How to eliminate Coffee Ext browser hijacker and the redirects it generates

What kind of software is Coffee Ext?

Our researchers discovered the Coffee Ext browser extension during a routine investigation of dubious websites. It is promoted as a tool that provides easy access to coffee recipes.

After examining this extension, we learned that it is browser-hijacking software. Coffee Ext operates by modifying browser settings to generate redirects. Additionally, it spies on users' browsing activity.

Coffee Ext browser hijacker overview

Browser hijackers reassign browsers' homepages, default search engines, and new browser tab/window URLs to the addresses of endorsed websites. Therefore, whenever a new browser tab/window is opened or a search query is entered into the URL bar – it results in a redirect to the promoted site.

In most cases, software within this classification endorses fake search engines. These websites cannot generate search results, so they redirect to genuine search engines.

However, Coffee Ext directly promotes the Bing search engine (bing.com) without a rogue page as an intermediary. Keep in mind that this extension could cause redirects that land elsewhere, as it might be impacted by factors like user geolocation.

It is pertinent to mention that browser-hijacking software commonly utilizes persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent users from restoring their browsers.

Coffee Ext has data-tracking abilities. Targeted information may include: visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so on. The gathered information can then be monetized via sale to third-parties.

To summarize, the presence of software like Coffee Ext on devices may result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Coffee Ext
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Coffee Ext
Supposed Functionality	Quick access to coffee recipes
Promoted URL	bing.com
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; XI New Tab, MediaScape - New Tab, New Tab Nature – are merely a couple of examples. Browser-hijacking software usually appears legitimate and offers a broad range of useful/advantageous functionalities. However, these functions seldom work as advertised, and in most cases – they do not work at all.

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

How did Coffee Ext install on my computer?

We obtained Coffee Ext from its "official" promotional webpage. Aside from seemingly legitimate download pages, browser hijackers are commonly pushed through scam sites. Users mainly access these webpages via redirects generated by websites utilizing rogue advertising networks, misspelled URLs, intrusive ads, spam browser notifications, or installed adware.

Browser-hijacking software can also be bundled with regular programs. The risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and third-party sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and by treating installation processes with negligence (e.g., ignoring terms, using "Easy/Express" settings, etc.).

Browser hijackers are proliferated by intrusive advertisements as well. When clicked on, some of these 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 only from official/trustworthy sources. Additionally, installation processes must be approached with caution, e.g., by reading terms, inspecting available options, using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opting out of all supplementary apps, extensions, features, etc.

We advise being careful while browsing since fraudulent and malicious online content typically appears legitimate and harmless. For example, intrusive ads may look ordinary/innocuous – however, they redirect to unreliable and questionable websites (e.g., scam-promoting, adult dating, pornography, gambling, etc.).

If you keep experiencing such advertisements and/or redirects, check the system and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Coffee Ext, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Permissions asked by Coffee Ext browser hijacker:

Website promoting Coffee Ext browser hijacker:

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

Coffee Ext 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.

Coffee Ext 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 "Coffee Ext" 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 "Coffee Ext", look for the promoted URL (hxxp://www.bing.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 "bing.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 coffee ext 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 "Coffee Ext", 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 "Coffee Ext", remove hxxp://bing.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 coffee ext 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 coffee ext 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 bing.com website?

Through these redirects – cyber criminals (e.g., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers, etc.) generate revenue. In some cases, redirects to legitimate websites are due to criminals seeking to acquire fraudulent commissions for the promotion (i.e., redirects).

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

The most commonly used proliferation methods include deceptive promotional pages, freeware and free file-hosting sites, bundled installation setups, online scams, P2P sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive adverts.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Coffee Ext browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan systems and eliminate all the browser-hijacking apps present. Note that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might not be a perfect solution, particularly when multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system. In these cases, after one is removed – the others may reinstall it. What is more, removal-related settings might be inaccessible with browser-hijacking software installed. Hence, it is paramount to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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