Removal instructions for the AwesomeNewTab browser hijacker

What kind of software is AwesomeNewTab?

Our research team discovered the AwesomeNewTab browser extension while investigating deceptive websites. This extension is promoted as a tool that allows easy access to specific sites.

After examining AwesomeNewTab we determined that it is a browser hijacker. It modifies browser settings to generate redirects and spies on users' browsing activity.

AwesomeNewTab browser hijacker overview

Browser-hijacking software assigns promoted websites as browsers' default search engines, homepages, and new browser tab/window URLs. Therefore, whenever a new browser tab/window is opened or a search query is typed into the URL bar – it results in redirects to the endorsed webpage.

Typically, browser hijackers push fake search engines that cannot provide search results and land on legitimate Internet search websites. However, AwesomeNewTab promotes the genuine Bing search engine (bing.com) without an intermediary. Keep in mind that this browser extension might lead elsewhere since factors like user geolocation can impact redirects.

It is pertinent to mention that browser-hijacking software commonly utilizes persistence-ensuring techniques, such as preventing access to certain settings or undoing user-made changes – to complicate its removal.

Furthermore, AwesomeNewTab collects entered search queries. However, it might target other data as well. Information of interest may include: visited URLs, viewed webpages, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so on. The gathered data can then be shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

To summarize, the presence of software like AwesomeNewTab on devices may lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	AwesomeNewTab
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	AwesomeNewTab
Supposed Functionality	Easy access to specific sites
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 analyzed thousands of browser hijackers; Brick PDF, Currency Conversion Extension, Dark Mode Ext, and Quick World Clock are merely some examples. Browser-hijacking software usually appears legitimate and offers useful functionalities. However, these features rarely work as promised, 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 proof of either legitimacy or safety.

How did AwesomeNewTab install on my computer?

We obtained AwesomeNewTab from its "official" promotional webpage. In addition to such sites, browser-hijacking software is endorsed on deceptive/scam pages. Most visitors access them via redirects caused by mistyped URLs, spam browser notifications, websites using rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads, or installed adware.

Browser hijackers can also be bundled (packed together) with ordinary programs. The risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from untrustworthy sources (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushing through installation processes (e.g., ignoring terms, using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.).

Intrusive advertisements spread browser hijackers as well. When clicked on, some of the adverts can execute scripts to perform stealthy downloads/installations.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

It is important to research software before downloading or installing it. Furthermore, all downloads must be performed from official and verified channels. When installing, we advise reading terms, studying possible options, using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opting out of all additions (e.g., apps, extensions, tools, etc.).

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

If you keep encountering adverts and/or redirects of this kind, inspect the device and immediately remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with AwesomeNewTab, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Permissions asked by AwesomeNewTab browser hijacker:

Websites promoting AwesomeNewTab browser hijacker:

Appearance of AwesomeNewTab 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 AwesomeNewTab?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove AwesomeNewTab 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.

AwesomeNewTab 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.

AwesomeNewTab 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 "AwesomeNewTab" 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 "AwesomeNewTab", 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 awesomenewtab 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 "AwesomeNewTab", 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 "AwesomeNewTab", 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 awesomenewtab 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 awesomenewtab 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?

Revenue is generated through redirects. In some cases, cyber criminals (e.g., developers of browser hijackers, etc.) profit by abusing the affiliate programs of genuine websites, i.e., they earn illegitimate commissions for the promotion (redirects).

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

The most widely used distribution methods include: online scams, deceptive promotional pages, bundled installation setups, freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove AwesomeNewTab browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate detected browser-hijacking apps. It is noteworthy that manual removal (unaided by security tools) might not be ideal. In cases where multiple browser hijackers are present, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. Furthermore, browser-hijacking software might deny access to removal-related settings. Therefore, it is crucial to remove browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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