How to remove the Cars – New Tab browser hijacker

What kind of software is Cars – New Tab?

While investigating suspect websites, our research team found the Cars – New Tab browser extension. It is presented as a tool that displays automobile-themed browser wallpapers. After testing this extension, we determined that it is a browser hijacker. Cars – New Tab changes browser settings to promote the dbdextension.com fake search engine.

Cars – New Tab browser hijacker overview

Following installation onto our testing machine, Cars – New Tab reset the browser's default search engine, homepage, and new browser tab/window URL to the dbdextension.com website. Therefore, whenever we opened a new browser tab/window or entered a search query into the URL bar – it resulted in a redirect to dbdextension.com.

Like most browser hijackers, Cars – New Tab employs persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent users from recovering their browsers.

Fake search engines usually cannot provide search results, so they redirect to legitimate ones. At the time of research, dbdextension.com landed on various genuine search engines, such as Bing (bing.com) and Google (google.com). However, it might lead to a different site since factors like user geolocation can influence redirects.

Furthermore, Cars – New Tab spies on users' browsing activity. Data of interest may include: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, Internet cookies, account log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, finance-related information, and so on. This vulnerable data can then be monetized through sale to third-parties.

To summarize, the presence of browser-hijacking software like Cars – New Tab on devices may lead to system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Cars – New Tab
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Cars – New Tab
Supposed Functionality	Car-themed browser wallpapers
Promoted URL	dbdextension.com
Detection Names (dbdextension.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (dbdextension.com)	104.192.4.40
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

Best Wallpapers, My Notes Extension, Ultimate Basketball Fan Extension, and Nature Extension are just a few examples of browser hijackers that we have investigated recently.

Browser-hijacking software tends to appear legitimate and offer various features. However, the functionalities are rarely operational and merely serve the purpose of bait to trick users into download/installation. It must be stressed that even if a piece of software works as advertised – that is not definitive proof of either legitimacy or safety.

How did Cars – New Tab install on my computer?

We acquired Cars – New Tab from a deceptive webpage. Scam sites are commonly used to endorse browser hijackers; however, this software can also have "official" promotional pages. Both types of websites are primarily accessed via redirects caused by webpages that employ rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, mistyped URLs, intrusive ads, or installed adware.

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

Additionally, intrusive advertisements are used in browser hijacker proliferation. Once clicked on, some of these adverts can execute scripts to perform stealthy downloads/installations.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We strongly advise researching software and downloading it from official/verified channels. Furthermore, installation must be treated with caution. Therefore, we recommend reading terms, inspecting possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all supplements (e.g., apps, extensions, tools, etc.).

Another recommendation is to be careful while browsing since fake and malicious online content typically appears legitimate. For example, while intrusive ads may look harmless – they redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.).

Should you keep experiencing such adverts/redirects, inspect the system and immediately remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Cars – New Tab, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Permissions asked by Cars – New Tab browser hijacker:

Deceptive website promoting Cars – New Tab browser hijacker:

Appearance of dbdextension.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 Cars – New Tab?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Cars – New Tab browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove dbdextension.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove dbdextension.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Cars – New Tab 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.

Cars – New Tab 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 "Cars – New Tab" 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 "Cars – New Tab", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.dbdextension.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 "dbdextension.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 dbdextension.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 "Cars – New Tab", 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 "Cars – New Tab", remove hxxp://dbdextension.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 dbdextension.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 dbdextension.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 dbdextension.com website?

Cyber criminals (i.e., developers of browser hijackers and fake search engines) generate revenue through redirects to websites like dbdextension.com.

Is visiting dbdextension.com a threat to my privacy?

Most likely, yes. Sites like dbdextension.com tend to collect visitor data in order to sell it to third-parties.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are primarily distributed via bundled installation setups, deceptive promotional pages, freeware and free file-hosting websites, online scams, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive ads.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Cars – New Tab browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner is capable of scanning systems and eliminating detected browser-hijacking apps. Note that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might not be a perfect solution, especially when multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system. In these cases, after one is removed – the others may reinstall it. Additionally, removal-related settings might be unmodifiable with browser-hijacking software present. Hence, it is paramount to remove browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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