Removal instructions for the "MediaScape - New Tab" browser hijacker

What kind of software is MediaScape - New Tab?

Our research team found the MediaScape - New Tab browser extension while investigating dubious websites. This extension promises to display browser wallpapers.

After analyzing this piece of software, we determined that it is a browser hijacker. MediaScape - New Tab make the changes to browser settings in order to promote (through redirects) the tubeextension1.com fake search engine.

MediaScape - New Tab browser hijacker overview

On our test machine, MediaScape - New Tab assigned tubeextension1.com as the browser's default search engine, homepage, and new tab/window URL. Therefore, whenever we entered a search query into the URL bar or opened a new browser tab/window – it resulted in redirects to the tubeextension1.com site.

Fake search engines are rarely capable of providing search results, so they redirect to legitimate Internet search websites. Tubeextension1.com is not an exception; it redirects to the Google search engine (google.com). Keep in mind that this site could land elsewhere, as factors like user geolocation may impact redirects.

It is worth mentioning that browser-hijacking software might deny access to removal-related settings and/or undo user-made changes – thus complicating its removal.

MediaScape - New Tab spies on users' browsing activity. Browser hijackers usually target the following information: URLs visited, webpages viewed, search queries typed, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, finance-related data, and so. The collected information can then be monetized via sale to third-parties.

In summary, the presence of software like MediaScape - New Tab on devices may result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	MediaScape - New Tab
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	MediaScape - New Tab
Supposed Functionality	Browser wallpapers
Promoted URL	tubeextension1.com
Detection Names (tubeextension1.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (tubeextension1.com)	108.175.11.44
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

We have investigated numerous browser hijackers; New Tab Nature, Joyful Quotes, and The Big 5 are just a couple of examples. Browser-hijacking software appears legitimate and offers a broad range of useful/advantageous functionalities. However, these features seldom work as advertised, and in most cases – they do not work at all.

It must be stressed that even if a browser extension or an application operates as indicated by its promotional material – that is not definitive proof of either legitimacy or safety.

How did MediaScape - New Tab install on my computer?

We acquired MediaScape - New Tab from its "official" promotional page. In addition to such sites, browser hijackers are commonly endorsed on scam webpages. Most visitors to these sites access them via redirects generated by misspelled URLs, pages that use rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, intrusive adverts, or installed adware.

The bundling marketing technique – packing regular program installers with unwanted/malicious additions – is also used to distribute browser-hijacking software. Downloading from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and third-party websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushing through installation processes (e.g., skipping steps, using "Quick/Easy" settings, etc.) – increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.

Intrusive ads proliferate browser hijackers as well. Once clicked on, some of these advertisements can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

It is important to always research software prior to downloading or purchasing it. Furthermore, all downloads must be performed from official and trustworthy sources. When installing, we recommend reading terms, inspecting available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all supplements (e.g., apps, extensions, tools, etc.).

We also advise being careful while browsing since fraudulent and malicious online content typically appears legitimate and innocuous. For example, despite their ordinary/harmless appearance – intrusive adverts redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., scam-promoting, pornography, gambling, adult dating, etc.).

In case of continuous encounters with advertisements and/or 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 MediaScape - New Tab, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Permissions asked by MediaScape - New Tab browser hijacker:

Website promoting MediaScape - New Tab browser hijacker:

Appearance of tubeextension1.com redirecting to the Google 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 MediaScape - New Tab?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove MediaScape - New Tab browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove tubeextension1.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove tubeextension1.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

MediaScape - 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.

MediaScape - 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 "Extensions" and click "Manage Extensions". Locate "MediaScape - 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 "MediaScape - New Tab", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.tubeextension1.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 "tubeextension1.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 tubeextension1.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 "MediaScape - 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 "MediaScape - New Tab", remove hxxp://tubeextension1.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 tubeextension1.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 tubeextension1.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 tubeextension1.com website?

Redirects to sites like tubeextension1.com are generated because cyber criminals (i.e., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers) profit through them.

Is visiting tubeextension1.com a threat to my privacy?

Most likely, yes. Websites like tubeextension1.com tend to gather information about their visitors with the purpose of selling it to third-parties.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

The most commonly used distribution methods include: deceptive promotional webpages, bundled installation setups, 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 MediaScape - New Tab browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate all the browser-hijacking applications present. It is noteworthy that manual removal (unaided by security tools) might not be ideal, particularly when multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system. In these cases, after one is removed – the others may reinstall it. Furthermore, removal-related settings might be inaccessible with browser-hijacking software installed. Therefore, all browser hijackers must be eliminated thoroughly and all at once.

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