Removal instructions for the Nature-Newtab browser hijacker

What kind of software is Nature-Newtab?

Nature-Newtab is a rogue browser extension that our research team found while investigating suspect sites. It operates by making changes to browser settings in order to promote (through redirects) the api.nature-newtab.com illegitimate search engine. Due to this behavior, Nature-Newtab is categorized as a browser hijacker.

Nature-Newtab browser hijacker overview

On our test machine, Nature-Newtab reassigned the browser's default search engine, homepage, and new tab/window URL to the api.nature-newtab.com website. Hence, when we opened a new browser tab/window or entered a search query into the URL bar – it resulted in redirects to api.nature-newtab.com.

It is noteworthy that browser-hijacking software often ensures persistence by preventing access to removal-related settings and/or by undoing user-made changes.

Fake search engines like api.nature-newtab.com cannot generate search results, so they redirect to legitimate Internet search websites. At the time of research, api.nature-newtab.com landed on Bing (bing.com). Keep in mind that it could lead elsewhere since factors like user geolocation may impact redirects.

Furthermore, Nature-Newtab has some manner of data-tracking abilities. Browser hijackers typically collect the following information: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, most frequently visited website lists, IP addresses (geolocations), Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, etc. The gathered information can then be monetized via sale to third-parties.

In summary, the presence of browser-hijacking software like Nature-Newtab on devices can result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Nature-Newtab
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Nature-Newtab
Promoted URL	api.nature-newtab.com
Detection Names (api.nature-newtab.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (api.nature-newtab.com)	104.21.30.248
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

Personalized Background, Post and Search, Shapes Tab, and Car Tab are merely some examples of browser hijackers that we have analyzed recently. Software within this classification usually appears legitimate and offers various handy functionalities. In most cases, the promised features serve the purpose of bait to trick users into download/installation, as they are nonoperational.

It must be stressed that even if a browser extension or application works as advertised – that is not definitive proof of either legitimacy or safety.

How did Nature-Newtab install on my computer?

We acquired Nature-Newtab from its "official" download webpage. In addition to various deceptive promotional pages, browser hijackers are pushed through scam websites. Users typically enter these pages via redirects caused by sites that use rogue advertising networks, misspelled URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware.

Browser-hijacking software can also be bundled with regular programs. The risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the device is increased by downloading from untrustworthy channels (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and by rushing through installation processes (e.g., using "Easy/Express" settings, etc.).

Intrusive advertisements are used to spread browser hijackers as well. When clicked on, some of the adverts can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We highly recommend researching software and downloading it from official/verified sources. Furthermore, installation must be treated with care. Therefore, we advise reading terms, studying available options, and using the "Custom/Advanced" settings to opt out of all additions (e.g., apps, extensions, features, etc.).

Another recommendation is to be vigilant while browsing since fake and dangerous online content usually appears legitimate and harmless. For example, while intrusive ads may look innocuous – they redirect to unreliable/questionable websites (e.g., gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc.).

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

Permissions asked by Nature-Newtab browser hijacker:

Websites promoting Nature-Newtab browser hijacker:

Appearance of api.nature-newtab.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 Nature-Newtab?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Nature-Newtab browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove api.nature-newtab.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove api.nature-newtab.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Nature-Newtab 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.

Nature-Newtab 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 "Nature-Newtab" 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 "Nature-Newtab", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.api.nature-newtab.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 "api.nature-newtab.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 api.nature-newtab.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 "Nature-Newtab", 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 "Nature-Newtab", remove hxxp://api.nature-newtab.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 api.nature-newtab.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 api.nature-newtab.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 api.nature-newtab.com website?

Cyber criminals, such as developers of browser hijackers and fake search engines, generate revenue through redirects to websites like api.nature-newtab.com.

Is visiting api.nature-newtab.com a threat to my privacy?

To a certain extent, yes. Sites like api.nature-newtab.com tend to collect visitor data.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

The most commonly used distribution techniques include: deceptive promotional pages, bundled installation setups, online scams, freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive ads.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Nature-Newtab browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner is capable of scanning systems and eliminating detected browser-hijacking applications. Note that manual removal (unaided by security software) might be ineffective, especially when multiple browser hijackers are present. In these instances, after one is removed – the others may reinstall it. What is more, browser-hijacking software might render removal-related settings inaccessible. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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