Newtab.pro Redirect

What is newtab.pro?

Developers present newtab.pro as a "top quality" web search engine that enhances the browsing experience by generating improved results and providing quick access to various popular websites.

Initially, newtab.pro may seem legitimate and useful, however, this site is promoted using browser-hijacking apps called New Tab PRO (also known as StartPage). Furthermore, this website continually records various data relating to users' Internet browsing habits.

New Tab PRO targets Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. Following infiltration, it assigns newtab.pro as the new tab URL, homepage, and default search engine browser settings. These changes may seem insignificant, and yet users are unable to revert them.

Research shows that New Tab PRO reassigns browser settings when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, users are unable to return browsers to their previous states and are encouraged to visit newtab.pro when they search via the URL bar or simply open a new browser tab. These redirects significantly diminish the browsing experience.

Data tracking is also an issue. Research shows that newtab.pro and "helper objects" record various user-system information relating to web browsing activity. Collected data (IP addresses, URLs visited, pages viewed, keystrokes, etc.) often includes personal details that developers later share with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

There is a high probability that information tracking will lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. If you encounter redirects to newtab.pro, immediately eliminate all dubious applications and browser plug-ins. Never return to this site.

Threat Summary:

Name	newtab.pro 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)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

The Internet is full of fake search engines virtually identical to newtab.pro. The list of examples includes (but is not limited to) str-search.com, kotcatk.com, newtabtools.com, and feed.shopping-day.com. As with newtab.pro, listed sites also claim to enhance web browsing experience, however, these false promises are merely attempts to attempt to give the impression of legitimacy.

The real purpose of all fake search engines is to generate revenue for the developers. They deliver no real value for regular users, cause unwanted redirects, and gather sensitive data.

Some even feed users with misleading results and intrusive ads (coupons, banners, and so on). Both typically lead to dubious sites. Therefore, using fake search engines can lead to high-risk computer infections.

How did newtab.pro install on my computer?

New Tab PRO often infiltrates systems without permission, since developers proliferate this browser hijacker using intrusive advertisements and the "bundling" (stealth installation of third party programs with regular software/apps) method. Developers know that users often rush download/installation processes and skip steps.

Therefore, they hide "bundled" apps within "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other sections) of these procedures. By skipping steps, users expose their systems to risk of various infections and compromise their privacy.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

The main reasons for computer infections are poor knowledge and careless behavior. The key to safety is caution. Potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) are also distributed using the "bundling" method and intrusive advertisements. Therefore, pay close attention when browsing the Internet and downloading/installing software.

Intrusive ads might appear legitimate, but can easily be distinguished, since most lead to gambling, adult dating, pornography, and other dubious websites. Most are delivered by adware-type PUPs. If you encounter these redirects, immediately remove all dubious applications and add-ons.

Furthermore, carefully analyze each download/installation step (using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings) and opt-out of all additionally-included programs. We also advise you to download your apps from official sources only, using direct download links.

Third party downloaders/installers should not be used, since criminals monetize them by promoting rogue apps (the "bundling" method). Having a reputable anti-virus/anti-spyware suite installed and running is also paramount.

Instant automatic malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is newtab.pro?
• STEP 1. Uninstall New Tab PRO application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove newtab.pro redirect from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove New Tab PRO browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove newtab.pro homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove newtab.pro redirect from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

New Tab PRO 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, "New Tab PRO"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

New Tab PRO 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://newtab.pro 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 "Search".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the newtab.pro 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 "New Tab PRO" (or either "StartPage") and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.

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.newtab.pro) 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 "newtab.pro", 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.pro 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 "New Tab PRO" (or "StartPage"), 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, disable "New Tab PRO" (or either "StartPage"), remove hxxp://newtab.pro 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: "newtab.pro"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with newtab.pro 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 newtab.pro 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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