Removing Virtual Piano New Tab browser hijacker and the redirects it causes

What kind of software is Virtual Piano New Tab?

Virtual Piano New Tab is a rogue browser extension. It is promoted as a virtual piano widget for browsers. After analyzing this piece of software, we determined that it is a browser hijacker. This extension makes changes to browser settings in order to endorse (via redirects) the find.vnav-web.com fake search engine.

Virtual Piano New Tab browser hijacker overview

Browser-hijacking software modifies browsers by assigning promoted website addresses as their default search engines, homepages, and new tab/window URLs.

Virtual Piano New Tab operates 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 find.vnav-web.com site.

Illegitimate search engines usually cannot provide search results, so they redirect to genuine Internet search websites. Find.vnav-web.com redirects to the Google search engine (google.com). However, it might land elsewhere since factors like user geolocation may impact redirects.

In many cases, browser hijackers implement persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent browser recovery.

Furthermore, Virtual Piano New Tab likely has data-tracking functionalities. Information of interest may include: visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, usernames/passwords, Internet cookies, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so forth. The gathered information can then be shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

To summarize, the presence of software like Virtual Piano New Tab on devices can lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Virtual Piano New Tab
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Virtual Piano New Tab
Supposed Functionality	Virtual piano widget for browsers
Promoted URL	find.vnav-web.com
Detection Names (find.vnav-web.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (find.vnav-web.com)	108.156.91.15
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; Rocket App, The Beach Tab, and Smiley Pop Search are merely a couple of examples.

Browser-hijacking software usually appears legitimate and harmless. Users are lured into download/installation with promises of various "handy" functionalities, which are rarely operational. In fact, even if a piece of software operates as advertised – that is not definitive proof of either legitimacy or safety.

How did Virtual Piano New Tab install on my computer?

Browser hijackers can 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 free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and by treating installation with negligence (e.g., ignoring terms, using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.).

Browser-hijacking software can also have "official" promotional webpages, and it is endorsed on deceptive/scam sites. Most visitors access these pages via redirects generated by websites using rogue advertising networks, misspelled URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware.

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?

We strongly recommend researching software and downloading it only from official/verified sources. When installing, it is crucial to read terms, explore possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of all supplements (e.g., apps, extensions, features, etc.).

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

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

Permissions asked by Virtual Piano New Tab browser hijacker:

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

Virtual Piano 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.

Virtual Piano 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 "Virtual Piano 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 "Virtual Piano New Tab", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.find.vnav-web.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 "find.vnav-web.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 find.vnav-web.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 "Virtual Piano 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 "Virtual Piano New Tab", remove hxxp://find.vnav-web.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 find.vnav-web.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 find.vnav-web.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 find.vnav-web.com website?

Cyber criminals (i.e., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers) generate revenue through redirects to sites like find.vnav-web.com.

Is visiting find.vnav-web.com a threat to my privacy?

Most likely, yes. Websites classified as fake search engines (e.g., find.vnav-web.com, etc.) typically collect information about their visitors with the goal of selling it to third-parties.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are primarily distributed via bundled installers, deceptive promotional webpages, online scams, freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Virtual Piano New Tab browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan systems and eliminate installed browser-hijacking applications. It is noteworthy that manual removal (performed without security software) might be ineffective. In cases where multiple browser hijackers are present, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. Furthermore, removal-related settings might be inaccessible with browser-hijacking software installed. Therefore, browser hijackers must be eliminated thoroughly and all at once.

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