How to remove NewTab redirect from Mac

What is the NewTab redirect?

The NewTab redirect is a browser extension that redirects all of your internet searches and changes all of the ads you see. But it’s classified as a browser hijacker because it’s able to modify your browser and system settings. The first thing it will do is change your default search engine and the homepage in your browser.

These things may seem harmless, but this is how the makers earn money. They get paid based on ad clicks and website views. So, by infecting hundreds of thousands of computers, they’re able to generate more clicks and views. But that shouldn’t come at the expense of your computer’s performance.

How did the NewTab redirect get on my computer?

Okay, so the first thing you’re probably asking yourself is, “How did I get a virus on my Mac? I thought Macs weren’t supposed to get those.” And, well, the truth is they can be just as vulnerable if not protected in the right ways.

As Mac products grew in popularity, they also became a more worthwhile target. But knowing how to protect your Mac or what to do if it gets infected can make all the difference.

Typically, a browser hijacker like NewTab winds up on computers through a deceptive pop-up. You’ll see an ad for a piece of software that claims to do one thing, but, in turn, it’s NewTab. That’s one of the main reasons you should only install apps from websites you know and trust.

How to remove NewTab redirect manually from your Mac

If you do end up with the NewTab redirect on your Mac, the good news is that it’s fairly straightforward to remove. But do keep in mind you’ll need to check in each of the browsers you have installed on your computer. Not just the one you primarily use.

You can follow the steps for each browser outlined below:

Safari

1. Open Safari and click Safari > Preferences > Extensions.
2. Then, select any strange or unusual extension that’s listed.
3. Click Uninstall.
4. Now, quit and re-open Safari.

   

Firefox

1. Open Firefox.
2. Click the three horizontal lines > Settings > Extensions & Themes.
3. Select an extension > … > Remove.
4. Finally, quit and restart Firefox.

Chrome

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Click the three dots > Settings > Extensions.
3. Then, hit Remove on the extension you want to delete.
4. Quit and relaunch Chrome.

Get rid of NewTab redirect automatically

If you don’t want to worry about going through each browser and removing any suspicious plug-ins, you can try CleanMyMac. This software clears all system junk and malicious programs that may infect your computer.

After you download CleanMyMac and have it installed, all you have to do is follow these steps:

1. Open CleanMyMac.
2. Go to Malware Removal.
3. Next, click Scan.

Check for support files left behind

Whether you manually deleted NewTab or used CleanMyMac, there’s always a chance you left behind a few support files. The app needs these files to run properly, but they are generally saved in another location. So, when you delete the app, the files are still on your hard drive.

CleanMyMac can help you out with this, too. With CleanMyMac open, here are the steps to scan your Mac:

1. Click Uninstaller > Leftovers.
2. Select everything it finds.
3. Click Uninstall.

Turn on real-time monitoring

Wandering how to boost the protection of your Mac? Turn on a real-time malware monitoring feature that comes with CleanMyMac. When it is enabled, it scans all newly installed software and notifies you about any potential threats. 

To enable the tool, do the following: 

1. Open CleanMyMac and navigate to Preferences.
2. Click on the Protection tab.
3. Have all three boxes checked.

The NewTab browser hijacker, if left unmanaged, can cause quite a bit of a headache on your computer. It can make system changes or lock you out of the browser without you ever knowing. But the good news is that after reading this article, you should have all the information you need to remove NewTab and protect your Mac from similar malware.