You should probably ask Straight Talk but I would think that the "Launcher" is part of whatever skin that LG adds to Android. A "skin" is software that the manufacturer and/or carrier adds over the stock Android interface. Some people like them, some people don't but you probably can't get rid of it.

I have no idea what you mean by "I can no longer use Chrome." Chrome on your phone?

If some download threatened to lock any phone think I certainly would not approve it unless I was absolutely sure of what it is and where it came from.

Thanks to you both. I did call Straight Talk. They said "oh-I get those also- I updated without any problems". But could not tell me any info. As far as being able to use Chrome- every time I try to open with Chrome the message is on that screen. Cannot cancel/remove or open new screen. Because of the threat to turn phone off I don't think a realiabe company would threaten that. I disabled Chrome and started using 'G' to open. Don't know what else to do.

Try uninstalling and then reinstalling Chrome per chance?

you could also try an just reset Chrome

https://www.howtogeek.com/171924/how-to-reset-your-web-browser-to-its-default-settings/

sounds like you have a bad browser extension in chrome that's causing the pop up

I did call Straight Talk. They said "oh-I get those also- I updated without any problems". But could not tell me any info.

You might want to consider talking a a second tier support person who can explain where this update is coming from and why you need to install it.

Generally speaking there are two types of updates for Android. The major ones come from the carrier "over-the-air" (OTA) include changes to Android itself. They should come out about monthly, (hopefully) for security updates. The other updates are for individual apps and should, for the most part, happen automatically. They can happen anytime the creator of the app wants or needs to update the app. You can set the updates to occur only when the phone is connected to WiFi to minimize cellular data usage.

Apps for Android should only come from the Google Play Store, to minimize the possibility of malware. There is a security setting in Android that allows you to bypass the Google Play store but that should be set to off unless you're 110% sure where the app is coming from. There have been some rare situations where nefarious persons have created legitimate (safe) apps and some future point changed the code to include malware in a update to that app. Google hasn't been quite as good as Apple in policing their store but are making progress. In any case, you're better off using apps from well known companies or where there have been hundreds of thousands previous downloads.

I have no idea why you are getting the message about the "Launcher" when you open Chrome. I also have no idea what "G" is. What you can do is go through whatever apps you may have downloaded since starting to use the phone and disable or delete them one at at time. If you find the problem goes away, then you've found the offending app.

Thx for all info. Because this phone is only a couple weeks old and I have no need for any extra apps. I have not downloaded anything- at least on purpose. I disabled Chrome. Using the red 'G' icon (Google. I think) let's me browse without problems at least for now. There must be a built in malware scanner because I got a 'security scan is ok'or some wording to this effect was on the dropdown window when I turned phone on but looking in apps I could not find an app for any security scan (green shield with a check-mark). So far ok unless harm that I am unaware of. Thx again. Always appreciate good advice!

Well. All: I guess I may have gotten my answer through the tv news tonight. It was just announced that Instagram/Chrome was hacked in the last couple days. Big time. Supposedly the guy is now going to sell the personal info to the highest bidder. Nice people. Not.

Instagram accounts (not Chrome) were hacked through a flaw in an older version of their app. If you don't have an Instagram account or use an older version of the app, you don't have to worry. If you do have an Instagram account, it might not be a bad idea to change your password and make sure their app is up to date.