4newtab.com Redirect
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is 4newtab.com?
Today In History is a deceptive application that supposedly provides history-related facts. Initially, Today In History may seem legitimate and useful, however, this potentially unwanted program (PUP) infiltrates systems without permission and records sensitive data.
Furthermore, it is categorized as a browser hijacker - a form of software that modifies Internet browser options without users' consent.
Following successful infiltration, Today In History hijacks Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox and stealthily modifies the new tab URL, default search engine, and homepage options by assigning them to 4newtab.com (a fake Internet search engine). These changes may seem insignificant, and yet, users are unable to revert them.
Research shows that Today In History reassigns browser options when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, it is impossible to return browsers to their previous states. Essentially, users are forced to visit 4newtab.com when they open a new browser tab and/or search via the URL bar.
This significantly diminishes the web browsing experience. In addition, after entering a search query in 4newtab.com, users encounter two consecutive redirects to blpsearch.com and search.yahoo.com. Therefore, they are forced to search the Internet via Yahoo - a legitimate search engine.
As mentioned above, Today In History (and 4newtab.com) continually record various user-system information (mostly relating to Internet browsing habits).
Collected data is likely to include personal details that developers of browser-hijacking apps sell to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). In doing so, they put your privacy at risk. Therefore, we strongly advise you to uninstall Today In History browser hijacker and never return to 4newtab.com.
Name | 4newtab.com fake search engine. |
Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
Browser Extension(s) | Today in History, Zip4NewTab, Cats4newtab, Pics4Newtab |
Supposed Functionality | Enhanced search results, improved web browsing experience. |
Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
Serving IP Address | 54.164.53.8 |
Observed Domains | catslp.4newtab.com, click.4newtab.com, comicslp.4newtab.com, lpstatic.4newtab.com, picslp.4newtab.com, todayinhistorylp.4newtab.com, ziplp.4newtab.com |
Symptoms | Manipulated Internet browser(s) settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). User's are forced to visit hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines. |
Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers. |
Damage | Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites. |
Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Today In History is virtually identical to Your Transit Info Now, GamerzLand, Search fort pro, and dozens of other browser-hijacking applications. Although, all offer different functionality, they have identical behavior.
By offering various "useful features", PUPs attempt to give the impression of legitimacy, however, apps such as Today In History are designed only to generate revenue for the developers. Rather than delivering any real value for regular users, PUPs pose a direct threat to your privacy and Internet browsing safety.
Furthermore, fake search engines often generate false results and/or intrusive ads (banners, coupons, so forth). The results and ads often lead to malicious websites. Furthermore, the ads might run scripts that download and install malware. For these reasons, using fake search engines is very risky.
How did 4newtab.com install on my computer?
Some PUPs have official download/promotion websites, however, in most cases, they are proliferated using intrusive ads, together with a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". Due to lack of caution and careless behavior by many users, PUPs typically infiltrate systems without permission.
"Bundling" is stealth installation of potentially unwanted programs together with regular (usually free) software. Developers do not disclose these installations properly - they hide "bundled" apps within the "Custom/Advanced" settings or other sections of the download/installation processes.
Thus, skipping download/installation steps and clicking various advertisements exposes systems to risk of various infections.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
The key to computer safety is caution. Therefore, pay close attention during the downloading/installation processes, and when browsing the Internet. Carefully analyze each window (especially "Custom/Advanced" settings) of the download/installation dialogs and cancel all additionally-included programs.
Furthermore, avoid using unofficial downloaders/installers, since criminals monetize them by promoting dubious apps (the "bundling" method). Criminals invest many resources into intrusive ad design, and thus most look legitimate, however, these ads are distinguishable for their redirects - they typically lead to survey, gambling, adult dating, pornography, and other dubious sites.
If you encounter such redirects, immediately eliminate all suspicious applications/browser plug-ins (intrusive ads are often displayed by adware-type programs).
Websites promoting browser-hijacking extensions (Today in History, Zip4NewTab, Cats4newtab, Pics4Newtab) that promote 4newtab.com fake search engine:
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Quick menu:
- What is 4newtab.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Today In History application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove 4newtab.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove Today In History browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 4newtab.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove 4newtab.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Today In History browser hijacker removal:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
macOS (OSX) users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently-installed suspicious applications (for example, "Today In History"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted programs that cause browser redirects to the 4newtab.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Today In History browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://4newtab.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer. You can also enter about: blank to open a blank page when you start Internet Explorer.
Change your default search engine:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". In the opened window, select "Search Providers", set "Google", "Bing", or any other preferred search engine as your default and then remove "4newtab".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the today in history browser hijacker, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.
Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "Today In History - New Tab" and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.4newtab.com) below the “Open a specific or set of pages” option. If present, click the three vertical dots icon and select “Remove”.
Change your default search engine:
To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list, look for "4newtab.com", and when located, click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the today in history browser hijacker, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions" and remove "Today In History", as well as all other recently-installed browser plug-ins.
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://4newtab.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.
Change your default search engine:
In the URL address bar, type about:config and press Enter.
Click "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "4newtab.com"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with today in history browser hijacker removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...
In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.
In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.
In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage and new tab settings:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".
Change your default Internet search engine:
To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the today in history browser hijacker, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.
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