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How to remove newtab.club from your browser

Also Known As: newtab.club browser hijacker
Damage level: Medium

What is newtab.club?

newtab.club is another fake Internet search engine that, according to the developers, significantly enhances users' web browsing experience by generating improved results and providing quick access to various popular websites.

Initially, this site may appear legitimate and useful, however, criminals promote it by employing browser-hijacking set-ups that modify browser options without permission. Furthermore, newtab.club records user-system information relating to browsing activity.

newtab.club browser hijacker

More about newtab.club

Rogue set-ups target Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. Following infiltration, they modify the default search engine, new tab URL, and homepage options by assigning them to newtab.club.

In addition, set-ups stealthily install a number of "helper objects" (potentially unwanted programs [PUPs] and/or browser plug-ins) that reassign browser settings when attempts are made to change them.

Therefore, although changes performed by rogue set-ups may seem insignificant, users are unable to revert them and users are forced to visit newtab.club when they open a new browser tab or search via the URL bar. This significantly diminishes the web browsing experience. Information tracking is also a problem.

Research shows that newtab.club and "helper objects" continually record information relating to users' Internet browsing activity.

Developers sell the details to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who generate revenue by misusing private data. There is a high probability that information tracking will lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. If you encounter redirects to newtab.club, uninstall all dubious programs and browser extensions.

Threat Summary:
Name newtab.club browser hijacker
Threat Type Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
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)

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Fake search engines in general

Newtab.club is virtually identical to dozens of other fake search engines such as securesearch.com, chromesearch.info, private-seeking.com, and search.xyz. As with newtab.club, these websites also claim to enhance the browsing experience, however, fake search engines are designed only to generate revenue for the developers.

Most cause unwanted redirects and gather private data. In some cases, they feed users with misleading search results and intrusive ads (banners, coupons, and so on). These typically lead to malicious websites. Therefore, using fake search engines exposes systems to risk of various infections.

How did newtab.club install on my computer?

As mentioned above, criminals promote newtab.club via browser-hijacking downloaders/installers. This deceptive marketing method is called "bundling".

Developers know that users often rush download/installation processes and skip steps. Therefore, all details of browser modifications are hidden within "Advanced/Custom" options or other sections of these processes. By skipping these steps, users inadvertently grant set-ups permission to modify browser options.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Potentially unwanted programs (e.g., "helper objects") are also distributed using the "bundling" method and intrusive advertisements. Therefore, to prevent this situation, be very cautious during the download/installation processes, and when browsing the Internet.

Ensure that you carefully analyze each window of the download/installation processes and opt-out of all additionally-included programs. In addition, download your software from official sources only, preferably using a direct download link. Third party downloaders/installers typically proliferate dubious apps.

These tools should not be used. Be aware that cyber criminals invest many resources into intrusive ad design - the ads thus look legitimate, but are distinguishable, since most lead to gambling, adult dating, pornography, and other dubious websites. If you encounter such redirects, immediately eliminate all dubious applications and browser plug-ins.

IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue set-ups install Google Chrome extensions as Administrator (read more here), thereby preventing removal. Therefore, before taking any further removal steps, perform these actions:

1) Open the Command Prompt by clicking the start menu button and typing "command prompt". Right click the "Command Prompt" result and select "Run as Administrator":

Rogue setups Run Command Prompt

2) Execute the following commands:

  • rd /S /Q "%WinDir%\System32\GroupPolicyUsers"
  • rd /S /Q "%WinDir%\System32\GroupPolicy"
  • gpupdate /force

Rogue setups Command Prompt commands

After performing these actions, you can proceed with further removal steps for this browser hijacker.

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Quick menu:

newtab.club browser hijacker removal:

Windows 11 users:

Accessing Apps and Features in Windows 11

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:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 8

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:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 7

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:

Uninstall app in OSX (Mac)

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.

newtab.club browser hijacker uninstall via Control Panel

In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently-installed suspicious applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted programs that cause browser redirects to the newtab.club website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

newtab.club browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser redirects:

Internet Explorer logoRemove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Removing newtab.club related Internet Explorer extensions

Click the "gear" icon Internet Explorer options 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:

Removing newtab.club from Internet Explorer homepage

Click the "gear" icon Internet Explorer options icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://newtab.club 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:

Removing newtab.club from Internet Explorer default search engine

Click the "gear" icon Internet Explorer options 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 "newtab club".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the newtab.club 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.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows XP

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.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 7

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

Reseting Internet Explorer settings to default in Windows 8 - accessing

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - Internet options advanced tab

Click the Reset button.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - click the Reset button in the Internet options advanced tab

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - confirm settings reset to default by clicking the reset button

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removing newtab.club related Google Chrome extensions

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.

Change your homepage:

Removing newtab.club from Google Chrome homepage

Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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.newtab.club) 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:

Removing newtab.club from Google Chrome default search engine

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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 "newtab", 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 newtab.club browser hijacker, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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.

Google Chrome settings reset step 1

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 2

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 3

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Removing newtab.club related Mozilla Firefox extensions

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions" and remove all recently-installed browser plug-ins.

Change your homepage:

Removing newtab.club from Mozilla Firefox homepage

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://newtab.club and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your default search engine:

Removing newtab.club from Mozilla Firefox 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: "newtab.club"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with newtab.club 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, firefox menu icon in the opened menu, click Help.

Accessing settings (Reset Firefox to default settings step 1)

Select Troubleshooting Information.

Accessing Troubleshooting Information (Reset Firefox to default settings step 2)

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

Clicking on Refresh Firefox button (Reset Firefox to default settings step 3)

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Confirm your want to reset Firefox settings to default (Reset Firefox to default settings step 4)

safari browser logoRemove malicious extensions from Safari:

Removing browser hijackers from safari step 1 - accessing preferences

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...

removing browser hijacker from safari step 2 - removing extensions

In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.

Removing browser hijackers from safari step 3 - changing homepage

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.

removing browser hijackers from safari step 4 - changing the default Internet search engine

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...

resetting safari step 1

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

resetting safari step 2

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) logoRemove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Removing browser hijackers from Microsoft Edge step 1

Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) 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:

Removing browser hijackers from Microsoft Edge step 2

Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) 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:

Removing browser hijackers from Microsoft Edge step 3

To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) 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 Microsoft Edge (Chromium) puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the newtab.club browser hijacker, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 1

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 2

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.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 3

  • If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

declining installation of browser hijackers while downloading free software sampleA 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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users visit newtab.club website?

Directing users to newtab.club allows its creators to increase web traffic to this site, serving various purposes such as boosting the site's online visibility, potentially generating ad revenue, or bolstering its "credibility".

Is visiting newtab.club a threat to my privacy?

Visiting newtab.club can potentially endanger your privacy, as fake search engines often gather diverse data that may be exploited for malicious intents.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser-hijacking applications spread via a range of methods, including bundled installation packages, online scams, misleading promotional websites, freeware and free file-sharing platforms, peer-to-peer networks, unwanted browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements, among other avenues.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove a browser hijacker?

Combo Cleaner conducts a thorough computer scan to identify and remove any detected browser hijackers. Manual removal efforts may prove ineffective in certain instances, especially when multiple hijackers coexist and possess the capability to reinstall one another. Eliminating all these threats at once ensures an efficient solution.

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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Software uninstall instructions
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

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