How to remove Nautilus Notes (under-cover.info) from the browser

What kind of extension is Nautilus Notes?

Our researchers tested the Nautilus Notes Chrome extension and found that it has the traits of a browser hijacker. While it presents itself as a sticky-note tool for the new tab page, installing it changes browser settings to promote under-cover.info, an address also pushed by other similar extensions.

The note-taking features that Nautilus Notes advertises may work as described, but this alone does not make the extension safe. Software that alters browser settings without clear consent is best removed, even if it also offers some genuinely useful functions.

Nautilus Notes and under-cover.info browser hijacker overview

Once added to Chrome, Nautilus Notes replaces the new tab page with its own note-taking workspace and changes the browser's default search engine to under-cover.info. This is a typical browser-hijacking tactic, meant to make users rely on a search engine they did not choose, every time they open a new tab or type a search query into the address bar.

Under-cover.info does not appear to generate its own search results. Instead, it redirects users to search.yahoo.com (a legitimate search engine), and possibly to other search engines or websites, depending on factors like the user's geolocation.

It is worth noting that under-cover.info is not promoted by Nautilus Notes alone. Our research shows this same address being pushed by a number of other browser extensions with similar new-tab or note-taking themes, all of which qualify as browser hijackers in their own right.

Browser hijackers often rely on persistence-ensuring mechanisms, such as restricting access to settings needed to undo the changes, or quietly reverting any modifications a user makes back to their preferred values.

Extensions of this kind frequently have data-tracking capabilities as well. Information of interest can include visited URLs, viewed pages, entered search queries, browser cookies, and IP addresses. This data may be shared with or sold to third parties, including cyber criminals.

To summarize, browser-hijacking software like Nautilus Notes is linked to privacy issues, exposure to unreliable content, and even financial losses in some cases. We recommend removing it from your browser as soon as possible.

Browser hijacker examples

We have examined numerous browser hijackers; PerfecTab, Search with AI on Chrome, Outer Space Tab, and Wild Nature are merely a few of our newest articles.

Extensions and websites like these often look harmless, or even genuinely useful, just as Nautilus Notes does with its sticky-note feature. However, offering a legitimate-looking function does not make a browser hijacker safe or trustworthy.

How did Nautilus Notes install on my computer?

Nautilus Notes can be installed directly from the Chrome Web Store, where it is listed as a productivity tool for organizing sticky notes on the new tab page. It may also be promoted through its own dedicated website, which encourages visitors to add the extension to their browser for free.

Like many browser hijackers, extensions promoting under-cover.info can also be distributed bundled with other free programs downloaded from peer-to-peer networks, freeware sites, and free file-hosting pages. Rushing through installation and skipping "Custom" or "Advanced" settings increases the risk of installing such extras unknowingly.

Intrusive advertisements and spam browser notifications on dubious websites are another common way users come across offers to install extensions like this one.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We recommend researching browser extensions before installing them, even when they are listed on an official store, and checking their requested permissions, reviews, and developer details carefully.

During software installation, read each step carefully, choose "Custom" or "Advanced" settings whenever they are available, and deselect any additional offers, extensions, or toolbars that you did not intend to install.

If your browser has already been affected by Nautilus Notes or a similar extension promoting under-cover.info, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to remove it and any related components.

Permissions asked by Nautilus Notes browser hijacker:

Nautilus Notes browser hijacker's "official" promotional website:

Appearance of under-cover.info redirecting users to Yahoo (GIF):

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:

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.

Quick menu:

• What is Nautilus Notes?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Nautilus Notes browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove under-cover.info homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove under-cover.info redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Nautilus Notes 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, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Nautilus Notes browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser redirects:

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 "Nautilus Notes" 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 "Nautilus Notes", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.under-cover.info) 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 "under-cover.info", 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 under-cover.info 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 "Nautilus Notes", 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 "Nautilus Notes", remove hxxp://under-cover.info 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 under-cover.info 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.

If you continue having problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

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 under-cover.info 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 to visit websites like under-cover.info?

Software that causes redirects like this is created to generate revenue for its developers. Increased traffic to under-cover.info, and other websites it may redirect to, can be monetized through advertising, search-related referrals, or partnerships with unreliable third parties.

Is visiting under-cover.info a threat to my privacy?

Under-cover.info and similar fake or unreliable search engines often collect data about their visitors, such as search queries, browsing habits, and IP addresses. This information may later be sold to third parties, which is why visiting such sites is considered at least a minor privacy risk.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Extensions like Nautilus Notes can be installed directly from official browser stores, through their own promotional websites, or bundled with other free programs downloaded from freeware sites, file-hosting pages, and similar sources. Deceptive ads and spam notifications can also lead to such installations.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Nautilus Notes browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate installed browser-hijacking applications. It is worth noting that manual removal, done without security software, might not be ideal, especially when multiple browser hijackers are present on the same system.

In these cases, after one hijacker is removed, others may reinstall it, and removal-related settings might be inaccessible while this software remains installed. Therefore, it is best to eliminate all browser hijackers thoroughly and at the same time.