Malware attack

First, if you dont like Google apps (like Chrome) opening all the time, you need to distance yourself from Google.
(I do not like it happenening either.)

Second, a new phone will download TONS of things when it is first activated and brought online.

This is technically not malware.
Most of it is what we call bloatware.

Unfortunately, this is typically junk apps that have paid money to the carrier/manufacturer to be included as 'system' apps on any given device.

They are not readilly uninstallable, and even if you can, the space thry consume is never available to you as a user.

The best you can hope for is to disable them, so that they will cease to annoy you.

As for the Chrome thing, first get a better browser.

https://f-droid.org/en/packages/acr.browser.lightning/

After setting it up, make it your default browser.

If you dont know how to do this, just ask.

Next, from your homescreen, go to:

Settings
Apps & notifications
Default apps
Assist & voice input
Assist app

Now choose anything besides Chrome or Google.

 

yep sounds like some form of adware to me.

it most likely came from a recent app install. i would put the device in safe mode. safe mode prevents any 3rd party apps from running. if the adware stops then you will know it is comming from a recent app install.

i would then start with the most recent app and wipe it's cache and data, and then uninstall the app. do it in this order. i would start with the most recent and work your way backwards until the issue stops.

i would also wipe cache and data for chrome as well.

 

did you wipe cache and data for the browser?

 

then i would do a factory reset....should take care of your issue.

 

keep in mind that it will delete your data so make sure that you backup accordingly.