How to remove XI New Tab browser hijacker and the redirects it generates

What kind of software is XI New Tab?

XI New Tab is a rogue extension promising to display browser wallpapers. Our research team discovered it while investigating untrustworthy websites.

After analyzing XI New Tab, we learned that it makes modifications to browser settings in order to promote (through redirects) the xitabs.com fake search engine. Due to this behavior, this extension is classed as browser-hijacking software.

XI New Tab browser hijacker overview

Browser hijackers reassign browsers' default search engines, homepages, and new browser tab/window URLs to the addresses of promoted websites.

XI New Tab alters browser settings in this manner as well. Therefore, with this extension installed: Web searches performed via the URL bar and new browser tabs/windows opened – result in redirects to the xitabs.com site.

Illegitimate search engines are rarely capable of providing search results, so they redirect to genuine Internet search websites. At the time of research, xitabs.com landed on the Bing search engine (bing.com). Keep in mind that this site could lead elsewhere since factors like user geolocation can impact redirects.

Browser-hijacking software often employs persistence-ensuring techniques to complicate its removal and prevent users from recovering their browsers.

Furthermore, this software usually has data-tracking abilities, and this might be true of XI New Tab. Targeted information can include: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, Internet cookies, log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so on. The gathered information can then be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.

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

Threat Summary:

Name	XI New Tab
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	XI New Tab
Supposed Functionality	Browser wallpapers
Promoted URL	xitabs.com
Detection Names (xitabs.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (xitabs.com)	104.21.6.215
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

Browser hijackers usually appear legitimate and offer a wide variety of handy features. However, these functionalities seldom work as promised, and in most cases – they do not work at all.

MediaScape - New Tab, New Tab Nature, Joyful Quotes, MySites, and The Big 5 are just some examples of browser hijackers that we have examined recently.

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

How did XI New Tab install on my computer?

We obtained XI New Tab from its "official" download webpage. In addition to such legitimate-looking promotional pages, browser hijackers are commonly pushed through scam sites.

Users primarily access these webpages via redirects generated by misspelled URLs, websites using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware.

"Bundling" – packing regular program installers with unwanted/malicious supplements – is also used to proliferate browser-hijacking software.

The risk of allowing bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from dubious sources (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and by rushing through installation processes (e.g., ignoring terms, using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.).

Additionally, browser hijackers are proliferated by intrusive adverts. When clicked on, some of the advertisements can execute scripts to perform stealthy downloads/installations.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We highly recommend researching software and downloading it only from official/verified channels. Installation processes must be treated with care. Therefore, we advise reading terms, exploring available options, using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opting out of all additional apps, extensions, features, etc.

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

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

Permissions asked by XI New Tab browser hijacker:

Website promoting XI New Tab browser hijacker:

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

XI 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.

XI New Tab browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove XI New Tab browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:

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

Cyber criminals (i.e., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers) profit through redirects to sites like xitabs.com.

Is visiting xitabs.com a threat to my privacy?

Most likely, yes. Websites like xitabs.com typically collect (and sell) visitor data.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are most widely distributed via deceptive promotional webpages, bundled installers, online scams, freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive adverts.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove XI New Tab browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan devices and eliminate installed browser-hijacking apps. It is noteworthy that manual removal (unaided by security tools) might not be a perfect solution. In cases where multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system: after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. Additionally, browser-hijacking software might be capable of denying access to removal-related settings and/or undoing user-made changes. Therefore, it is crucial to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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