Remove FreshTab New Tab Malware

Can’t Remove FreshTab New Tab hijacker virus? This page includes detailed FreshTab New Tab Removal instructions!

The FreshTab New Tab browser extension is not a program you should keep on your computer. Security experts have classified it as a browser hijacker. Once installed, the parasite takes control of your favorite browser. The pest injects various adverts on every web page you visit. You must have noticed that websites that used to be ad-free are now covered in numerous advertisements. Thank the hijacker for that. The parasite is not modest when it comes to ads. It bombards its victims with tons of advertisements. It can also redirect your web traffic to sponsored websites. And on top of that, the pest can pause your online videos for commercial breaks. Every time you as much as touch your browser, numerous pop-ups cover your screen. Ad-blocking tools are useless against the intruder. There is nothing you can do you to stop the ad invasion. Or is there? Of course, there is! The FreshTab New Tab hijacker is not an ingenious virus but a malicious application. It can be removed if you know where to look. We can help you. Take a looks at our detailed manual removal guide below this article. If you are not confident in your computer skills, you can always download an anti-malware app. You have options! Choose your removal method and act! Delete the FreshTab New Tab hijacker for good!

How did I get infected with?

No, your browser did not install the FreshTab extension by itself. It was you the one who allowed the app on board. Unfortunately, this is not a bad joke, but the reality. The FreshTab New Tab hijacker needs the user’s (your) approval to get installed. What it doesn’t need is to ask openly. The parasite uses camouflage and steals your approval. It usually hitches a ride with other software. The so-called software bundles are the number one cause of malware infections. Of course, you can prevent this technique from succeeding. When you start the installation of a program, familiarize yourself with the Setup Wizard. Take your time. Opt for red flags. If you are offered an Advanced installation option, by all means, select it. Under the Advanced installation, you will be presented with a list of all changes that are about to be made. If there are additional programs that are about to be installed, they will be listed. Deselect all unwanted software. Bear in mind that these third-party apps, more often than not, are malicious. Make sure you know what you are giving your approval to. Read the Terms and Conditions/End User License Agreement (EULA). If you spot anything out of the ordinary, abort the installation. When it comes to cyber infections, one can never be too careful. Numerous deadly viruses are using the same technique to reach their victims. Install trustworthy programs only!

Why is this dangerous?

The FreshTab New Tab hijacker is a pain in the neck that is hard to be tolerated. It enters your computer in complete silence and in no time wreaks total havoc. The parasite ruins your browsing experience with numerous adverts. Yet, the aggressive marketing has a darker side. Every advert provided by the hijacker is a potential threat. The parasite has no verifying mechanism. Anyone willing to pay can use it to promote. All sorts of crooks take advantage. They use the hijacker to spread deceptive and, oftentimes, corrupted adverts. One click on the wrong adverts is all it takes for a virus to be downloaded. If you dodge this bullet, though, be on your guard. More are flying your way. An unverified advertisement may also redirect you to scam websites. All sorts of online frauds are promoted via hijackers. If an offer looks too good to be true, it probably isn’t. With the FreshTab New Tab hijacker on board, you are more likely to be redirected to bogus websites than to legitimate ones. This furtive parasite is a breach of your security. Your best course of action is its immediate removal. Do not waste your time. Find the hijacker hiding place and delete the intruder on the spot!

How to Remove FreshTab New Tab virus

The FreshTab New Tab infection is specifically designed to make money to its creators one way or another. The specialists from various antivirus companies like Bitdefender, Kaspersky, Norton, Avast, ESET, etc. advise that there is no harmless virus.

If you perform exactly the steps below you should be able to remove the FreshTab New Tab infection. Please, follow the procedures in the exact order. Please, consider to print this guide or have another computer at your disposal. You will NOT need any USB sticks or CDs.

STEP 1: Track down FreshTab New Tab related processes in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate FreshTab New Tab startup location

STEP 3: Delete FreshTab New Tab traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

STEP 1: Track down FreshTab New Tab related processes in the computer memory

• Open your Task Manager by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ESC keys simultaneously
• Carefully review all processes and stop the suspicious ones.

• Write down the file location for later reference.

Step 2: Locate FreshTab New Tab startup location

Reveal Hidden Files

• Open any folder
• Click on “Organize” button
  
• Choose “Folder and Search Options”
• Select the “View” tab
• Select “Show hidden files and folders” option
• Uncheck “Hide protected operating system files”
• Click “Apply” and “OK” button

Clean FreshTab New Tab virus from the windows registry

• Once the operating system loads press simultaneously the Windows Logo Button and the R key.

• A dialog box should open. Type “Regedit”

• WARNING! be very careful when editing the Microsoft Windows Registry as this may render the system broken.

Depending on your OS (x86 or x64) navigate to:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]

• and delete the display Name: [RANDOM]

• Then open your explorer and navigate to: %appdata% folder and delete the malicious executable.

Clean your HOSTS file to avoid unwanted browser redirection

Navigate to %windir%/system32/Drivers/etc/host

If you are hacked, there will be foreign IPs addresses connected to you at the bottom. Take a look below:

STEP 3 : Clean FreshTab New Tab traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

• Open Google Chrome

• In the Main Menu, select Tools then Extensions
• Remove the FreshTab New Tab by clicking on the little recycle bin
• Reset Google Chrome by Deleting the current user to make sure nothing is left behind

• Open Mozilla Firefox

• Press simultaneously Ctrl+Shift+A
• Disable the unwanted Extension
• Go to Help
• Then Troubleshoot information
• Click on Reset Firefox

• Open Internet Explorer

• On the Upper Right Corner Click on the Gear Icon
• Click on Internet options
• go to Toolbars and Extensions and disable the unknown extensions
• Select the Advanced tab and click on Reset

• Restart Internet Explorer

Step 4: Undo the damage done by FreshTab New Tab

This particular Virus may alter your DNS settings.

Attention! this can break your internet connection. Before you change your DNS settings to use Google Public DNS for FreshTab New Tab, be sure to write down the current server addresses on a piece of paper.

To fix the damage done by the virus you need to do the following.

• Click the Windows Start button to open the Start Menu, type control panel in the search box and select Control Panel in the results displayed above.
• go to Network and Internet
• then Network and Sharing Center
• then Change Adapter Settings
• Right-click on your active internet connection and click properties. Under the Networking tab, find Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). Left click on it and then click on properties. Both options should be automatic! By default it should be set to “Obtain an IP address automatically” and the second one to “Obtain DNS server address automatically!” If they are not just change them, however if you are part of a domain network you should contact your Domain Administrator to set these settings, otherwise the internet connection will break!!!

You must clean all your browser shortcuts as well. To do that you need to

• Right click on the shortcut of your favorite browser and then select properties.

• in the target field remove FreshTab New Tab argument and then apply the changes.
• Repeat that with the shortcuts of your other browsers.
• Check your scheduled tasks to make sure the virus will not download itself again.

How to Permanently Remove FreshTab New Tab Virus (automatic) Removal Guide

Please, have in mind that once you are infected with a single virus, it compromises your whole system or network and let all doors wide open for many other infections. To make sure manual removal is successful, we recommend to use a free scanner of any professional antimalware program to identify possible registry leftovers or temporary files.