Removal instructions for the My Notes Extension browser hijacker

What is the "My Notes Extension"?

Our researchers discovered the My Notes Extension while investigating suspicious websites. This browser extension is endorsed as an organization tool with a notepad widget.

On our test machine, My Notes Extension modified browser settings in order to promote (via redirects) the notepadextension.com fake search engine. Due to this behavior, My Notes Extension is classed as a browser hijacker.

My Notes Extension browser hijacker overview

Browser hijackers reassign browsers' homepages, default search engines, and new browser tab/window URLs to the addresses of promoted sites. My Notes Extension makes these changes as well, and with it installed: new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries typed into the URL bar – result in redirects to notepadextension.com.

It is pertinent to mention that browser-hijacking software often uses persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent browser recovery.

Illegitimate search engines are rarely able to generate search results, so they redirect to genuine Internet search sites. Notepadextension.com is not an exception, and it redirects to the Bing search engine (bing.com). Note that it might land elsewhere since redirects can depend on factors like user geolocation.

Furthermore, My Notes Extension 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 sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.

To summarize, the presence of software like My Notes Extension on devices can result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	My Notes Extension
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	My Notes Extension
Supposed Functionality	Notepad and organization tool
Promoted URL	notepadextension.com
Detection Names (notepadextension.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (notepadextension.com)	104.21.36.212
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. ▼ 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.

Browser hijacker examples

JoyTab - Your News Tab, Nature Extension, and Architecture Tab are merely a few examples of browser hijackers that we have analyzed recently.

Browser-hijacking software usually appears legitimate and offers various features. However, their functionalities are seldom more than just bait to trick users into download/installation. It must be stressed that even if a browser extension or an application operates as advertised – that is not definitive proof of either legitimacy or safety.

How did My Notes Extension install on my computer?

We obtained My Notes Extension from a deceptive webpage. In addition to various scam sites, browser hijackers can be promoted on their "official" download pages. Most users access such webpages via redirects caused by mistyped URLs, websites using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware.

Browser-hijacking software can also be bundled with regular programs. Downloading from untrustworthy sources (e.g., freeware and third-party websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and rushing through installation processes (e.g., using "Quick/Easy" settings, etc.) – increase the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the system.

Additionally, browser hijackers are proliferated by intrusive advertisements. Once clicked on, some of the adverts can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user permission.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We recommend researching software and downloading it only from official/verified channels. When installing, it is essential to read terms, inspect possible options, use the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opt out of all supplementary apps, extensions, features, tools, etc.

We also advise caution while browsing since fraudulent and malicious online content usually appears legitimate. For example, while intrusive ads may look ordinary/harmless – they redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.).

In case of continuous encounters with advertisements and/or redirects of this kind, check the device and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with My Notes Extension, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Permissions asked by My Notes Extension browser hijacker:

Deceptive website promoting My Notes Extension browser hijacker:

Appearance of notepadextension.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:
▼ 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 My Notes Extension?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove My Notes Extension browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove notepadextension.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove notepadextension.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

My Notes Extension 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.

My Notes Extension 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 "My Notes Extension" 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 "My Notes Extension", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.notepadextension.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 "notepadextension.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 notepadextension.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 "My Notes Extension", 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 "My Notes Extension", remove hxxp://notepadextension.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 notepadextension.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 notepadextension.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.

Post a comment:
If you have additional information on notepadextension.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 notepadextension.com website?

Redirects to websites like notepadextension.com are generated because cyber criminals (i.e., developers of browser hijackers and fake search engines) profit through them.

Is visiting notepadextension.com a threat to my privacy?

To a certain extent, yes. Sites like notepadextension.com tend to collect (and sell) data concerning their visitors.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

The most commonly used distribution methods include: bundled installers, deceptive promotional webpages, online scams, freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove My Notes Extension browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan systems and eliminate installed browser-hijacking apps. It must be mentioned that manual removal (unaided by security software) might not be a perfect solution. In cases where multiple browser hijackers are present, after one is removed – the others may reinstall it. Furthermore, removal-related settings might be inaccessible with browser-hijacking software present. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

▼ Show Discussion