How to remove NewTab MediaSearch browser plugin?

NewTab MediaSearch – What is it?

“NewTab MediaSearch” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is promoted as a plugin for your web browser. It is usually shared as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that assists to browse some particular info, as an example, about sporting activity events, make your browser far more secure, allow downloading of any type of video, and so on.

Nevertheless, the “NewTab MediaSearch” plugin is pretty ineffective since all such functions are already embedded to your web browser and/or Windows. Such advertising and marketing slogans are targeted at low-skilled computer users, such as pensioners or schoolchildren. But sometimes even experienced users are getting caught on such an attraction. In specific scenarios, this hijacker is dispersed along with free apps.

NewTab MediaSearch Search Hijacker

How harmful is NewTab MediaSearch hijacker?

Besides its uselessness, NewTab MediaSearch hijacker is likewise fairly hazardous for browser use. It changes your search engine to its specific – Newtab-mediasearch.com, and likewise transforms your background, putting its watermark on your wallpaper (or, in some cases, altering it to default with the mentioned symbol).

In addition to visual changes done by NewTab MediaSearch hijacker, you may see that several of your search queries are redirecting to the unknown web pages, full of web links and promotions – so-called doorway websites. Such sites can contain web links for malware downloads. The possibility of redirecting rises if you try to open Google search page forcibly.

However all these actions are a lot more annoying than truly destructive. The most important danger, particularly for individuals who have a lot of secret information in their web browsers, is embedded in information gathering capabilities. Cookie files, conversations, often-visited sites, as well as various other activities are easily collected by NewTab MediaSearch hijacker.

How to remove NewTab MediaSearch search hijacker?

• Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
• Open GridinSoft Anti-Malware and perform a “Standard scan“.
• “Move to quarantine” all items.
• Open “Tools” tab – Press “Reset Browser Settings“.
• Select proper browser and options – Click “Reset”.
• Restart your computer.

Browser hijackers are generally fairly easy to deal with. Most of the times, they have a separate application that can be spotted in the list of installed programs. Because of the specific distribution manner of NewTab MediaSearch hijacker, it can be conveniently tracked and deleted by hand. However, if you got NewTab MediaSearch in the bundle with a free applications, your system may be contaminated with much more major malware – trojans, spyware or even ransomware. That’s why I’d recommend you use anti-malware programs to remove the NewTab MediaSearch PUA and all other malware.

You can make use of Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of finding and clearing away different malware, including named hijacker. However, severe malware, that can exist on your computer in the mentioned case, can disable the Windows antimalware tool by modifying the Group Policies. To prevent such circumstances, it is better to utilize GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

To detect and remove all unwanted programs on your computer with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, it’s better to use Standard or Full scan. Quick Scan is not able to find all the malware, because it checks only the most popular registry entries and folders.

You can observe the detected malware sorted by their possible harm till the scan process. But to choose any actions against the viruses, you need to wait until the scan is over, or to stop the scan.

To choose the action for every detected malicious or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected malicious app. By default, all malware will be moved to quarantine.

Reverting browser settings to original ones

To revert your browser settings, you are required to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action cannot be intercepted by any malicious program, hence, you will surely see the result. This option can be found in the Tools tab.

After choosing the Reset Browser Settings button, the menu will be shown, where you can specify, which settings will be reverted to the original.

Deleteing NewTab MediaSearch hijacker manually

Besides using anti-malware software for browser restoration, you may choose the “Reset browser settings” function, which is usually embedded in all popular browsers.

1. Open “Settings and more” tab in upper right corner, then find here “Settings” button. In the appeared menu, choose “Reset settings” option :
2. After picking the Reset Settings option, you will see the following menu, stating about the settings which will be reverted to original :

1. Open Menu tab (three strips in upper right corner) and click the “Help” button. In the appeared menu choose “troubleshooting information” :
2. In the next screen, find the “Refresh Firefox” option :

After choosing this option, you will see the next message :

1. Open Settings tab, find the “Advanced” button. In the extended tab choose the “Reset and clean up” button :
2. In the appeared list, click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” :
3. Finally, you will see the window, where you can see all the settings which will be reset to default :
   

1. Open Settings menu by pressing the gear icon in the toolbar (left side of the browser window), then click “Advanced” option, and choose “Browser” button in the drop-down list. Scroll down, to the bottom of the settings menu. Find there “Restore settings to their original defaults” option :
2. After clicking the “Restore settings…” button, you will see the window, where all settings, which will be reset, are shown :

As an afterword, I want to say that time plays against you and your PC. The activity of browser hijacker must be stopped as soon as possible, because of the possibility of other malware injection. This malware can be downloaded autonomously, or offered for you to download in one of the windows with advertisements, which are shown to you by the hijacker. You need to act as fast as you can.

References

1. More information about PUAs
2. Detailed review of Microsoft Defender