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Removing Quick Tag browser hijacker and quicknewtab.com redirect

Also Known As: quicknewtab.com redirect
Damage level: Medium

What is Quick Tag?

Quick Tag is a rogue browser extension, which our research team has determined to be a browser hijacker. This piece of dubious software modifies browsers to promote the quicknewtab.com fake search engine.

quicknewtab.com browser hijacker

Quick Tag browser hijacker overview

Once installed onto our test machine, we observed Quick Tag assigning quicknewtab.com as the browsers' homepage, default search engine, and new tab/window URLs. Hence, when we opened new browser tabs/windows and entered search queries into the URL bar - they redirected to quicknewtab.com.

Fraudulent search engines typically cannot generate search results and redirect to genuine ones. Where quicknewtab.com redirects to depends on the user's geolocation. We have observed this search causing the following redirects: to Google (google.com) and via my-search.com and trafficjunction.com to Bing (bing.com). However, other redirect chains are possible.

Furthermore, Quick Tag uses persistence-ensuring methods to prevent browser recovery. Quick Tag also has data tracking abilities, typical for browser hijackers. Information of interest may include: URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, personally identifiable details, and so forth. Browser hijacker developers monetize the gathered data by sharing it with and/or selling it to third-parties.

In summary, the presence of software like Quick Tag on devices can lead to severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:
Name Quick Tag
Threat Type Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s) Quick Tag
Promoted URL quicknewtab.com
Detection Names (quicknewtab.com) alphaMountain.ai (Suspicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (quicknewtab.com) 104.21.40.106
Affected Browser Settings Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine
Symptoms Manipulated Internet browser settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit the 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 browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites.
Malware Removal (Windows)

To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner.
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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.

Browser hijacker examples

Best-CouponSearchSearch-Power, and Nuhtab are a few examples of the browser hijackers we have researched. They look legitimate and offer "useful" functionalities (e.g., improved browsing experience, easy access to online content, etc.). However, these functions seldom work as advertised, and in most cases - they do not work at all.

How did Quick Tag install on my computer?

Our researchers discovered Quick Tag when inspecting spam browser notifications, which redirected them to this browser hijacker's download page.

There are many ways to inadvertently access such webpages, e.g., via mistyped URLs or redirects caused by deceptive notifications, sites using rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads, or adware capable of force-opening websites.

Software bundling - packing program installers with unwanted/malicious additions - is used to spread browser hijackers as well. Download from untrustworthy channels and rushed installations - increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.

Intrusive advertisements are used to proliferate adware as well. Once clicked on, the adverts can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user consent.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We strongly recommend researching software and downloading only from official/verified sources. Dubious download channels, e.g., freeware and third-party websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc. - commonly offer bundled/harmful content.

When downloading/installing, it is important to read terms, explore available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out of all additions.

We also advise exercising caution when browsing, as fraudulent and malicious material typically looks legitimate. For example, intrusive ads appear harmless yet redirect to various questionable sites (e.g., pornography, adult-dating, gambling, etc.).

If you encounter such adverts/redirects, inspect your system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Quick Tag, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Quick Tag browser hijacker asking for various permissions:

Quick Tag browser hijacker asking for permissions

Websites promoting Quick Tag browser hijacker:

Website used to promote Quick Tag browser hijacker 1 Website used to promote Quick Tag browser hijacker 2

Appearance of quicknewtab.com redirecting (via my-search.com and trafficjunction.com) to the Bing search engine (GIF):

Quick Tag browser hijacker redirecting to Bing (GIF)

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:

Quick Tag 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.

quicknewtab.com browser hijacker uninstall via Control Panel

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

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the quicknewtab.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Quick Tag browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove Quick Tag browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removing quicknewtab.com 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 "Quick Tag" and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.

Change your homepage:

Removing quicknewtab.com 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, disable "Quick Tag", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.quicknewtab.com) below the “Open a specific or set of pages” option. If present click on the three vertical dots icon and select “Remove”.

Change your default search engine:

Removing quicknewtab.com 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 "quicknewtab.com", 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 quicknewtab.com redirect, 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 plugins from Mozilla Firefox:

Removing quicknewtab.com related Mozilla Firefox extensions

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

Change your homepage:

Removing quicknewtab.com 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 disable "Quick Tag", remove hxxp://quicknewtab.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your default search engine:

Removing quicknewtab.com 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: "extensionControlled"
Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the Mozilla Firefox switch about:config entry button button.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with quicknewtab.com redirect 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 quicknewtab.com redirect, 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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If you have additional information on quicknewtab.com redirect or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users to visit quicknewtab.com website?

Cyber criminals (i.e., browser hijacker and fake search engine developers) profit through such redirects.

Is visiting quicknewtab.com a threat to my privacy?

To a certain extent, yes. Websites like quicknewtab.com typically gather (and sell) information about their visitors.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are proliferated/promoted via misleading and deceptive websites, unofficial and freeware download sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, spam browser notifications, intrusive adverts, bundled software, fake updates, online scams, and other dubious sources.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Quick Tag browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate installed browser-hijacking apps. It is worth mentioning that manual removal (i.e., without the aid of security software) can be ineffective with multiple browser hijackers present. In some cases, this software can re-install one another when a browser hijacker is uninstalled. Furthermore, this software may restrict access to browser settings or undo user-made changes. Therefore, browser hijackers must be eliminated thoroughly and all at once.

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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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Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

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

QR Code
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