Remove Pics4NewTab virus (Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge) - Free Guide
Pics4NewTab virus deteriorates your browsing experience
Pics4NewTab is categorized as an unreliable search engine developed by an infamous Aztec Media, Inc. It can also be called a new version of 4newtab.com hijacker mentioned on our site several weeks ago. Typically to such type of PUPs, this virus hijacks your Google Chrome browser and modifies its settings. Of course, it can be improved and be prepared to affect other web browsers in the nearest future.
You can get tricked into installing Pics4NewTab virus as a way to decorate your new tab and a homepage with free wallpapers and backgrounds. Unfortunately, researchers have discovered that this browser extension[1] can cause additional problems on your computer, so you are highly recommended to avoid it.
Delusional offers to customize your browser can end up with a desire to remove Pics4NewTab from the system because it sets www.4newtab.com/pics as browser’s default search engine, new tab and homepage without your consent, and resets settings mentioned above once you attempt to change them to the primary state. Therefore, you can get trapped and continue to use its services daily.
Moreover, cybersecurity experts from UtanVirus.se[2] warn about the possible redirects to suspicious websites by Pics4NewTab. This fake search engine floods computer users with provoking ads that are filled with shady coupons and quick prizes. If you click on those advertisements, you might get switched to pages used to distribute malware and other threats posing a serious danger to your system[3].
Some users even link Pics4NewTab virus with New Tab ads since both of them deliver excessive amounts of dangerous advertisements. These popups might come up as:
- Commercial offers;
- Discounts;
- Deals;
- Similar content related to e-shops.
Pics4NewTab tries to attract naive computer users to download the suspicious extension by displaying a deceptive description on Chrome Web Store.
Finally, we need to warn you that Pics4NewTab gathers information about its users. It might include your computer's IP address, its location, clicked ads or entered information. While many of users might not be concerned, the real problem arises when users unconsciously provide these credentials to the developers of a browser hijacker.
For example, if they submit their e-mail address in the search bar, they might receive spam later. It has become a common practice for cyber criminals and hackers to distribute high-risk computer infections via malicious attachments. Thus, to avoid getting infected with malware, we highly recommend you to get rid of this ad-supported program.
You can remove Pics4NewTab by following the instructions at the end of this article or by getting help from Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego or any other reliable security software.
Techniques employed to distribute the browser hijacker
Even though Pics4NewTab is not a malicious virus, it is still classified as a potentially unwanted program (PUP). Typically, developers bundle PUPs with regular software to take advantage of people who rush to finish the installation process and skip many steps.
If you do not want to get infected with the hijacker, carefully follow the download/installation procedure — search for optional downloads that have already been selected before and de-select them immediately.
Besides, analysts say that Pics4NewTab behavior is similar to New Tab Search. Thus, there is a possibility that developers tried to confuse computer users by releasing a new version. Be aware that both of these shady browser extensions are offered on the Chrome Web Store. You shouldn’t be deceived by the attractive descriptions and stay away from the potentially unwanted programs (PUPs).
The easiest way to uninstall Pics4NewTab
If you are searching for the quickest and easiest way to remove Pics4NewTab virus, choose a professional anti-spyware software and get rid of the hijacker within seconds. You should download a security program and run a full system scan.
Our IT experts have prepared a detailed elimination guide for those who are up for a manual Pics4NewTab removal challenge. You can find it at the end of this article.
You may remove virus damage with a help of Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
To remove Pics4NewTab virus, follow these steps:
Erase Pics4NewTab from Windows systems
To uninstall Pics4NewTab from Windows completely, search for additional Chrome browser extensions that might be related to the hijacker. In order to do that, follow the instructions given below.
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Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
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If you are Windows 10 / Windows 8 user, then right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once Quick Access Menu shows up, select Control Panel and Uninstall a Program.
- Uninstall Pics4NewTab and related programs
Here, look for Pics4NewTab or any other recently installed suspicious programs. -
Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes.
- Remove Pics4NewTab from Windows shortcuts
Right click on the shortcut of Mozilla Firefox and select Properties.
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Go to Shortcut tab and look at the Target field. Delete malicious URL that is related to your virus.
Repeat steps that are given above with all browsers' shortcuts, including Internet Explorer and Google Chrome. Make sure you check all locations of these shortcuts, including Desktop, Start Menu and taskbar.
Remove Pics4NewTab from Mac OS X system
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If you are using OS X, click Go button at the top left of the screen and select Applications.
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Wait until you see Applications folder and look for Pics4NewTab or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.
Delete Pics4NewTab from Internet Explorer (IE)
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Remove dangerous add-ons
Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top right corner of the browser and choose Manage Add-ons.
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You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for Pics4NewTab and other suspicious plugins. Disable these entries by clicking Disable:
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Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Click on the gear icon (menu) on the top right corner of the browser and select Internet Options. Stay in General tab. -
Here, remove malicious URL and enter preferable domain name. Click Apply to save changes.
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Reset Internet Explorer
Click on the gear icon (menu) again and select Internet options. Go to Advanced tab. - Here, select Reset.
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When in the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset again to complete Pics4NewTab removal.
Uninstall Pics4NewTab virus from Microsoft Edge
Reset Microsoft Edge settings (Method 1):
- Launch Microsoft Edge app and click More (three dots at the top right corner of the screen).
- Click Settings to open more options.
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Once Settings window shows up, click Choose what to clear button under Clear browsing data option.
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Here, select all what you want to remove and click Clear.
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Now you should right-click on the Start button (Windows logo). Here, select Task Manager.
- When in Processes tab, search for Microsoft Edge.
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Right-click on it and choose Go to details option. If can’t see Go to details option, click More details and repeat previous steps.
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When Details tab shows up, find every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right click on each of them and select End Task to end these entries.
Resetting Microsoft Edge browser (Method 2):
If Method 1 failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method.
- Note: you need to backup your data before using this method.
- Find this folder on your computer:
C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe. -
Select every entry which is saved on it and right click with your mouse. Then Delete option.
- Click the Start button (Windows logo) and type in window power in Search my stuff line.
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Right-click the Windows PowerShell entry and choose Run as administrator.
- Once Administrator: Windows PowerShell window shows up, paste this command line after PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> and press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml -Verbose}
Once these steps are finished, Pics4NewTab should be removed from your Microsoft Edge browser.
Get rid of Pics4NewTab from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
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Remove dangerous extensions
Open Mozilla Firefox, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Add-ons → Extensions.
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Here, select Pics4NewTab and other questionable plugins. Click Remove to delete these entries.
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Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Click on the menu (top right corner), choose Options → General. - Here, delete malicious URL and enter preferable website or click Restore to default.
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Click OK to save these changes.
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Reset Mozilla Firefox
Click on the Firefox menu on the top left and click on the question mark. Here, choose Troubleshooting Information.
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Now you will see Reset Firefox to its default state message with Reset Firefox button. Click this button for several times and complete Pics4NewTab removal.
Eliminate Pics4NewTab from Google Chrome
To fix your Google Chrome browser, uninstall Pics4NewTab extension and other suspicious programs that might have been installed without your knowledge. You can get help from the guide provided below:
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Delete malicious plugins
Open Google Chrome, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Tools → Extensions.
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Here, select Pics4NewTab and other malicious plugins and select trash icon to delete these entries.
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Change your homepage and default search engine if it was altered by your virus
Click on menu icon and choose Settings. -
Here, look for the Open a specific page or set of pages under On startup option and click on Set pages.
- Now you should see another window. Here, delete malicious search sites and enter the one that you want to use as your homepage.
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Click on menu icon again and choose Settings → Manage Search engines under the Search section.
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When in Search Engines..., remove malicious search sites. You should leave only Google or your preferred domain name.
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Reset Google Chrome
Click on menu icon on the top right of your Google Chrome and select Settings. -
Scroll down to the end of the page and click on Reset browser settings.
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Click Reset to confirm this action and complete Pics4NewTab removal.
Erase Pics4NewTab from Safari
- Remove dangerous extensions
Open Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu at the top left of the screen. Once you do this, select Preferences.
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Here, select Extensions and look for Pics4NewTab or other suspicious entries. Click on the Uninstall button to get rid each of them.
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Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Open your Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu section. Here, select Preferences as it was displayed previously and select General. -
Here, look at the Homepage field. If it was altered by Pics4NewTab, remove unwanted link and enter the one that you want to use for your searches. Remember to include the "http://" before typing in the address of the page.
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Reset Safari
Open Safari browser and click on Safari in menu section at the top left of the screen. Here, select Reset Safari....
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Now you will see a detailed dialog window filled with reset options. All of those options are usually checked, but you can specify which of them you want to reset. Click the Reset button to complete Pics4NewTab removal process.
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References
- ^ Chris Hoffman. Beginner Geek. Everything You Need To Know About Browser Extensions. How to Geek. We Explain Technology.
- ^ UtanVirus. UtanVirus. Security and Spyware News.
- ^ Carl Levin, John McCain. Online Advertising and Hidden Hazards to Consumer Security and Data Privacy. Online Trust Alliance. Internet Society Initiative.
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