Removal instructions for the Forest New Tab browser hijacker

What kind of software is Forest New Tab?

Forest New Tab is an extension that promises to display forest-themed browser wallpapers. After inspecting this piece of software, we determined that it is a browser hijacker. Forest New Tab makes changes to browser settings in order to endorse (via redirects) the ysrc2u.com illegitimate search engine.

Forest New Tab browser hijacker overview

Browser hijackers reset browsers' homepages, default search engines, and new tab/window URLs to the addresses of promoted sites. Hence, with Forest New Tab installed: new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries entered into the URL bar – result in redirects to the ysrc2u.com webpage.

Fake search engines usually cannot provide search results, so they lead to legitimate Internet search websites. At the time of research, ysrc2u.com led to Bing (bing.com). However, this site could land elsewhere since factors like user geolocation may impact redirects.

In many cases, browser-hijacking software employs persistence-ensuring mechanisms to complicate its removal and prevent users from restoring their browsers.

What is more, software within this classification usually has data-tracking functionalities, and this might be true of Forest New Tab.

Targeted information may include: browsing and search engine histories, Internet cookies, account log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, etc. The collected information can then be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.

To summarize, the presence of software like Forest New Tab on devices may result in system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Forest New Tab
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Forest New Tab
Supposed Functionality	Forest-themed browser wallpapers
Promoted URL	ysrc2u.com
Detection Names (ysrc2u.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (ysrc2u.com)	18.154.101.47
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

Beautiful Beach Tab, Best Friend Backgrounds, PoConvert, Askusdaily, and Literature News on New Tab are merely some examples of browser hijackers we have investigated recently.

Software categorized as such appears legitimate and harmless. It also offers a broad range of "useful" and "advantageous" features. However, these functions seldom work as advertised, and in most cases – they do not work at all. It must be stressed that operational features are not a definitive indicator of a software's legitimacy or safety.

How did Forest New Tab install on my computer?

Browser hijackers can have "official" download webpages, and they are promoted on scam sites. Visitors to these pages primarily access them via redirects caused by websites using rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware.

"Bundling" – packing ordinary program installers with unwanted/malicious additions – is also used to proliferate browser hijackers.

Downloading from untrustworthy sources (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and treating installations with negligence (e.g., ignoring terms, using "Easy/Express" settings, etc.) – increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the device.

Additionally, browser-hijacking software is spread by intrusive adverts. Once clicked on, some of these advertisements can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user permission.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

It is essential to research software and download it only from official/verified channels. When installing, we recommend reading terms, exploring possible options, using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opting out of all additions (e.g., apps, extensions, features, etc.).

We also advise being vigilant while browsing since fraudulent and dangerous online content usually appears legitimate and innocuous. For example, intrusive ads may look harmless – yet redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., scam-promoting, pornography, gambling, adult dating, etc.).

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

Permissions asked by Forest New Tab browser hijacker:

Appearance of ysrc2u.com redirecting to the Bing search engine (GIF):

Website promoting Forest New Tab browser hijacker:

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 Forest New Tab?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Forest New Tab browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove ysrc2u.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove ysrc2u.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Forest 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.

Forest New Tab browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove Forest 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 "Forest 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 "Forest New Tab", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.ysrc2u.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 "ysrc2u.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 ysrc2u.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 "Forest 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 "Forest New Tab", remove hxxp://ysrc2u.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 ysrc2u.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 ysrc2u.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.

Post a comment:
If you have additional information on ysrc2u.com redirect or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users to visit ysrc2u.com website?

Redirects to websites like ysrc2u.com are caused because cyber criminals (i.e., developers of browser hijackers and fake search engines) profit through them.

Is visiting ysrc2u.com a threat to my privacy?

Most likely, yes. Sites like ysrc2u.com typically gather (and sell) information about their visitors.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

The most widely used distribution techniques include: deceptive promotional webpages, freeware and free file-hosting websites, bundled installation setups, online scams, P2P sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.

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

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan systems and eliminate detected browser-hijacking applications. Keep in mind that manual removal (performed without the aid of security software) might be ineffective, particularly when multiple browser hijackers are present. In these cases, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. Furthermore, browser-hijacking software might deny access to removal-related settings and/or undo user-made changes. Therefore, it is crucial to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

▼ Show Discussion