Removing the "Amazon Rain Forest - New Tab Search" browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is Amazon Rain Forest - New Tab Search?
Our research team found the Amazon Rain Forest - New Tab Search browser extension while investigating deceptive webpages. This extension is endorsed as a tool that displays browser wallpapers depicting the Amazon rainforest.
After analyzing this piece of software, we determined that it is a browser hijacker promoting (through redirects) the amazonforextnewtab.com fake search engine.
Amazon Rain Forest - New Tab Search browser hijacker overview
On our testing machine, Amazon Rain Forest - New Tab Search reassigned the browser's homepage, default search engine, and new browser tab/window URLs to the amazonforextnewtab.com website. Therefore, when we entered a search query into the URL bar or opened a new browser tab/window – it resulted in redirects to amazonforextnewtab.com.
It is pertinent to mention that browser-hijacking software often employs persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent users from recovering their browsers, and Amazon Rain Forest - New Tab Search is not an exception.
Illegitimate search engines usually cannot generate search results, so they redirect to genuine Internet search websites. At the time of research, amazonforextnewtab.com redirected to the Bing search engine (bing.com). Note that this site might land elsewhere since factors like user geolocation can influence redirects.
Furthermore, Amazon Rain Forest - New Tab Search spies on users' browsing activity. Information of interest may include: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, IP addresses, Internet cookies, account log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, etc. The gathered information can then be shared with or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
In summary, the presence of software like Amazon Rain Forest - New Tab Search on devices may result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Amazon Rain Forest - New Tab Search |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Amazon Rain Forest - New Tab Search |
| Supposed Functionality | Amazon rainforest themed browser wallpapers |
| Promoted URL | amazonforextnewtab.com |
| Detection Names (amazonforextnewtab.com) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (amazonforextnewtab.com) | 74.208.233.94 |
| 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). |
| 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. |
Browser hijacker examples
We have inspected thousands of browser hijackers; CyclinGuru, Drinking Well, Spice, and Plant Planet are just a few examples of our latest finds.
Browser-hijacking software usually appears legitimate and useful. However, its functionalities seldom work as advertised, and in most cases – they are utterly nonoperational. It must be stressed that even if a piece of software works as indicated by its promotional material – that is not a guarantee of either legitimacy or safety.
How did Amazon Rain Forest - New Tab Search install on my computer?
We acquired Amazon Rain Forest - New Tab Search from a deceptive software-promoting webpage. In addition to the endorsement on various misleading and scam-hosting sites, browser hijackers can have "official" promotional pages. Most visitors to such websites access them via redirects generated by webpages using rogue advertising networks, misspelled URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive adverts, or installed adware.
"Bundling" – packing regular program installation setups with unwanted/malicious supplements – is also used to distribute browser hijackers.
The risk of allowing bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from untrustworthy channels (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushing through installation processes (e.g., skipping steps and sections, using "Quick/Easy" settings, etc.).
Browser-hijacking software is spread by intrusive advertisements as well. Once clicked on, some of these ads can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
We strongly recommend researching software before downloading or purchasing it. Furthermore, all downloads must be performed from official and verified sources. When installing, it is essential to read terms, explore available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of all additional apps, extensions, tools, and so on.
Another recommendation is to be vigilant while browsing since fake and malicious content typically appears legitimate. For example, intrusive advertisements may look harmless yet redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc.).
In case of continuous encounters with ads/redirects of this kind, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Amazon Rain Forest - New Tab Search, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Permissions asked by Amazon Rain Forest - New Tab Search browser hijacker:
Deceptive website promoting Amazon Rain Forest - New Tab Search browser hijacker:
Appearance of amazonforextnewtab.com redirecting to the Bing search engine (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:
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Quick menu:
- What is Amazon Rain Forest - New Tab Search?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Amazon Rain Forest - New Tab Search browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove amazonforextnewtab.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove amazonforextnewtab.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Amazon Rain Forest - New Tab Search 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, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Amazon Rain Forest - New Tab Search browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
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 "Amazon Rain Forest - New Tab Search" and other recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "Amazon Rain Forest - New Tab Search", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.amazonforextnewtab.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:
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 "amazonforextnewtab.com", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the amazonforextnewtab.com redirect, 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 extensions from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate "Amazon Rain Forest - New Tab Search", as well as all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable "Amazon Rain Forest - New Tab Search", remove hxxp://amazonforextnewtab.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 "Accept the Risk and Continue".
In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled". Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the 
button.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with amazonforextnewtab.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, 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 amazonforextnewtab.com redirect, 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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users to visit amazonforextnewtab.com website?
Cyber criminals (e.g., developers of browser hijackers and fake search engines, etc.) profit through redirects to sites like amazonforextnewtab.com.
Is visiting amazonforextnewtab.com a threat to my privacy?
To a certain extent, yes. Websites like amazonforextnewtab.com tend to collect (and sell) information about their visitors.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are primarily proliferated through untrustworthy download channels (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.), online scams, bundled installers, spam browser notifications, and intrusive adverts.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Amazon Rain Forest - New Tab Search browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner is capable of scanning devices and eliminating detected browser-hijacking applications. Note that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might be ineffective. In cases where multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. Furthermore, removal-related settings might be unmodifiable with this software present. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.
Outstanding!
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