Newsearch123.com virus: what it is and how to remove it

No matter how attractive Newsearch123.com virus looks, you should know that it is not a reliable search engine. In reality, it is a dubious search site, which is used to collect the money with the help of advertising.

Facts checked October 7, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.

Automatic

Get a free scan and check if your PC is infected.

Fortect finds malware, unwanted programs and the Windows damage they leave behind, and repairs it in one pass.

Not sure what changed your search to newsearch123.com? An automatic scan checks extensions, programs and browser settings in one pass.

Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free.

Do it yourself · free Remove Newsearch123.com virus yourself 5 steps, about 15 minutes, no software needed.

Start the steps
Newsearch123.com virus: newsearch123 com redirect virus
Newsearch123.com virus as our 2016 report showed it.

Newsearch123.com virus: summary

Detection namesNo Microsoft detection name is known
DistributionNot recorded in the old report
DamageNot recorded in the old report
NameNewsearch123.com virus
TypeFake search engine
SymptomsA changed search engine
Removal

Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged.

Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free.
Show 5 more facts
EvidenceOne write-up by a security site; details still limited
Search pagenewsearch123.com
BrowsersChrome, Edge and Firefox
First seen23 March 2016
Facts checked7 October 2026

Is Newsearch123.com virus dangerous? What it collects

From our report of Mar 2016 · not reviewed since

Why should I stay away from Newsearch123.com virus?

No matter how attractive Newsearch123.com virus looks, you should know that it is not a reliable search engine.

In reality, it is a dubious search site, which is used to collect the money with the help of advertising. In reality, it has caused many discussions between computer users because of its suspicious functionality.

Many users have already complained about Newsearch123.com redirect issue, ads, and other annoying interferences while they browse on the Internet. So if you have noticed that this web page has replaced your home page without your permission, you should read this article.

This page, which appears to be reliable at the first sight, but is NOT a trustworthy search engine at all, can be set as your new main page on every Internet browser that you have installed on your computer. It can affect Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and some other Internet browsers as well.

Be cautious if you see this website set as you homepage - it is considered to be a browser HIJACKER. It also indicates that a potentially unwanted program (PUP) has invaded your computer system, and the only way to get rid of it is to remove Newsearch123.com files from your computer completely.

Newsearch123.com virus: newsearch123 com redirect virus
Newsearch123.com virus in our 2016 report.

From our report of Mar 2016 · not reviewed since

So what happens when this rogue app gets into your PC?

Once this app sneaks into your system, it attaches its browser extension to every Internet browser software it finds on the computer.

This extension changes your homepage to newsearch123, and it also starts tracking your browsing activity. Be ready to reveal your browsing history, downloads, bookmarks, IP address, PC geolocation and similar information to the developers of this suspicious program. We must warn you that this dubious app might share this data with third-party companies or even try to sell it. However, that is not the worst thing that this app does.

The most dangerous thing that Newsearch123.com does is that it delivers altered search outcomes. So even these search results look completely normal, keep in mind that some outcomes can include deceptive hyperlinks attached to them, and clicking on such outcomes might cause Newsearch123.com redirects to unreliable and unsafe third-party websites that belong to third-party companies that sponsor this app and its developers.

Sadly, some of these websites can be infectious or ask you to install hazardous apps. You can easily uninstall this suspicious application automatically - all you need is to install software (it fights against spyware and malware) and run a system scan with it. It will help you with newsearch123.com removal.

From our report of Mar 2016 · not reviewed since

How did Newsearch123.com hijack my PC?

Shortly said, this rogue app is spread in software bundles (in other words, software packages), as a 'recommended download.'

You can accidentally install such program if you choose Default or Standard (sometimes Basic or Express) installation settings. DO NOT choose these installation modes. They do not reveal relevant information to you, and they do not let you configure software installation.

That is why you should opt for Advanced or Custom installation option. These two options provide a list of suggestions to install 'recommended applications,' and this list usually includes several PUPs. You can refuse to install them by simply removing the tick near such proposals.

To learn how to uninstall this app, continue reading on page 2.

Check your browser and PC

  • Address: newsearch123.com

How to remove Newsearch123.com virus

How to stop Newsearch123.com virus from opening

The search page is only the end point.

These steps remove what sends the browser there, then put the search engine back.

  1. Step 1: Put the search engine back and delete newsearch123.com

    Searches that pass through newsearch123.com mean the browser's default search engine was replaced. Chrome: Settings > Search engine > Manage search engines and site search, then Make default on Google, Bing or another engine you chose, and Delete on newsearch123.com.

    Edge has the same list under Manage search engines (search the Settings page for it), and Firefox under Settings > Search.

    Look at On startup and the homepage settings too and remove the hijacker's address there. Nothing in this step differs between Windows 11 and Windows 10.

    Chrome Settings with the Search engine and On startup sections
    Chrome on Windows 11: check Search engine and On startup.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine

  2. Step 2: Remove extensions you did not add

    Newsearch123.com virus often works through an extension, so go through the extension list of each browser:

    • chrome://extensions
    • edge://extensions
    • Extensions and themes in Firefox

    Switch suspicious extensions off one at a time and reload the page where the problem shows, then remove the one that stops it, and any other you did not add.

    Remember the other browsers and profiles on the PC. If Remove is missing or greyed out, a policy forces the extension, which the policy step deals with. Windows 11 and Windows 10 show the same pages.

    Chrome menu with Extensions and Manage extensions highlighted
    Chrome on Windows 11: More > Extensions > Manage extensions.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Remove a browser extension

  3. Step 3: Uninstall programs you did not mean to install

    Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps in Windows 11, or Settings > Apps > Apps & features in Windows 10, and sort the list by install date. Look at what appeared around the day the problem started and uninstall every program you do not recognise or did not choose.

    Free converters, PDF and video tools, "system optimizers" and unknown browsers are the usual carriers of Newsearch123.com virus. If a name is unclear, search for it before you remove it, so you do not uninstall a driver or a Windows component.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Uninstall a program or app in Windows On uGetFix

  4. Step 4: Reset the browser

    Finish the browser part with a reset, which puts the search engine, start page, new tab page and site permissions back to their defaults and switches extensions off. Chrome: Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults.

    Edge: Settings > Reset settings. Firefox: Help > More troubleshooting information > Refresh Firefox, which also removes its extensions. Your bookmarks and saved passwords are kept, and the menus are the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.

    Chrome Settings page with the Reset settings section open
    Chrome on Windows 11: Settings > Reset settings.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine

  5. Step 5: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan

    Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, run a Full scan and remove everything it finds. Then select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and click Scan now: the PC restarts and scans before Windows loads, which finds files that hide while Windows runs.

    Save your work first, because the offline scan takes about 15 minutes. Both scans are built into Windows 11 and Windows 10, and a second scanner from another vendor is a useful extra opinion.

    Windows Security Scan options with Microsoft Defender Antivirus offline scan selected
    Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan

Instructions for each browser and system

The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.

Uninstall from Windows

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

  1. Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 10/8

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 7/XP

Remove the unwanted program:

  1. In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
  2. If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.Uninstall the unwanted program from Windows
Remove from Google Chrome

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

  1. Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
  2. In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chrome

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

  1. Click on Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
  3. Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
  4. Click Clear data.Clear cache and web data from Chrome

Change your homepage:

  1. Click menu and choose Settings.
  2. Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
  3. Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.

Reset Google Chrome:

If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
  4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm with Reset settings.Reset Chrome 2
Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

  1. Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
  2. From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
  3. Click Remove.Remove extensions from Edge

Clear cookies and other browser data:

  1. Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.Clear Edge browsing data

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

  1. Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
  2. Then find On startup section.
  3. Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

  1. Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
  3. Select Details tab.
  4. Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.Reset MS Edge
Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

  1. Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
  2. Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chromium Edge

Clear cache and site data:

  1. Click on Menu and go to Settings.
  2. Select Privacy, search and services.
  3. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  4. Under Time range, pick All time.
  5. Select Clear now.Clear browser data from Chroum Edge

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. On the left side, pick Reset settings.
  3. Select Restore settings to their default values.
  4. Confirm with Reset.
  5. This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.Reset Chromium Edge
Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
  2. Select Add-ons.
  3. In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.Remove extensions from Firefox

Reset the homepage:

  1. Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
  2. Choose Settings.
  3. Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.

Clear cookies and site data:

  1. Click Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security section.
  3. Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
  4. Click on Clear Data...
  5. Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
  2. Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.Reset Firefox 1
  3. Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
  4. Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.Reset Firefox 2
Delete from Safari

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
  2. Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.Remove extensions from Safari

Clear history and website data:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
  2. Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.Clear history from Safari

Reset Safari:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
  2. Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  3. From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.Reset Safari
Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).Uninstall from Mac

Delete leftover files and folders:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
  3. Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.Delete leftover files from Mac
  4. Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

Access your website securely from any location

When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.

If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.

Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks

While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files.

More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.

Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection.

From our report of Mar 2016 · not reviewed since

What should I know about removal of this browser hijacker?

Luckily, Newsearch123.com virus can be easily removed with the help of two different ways!

  • The first method that you can use is to remove it manually. For manual Newsearch123.com removal, we have prepared circumstantial removal guidelines for you - you can find them below this article.
  • The second method is to remove Newsearch123.com automatically. This method is recommended by computer security experts because it is a safer, easier, and faster way to detect and remove ALL computer parasites that might be sitting on your computer system and working in silence. Use one of the following programs to eliminate this PC intruder automatically:

Questions about Newsearch123.com virus

Is it safe to keep newsearch123.com as my search engine?

It is not recommended. Searches through newsearch123.com usually still return results, but the operator sees every query, often stores it with an identifier for your browser and shows extra ads or paid links. Some hijacked results lead to fake downloads or scam pages.

You also did not choose it, which means something changed your settings without asking and may still be installed. Set your own search engine back, remove the extension or program that set newsearch123.com, and check the browser's other settings, such as the start page and notification permissions, for further changes made at the same time.

Can newsearch123.com see my searches?

Yes. Every search typed into the address bar goes to newsearch123.com first, which is how it earns money. It can log the query, the time and an identifier for your browser, and some hijackers also collect the pages you visit through their extension.

The privacy policy of such sites usually allows sharing that data with partners. Once the hijacker is removed and your own search engine is set again, new searches no longer reach it. Searches already sent cannot be taken back, so avoid entering sensitive information until the clean-up is finished, and clear cookies afterwards.

Why do my searches go to newsearch123.com?

Because the browser's default search engine was changed to it. Newsearch123.com virus did that through an extension, a program or a browser policy, and as long as that source remains, the setting points to newsearch123.com.

The page then passes your query to a real search provider, so the results look almost normal, with extra sponsored links on top. Changing the search engine back on its own does not last, because the source resets it. Remove the extension or program first, then the policies if any, then set your own search engine.

Is it safe to keep searching with newsearch123.com?

We would not. Every query you type is logged by its operators and shared with their advertising partners, and the sponsored links at the top are chosen for payment, not relevance. Results that look like a download page or a support site may lead to scams.

The page will not damage Windows by itself, but there is no benefit in keeping it: the results come from another search engine anyway. Remove Newsearch123.com virus and use that search engine directly, by typing its address or choosing it in the browser settings.

Which browsers does Newsearch123.com virus affect?

We saw it in Chrome, Edge and Firefox. That does not mean the other browsers on your PC are safe: hijacker installers usually change every browser they find, and browser sync can carry an extension to other computers signed in to the same account.

Check the search engine, home page, new tab, extensions and policies in each browser you have, including ones you rarely open. Chrome and Edge profiles count separately, so switch to each profile and check it as well before you call the job done.

What does newsearch123.com know about me?

It knows what you searched for while it was your search engine, when, from which IP address and with which browser, and usually which results you opened. Tracking cookies let it connect those searches into a profile. It does not see your saved passwords or files.

After removing Newsearch123.com virus, delete the cookies and site data for newsearch123.com so the profile cannot be continued, and remove it from the browser's list of saved search engines. Signing out of important sites and back in also replaces session cookies.

I changed the search engine, but it switched back. Why?

The hijacker is still installed, and it rewrites the setting whenever the browser starts or the extension updates. Changing the setting is the last step, not the first. Find what controls it: the search settings page usually names the extension, and a greyed-out field means a policy.

Remove that source, restart the browser, then pick your search engine and delete the hijacker's entry from the list of saved search engines so it cannot be chosen by accident. Check again after a day, when extensions have had a chance to update.

Would an ad blocker stop Newsearch123.com virus?

Not really. An ad blocker can hide some of the sponsored results on newsearch123.com, but it does not change your search engine back or remove the extension that set it. Your searches would still pass through the hijacker's servers and be logged.

Some ad blockers include tracking filters that block parts of the redirect chain, which can break searches altogether. Remove Newsearch123.com virus with the plan above; an ad blocker is a reasonable extra afterwards, from the official store only and from a developer with a long track record.

Should I just switch to another browser?

It may not help. Installers that add hijackers usually target every browser on the PC, and system-level changes such as the hosts file, DNS or proxy affect all browsers at once. A new browser also leaves the hijacker's program and extension in place, collecting data in the old one.

Remove Newsearch123.com virus properly first. After that, use whichever browser you prefer; Chrome, Edge and Firefox all let you set and protect your own search engine. Import your bookmarks only after the old browser is clean.

Will Fortect remove Newsearch123.com virus?

Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.

For Newsearch123.com virus, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.

Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.

Sources

More removal guides

Remove Zippyshare virus

Zippyshare - a file sharing site which may cause some problems Zippyshare is a legitimate website that people use to upload files up to 500MB in size and share links.Browser HijackersMedium riskJake Doevan ·

Remove Nebula Search browser hijacker

Nebula Search - a potentially unwanted program that changes your browser settings to serve you sponsored content regularly Nebula Search is yet another browser hijacker that can be downloadedBrowser HijackersMedium riskGabriel E. Hall ·

Remove Is Wave Browser malware? What it is and how to remove it from Windows

Wave Browser (WaveBrowser, from Wavesor Software) is not a classic virus, but Malwarebytes detects it as a potentially unwanted program, PUP.Optional.Wave, and says some copies are installed without the user's...BHMedium riskUgnius Kiguolis ·

Remove Omni-search.net virus

Omni-search.net - a browser hijacker that aims at Chrome and Firefox users Omni-search.net is a domain that leads to BlaSearch. It’s a suspicious search engine that redirects searches to YahooBrowser HijackersHigh riskAlice Woods ·

Questions and experiences: Newsearch123.com virus

Still seeing it, or found something we did not cover? Ask here: members and our editors answer. Reading is open; writing needs a free account.

0 comments

…

5,569 members already hereReading, writing, commenting and voting. 0 verified · 294 joined this year