How to remove Neat Tab browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of app is Neat Tab?
While examining the Neat Tab browser extension, our team learned that its primary purpose is to force users to use a fake search engine search.neatfor.me. We found that Neat Tab promotes search.neatfor.me by modifying the settings of the affected web browser. Thus, we categorized this app as a browser hijacker.
Neat Tab browser hijacker overview
The Neat Tab extension works by changing the default search engine, homepage, or new tab settings of the affected browser, redirecting users to search.neatfor.me whenever they perform a search. It is important to note that search.neatfor.me is a fake search engine that does not provide unique results - it redirects users to bing.com.
While bing.com is a legitimate search engine, fake search engines may provide manipulated search results and display sponsored ads to generate revenue. Using search engines like search.neatfor.me can lead to untrustworthy and even malicious websites. Thus, it is highly advisable not to trust search.neatfor.me and similar search engines.
Furthermore, our team discovered that the Neat Tab browser extension can access and read specific user data. While the exact nature of the data accessed may vary, it is crucial to exercise caution and consider the potential privacy implications when using such extensions.
| Name | Neat Tab |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Neat Tab |
| Supposed Functionality | Enhanced browsing experience |
| Promoted URL | search.neatfor.me |
| Detection Names (search.neatfor.me) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (search.neatfor.me) | 3.225.140.174 |
| Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
| Symptoms | Manipulated Internet browser settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit the hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers. |
| Damage | Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Conclusion
Given the findings, it is advisable to be cautious when encountering browser extensions like Neat Tab and carefully evaluate their privacy policy and permissions before installation. Removing the Neat Tab extension can help restore the browser settings and mitigate the potential risks associated with using fake search engines and granting access to user data.
More examples of apps that function like Neat Tab are Space Spiders, Flexi Search New Tab, and MyToDo.
How did Neat Tab install on my computer?
Users can end up having their browsers hijacked through software bundling, where browser hijackers are bundled with free or pirated software that users download and install. Clicking on malicious advertisements or visiting compromised websites can also lead to browser hijacking. Additionally, opening email attachments or clicking on suspicious links can result in the injection of browser hijackers.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Only download software from trusted and reputable sources. Avoid downloading applications from unfamiliar or suspicious websites, as they may bundle browser hijackers or other potentially unwanted programs. Be cautious when clicking on online ads or links, particularly those that appear suspicious or misleading.
When installing software, read the installation prompts and terms carefully. Opt out or decline any additional offers, especially for browser extensions or toolbars that are unrelated to the software you intend to install. If your computer is already infected with Neat Tab, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Permissions asked by Neat Tab browser hijacker:
Website promoting Neat Tab browser hijacker:
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.
Quick menu:
- What is Neat Tab?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Neat Tab application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Neat Tab browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove search.neatfor.me homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove search.neatfor.me redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Neat Tab browser hijacker removal:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
macOS (OSX) users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently installed suspicious applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the search.neatfor.me website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Neat Tab browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove Neat Tab browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Extensions" and click "Manage Extensions". Locate "Neat Tab" and other recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "Neat Tab", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.neatfor.me) below the "Open a specific or set of pages" option. If present click on the three vertical dots icon and select "Remove".
Change your default search engine:
To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for "search.neatfor.me", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the search.neatfor.me redirect, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate "Neat Tab", as well as all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable "Neat Tab", remove hxxp://search.neatfor.me and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.
Change your default search engine:
In the URL address bar, type "about:config" and press Enter. Click "Accept the Risk and Continue".
In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled". Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the 
button.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with search.neatfor.me redirect removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...
In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.
In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.
In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage and new tab settings:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".
Change your default Internet search engine:
To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon 
near it and select "Disable".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the search.neatfor.me redirect, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users visit search.neatfor.me website?
The purpose of forcing users to visit the search.neatfor.me website is primarily to generate traffic and potentially monetize it through various means.
Is visiting search.neatfor.me a threat to my privacy?
Search.neatfor.me can pose a threat to your privacy. As a fake search engine operated by malicious entities, search.neatfor.me may collect and track your browsing activities, search queries, IP address, and other identifiable information.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
A browser hijacker can infiltrate a computer through diverse methods, including being bundled with freeware or shareware programs that users download and install. Deceptive advertisements, misleading pop-ups, or visiting compromised or malicious websites are also common distribution channels for browser hijackers.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Neat Tab browser hijacker?
Manual removal methods may not always be entirely effective, especially in situations where multiple browser hijackers are present, and they have the ability to reinstall each other. Therefore, it is crucial to remove all hijackers simultaneously to fully resolve the issue and restore your browser settings to their default state. Combo Cleaner is designed to scan your computer and effectively remove existing browser-hijacking applications.
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