Removal instructions for Namaste Tab browser hijacker

What kind of software is Namaste Tab?

Namaste Tab is a browser extension that we discovered while reviewing dubious websites. Our analysis revealed that this extension is browser-hijacking software. It modifies browser settings in order to promote (via redirects) the privatesearchqry.com illegitimate search engine.

Namaste Tab browser hijacker overview

Browser hijackers reassign browsers' default search engines, homepages, and new browser tab/window URLs to the addresses of endorsed websites. Due to these modifications, new browser tabs/windows opened and Web searches performed through the URL bar – result in redirects to the promoted site.

Namaste Tab makes these alterations to browsers as well; hence, the aforementioned actions lead users to the privatesearchqry.com webpage.

Fake search engines typically cannot generate search results, so they redirect to legitimate ones. Privatesearchqry.com is not an exception to this; it lands on Bing (bing.com). It must be mentioned that this website could lead elsewhere, as factors like user geolocation might dictate redirects.

In many cases, browser hijackers implement persistence-ensuring techniques to complicate removal and prevent users from recovering their browsers.

Namaste Tab might also have data-tracking functionalities. Targeted information may include: visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, Internet cookies, log-in credentials, finance-related data, etc. The gathered information can then be monetized via sale to third-parties.

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

Threat Summary:

Name	Namaste Tab
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Namaste Tab
Promoted URL	privatesearchqry.com
Detection Names (privatesearchqry.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (privatesearchqry.com)	216.239.34.21
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

BudgetBuddy, NXD Fix, News Directory, and Virtual Piano New Tab are just some examples of browser hijackers. Browser-hijacking software usually appears legitimate and innocuous. However, the promised features are typically fake and nonoperational; they are bait that tricks users into downloading/installing this software.

It must be stressed that even if a piece of software works as advertised – that is not definitive proof of either legitimacy or safety.

How did Namaste Tab install on my computer?

We obtained Namaste Tab from its "official" promotional page. In addition to such sites, browser-hijacking software is promoted on deceptive/scam webpages. Most visitors access them via redirects caused by websites that use rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware.

The "bundling" marketing tactic – packing ordinary program installation setups with unwanted/malicious additions – is also used to proliferate browser hijackers.

Download from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations (e.g., skipped steps, used "Easy/Express" settings, etc.) – increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.

Browser hijackers are spread by intrusive adverts as well. Some of these advertisements can execute scripts to perform stealthy downloads/installations upon being clicked.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

It is crucial to research software before downloading or purchasing it. Furthermore, all downloads must be performed from official and trustworthy sources. When installing, we recommend reading terms, studying available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all additional apps, extensions, tools, features, etc.

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

If you continuously encounter ads 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 Namaste Tab, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Permissions asked by Namaste Tab browser hijacker:

Website promoting Namaste Tab browser hijacker:

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

Namaste 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.

Namaste Tab browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove Namaste 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 "Namaste 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 "Namaste Tab", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.privatesearchqry.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 "privatesearchqry.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 privatesearchqry.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 "Namaste 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 "Namaste Tab", remove hxxp://privatesearchqry.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 privatesearchqry.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 privatesearchqry.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 privatesearchqry.com website?

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

Is visiting privatesearchqry.com a threat to my privacy?

Most likely, yes. Websites classed as fake search engines (e.g., privatesearchqry.com, etc.) usually collect and sell visitor data.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

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

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Namaste Tab browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your device and eliminate installed browser-hijacking applications. It must be mentioned that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might not be a perfect solution. When multiple browser hijackers are present, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. What is more, browser-hijacking software might be capable of blocking access to removal-related settings and/or undoing user-made changes. Therefore, it is paramount to remove browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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