popups and misleading content, and tech support scam pages can use full-screen pages, repeated pop-ups, and fake Microsoft-related messages.

What to do next:

1. Run a full scan in Windows Security
   • Open Windows Security.
   • Go to Virus & threat protection.
   • Run a Full scan.
   • This checks whether anything was actually installed.
2. Check Chrome notification permissions
   • If a site was allowed to send notifications, it can keep trying to get attention.
   • In Chrome, open notification settings and remove any site that is unfamiliar or suspicious.
3. Review recently installed apps
   • Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
   • Sort by install date.
   • Uninstall anything recent that was not intentionally installed.
   • Some unwanted software adds uninstall entries and can be removed this way.
4. Remove suspicious browser add-ons
   • Check Chrome extensions and remove anything unknown.
   • Unwanted software can include intrusive browser plugins and adware.
5. Clear browser data
   • Clear Chrome cache, cookies, and site data.
   • This is especially useful if the behavior came from a malicious or compromised webpage rather than an installed program.
6. Be cautious with fake browser update prompts
   • If any page claimed the browser needed an update, do not use that prompt.
   • Close it and use the browser’s own Help > About page to check for legitimate updates.
7. Keep Windows, Chrome, and security protection current
   • Keep software updated.
   • Keep Microsoft Defender Antivirus or another current antimalware product active.

If the scan is clean and no suspicious apps or extensions are present, this points more toward a bad site or notification permission than a full system infection.

References:

• Protect yourself from online scams and attacks
• Protect yourself from tech support scams
• Prevent malware infection
• Unwanted software
• I keep getting these notifications on my Google Chrome notifications. How do I clear these and protect myself - Microsoft Q&A