If your browser, like Chrome, Firefox, or Edge, keeps popping up new tabs with ads for things you didn’t look for, your computer might have caught a virus or adware. This guide will show you some steps to get rid of those annoying tabs.
Also see: How to Set New Tab Page to Google in Microsoft Edge
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The issue with Chrome or Firefox keeps opening new tabs
One of our clients had this problem with both Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox browsers opening new tabs at random times after clicking on links. Despite running a full scan with Panda Antivirus, reinstalling the browsers, and using Malwarebytes, nothing seemed to work.
Solving the problem of unwanted new tabs in your browser
After bringing the computer to us, we tried several top antivirus programs, and only Kaspersky antivirus was able to identify the problem. The culprit was an extension on the client’s Firefox browser called “Easy YouTube MP3.” Once we removed the extension, the problem was solved.
If you’re dealing with similar problems, the below are things you can try to do:
- Try a different antivirus program like Kaspersky Free Antivirus to scan your PC. Some viruses or malware might not get caught by one antivirus but might be caught by another.
- Look through your Chrome or Firefox for any weird extensions or plugins. If you see “Easy YouTube MP3,” get rid of it and check if that solves the problem.
- If you’re not sure which extension or plugin is bad, try to temporarily disable or remove all of them for a while to see if it fixes the issue. You can add them back one by one later to figure out which one is the culprit that is causing the issue.
- Sometimes, new or rare viruses or malware might slip past antivirus tools. Be careful and think twice before installing and using any new or unknown software.
These steps should help you stop those unwanted new tabs in Chrome or Firefox. If the problem continues, it might be good to seek help from a professional computer technician, especially if your computer is for work purposes.
Removing the suspicious extensions or plugins
If you suspect that a browser extension or plugin is causing those unwanted new tabs to keep opening themselves in your browser, follow the steps below to remove it:
- In Chrome, click on the triple-dotted icon at the top-right corner and pick “More tools.” Then choose “Extensions,” find the bad extension, and click on the trash can icon to remove it.
- In Firefox, click on the triple-bar icon at the top-right corner and pick “Add-ons.” Choose “Extensions,” find the one you want to get rid of, and click “Remove.”
- In Edge, click on the triple-dotted icon at the top-right corner and pick “Extensions.” Find the one you want to ditch, click on the gear icon next to it, and pick “Remove.”
Restart your browser after removing the extensions or plugins to make sure everything updates correctly. Then, try browsing the web again to see if the problem is gone.
Some last advice
Besides viruses or adware opening new tabs, some extensions might do other sneaky things like using your graphics card to mine cryptocurrency without you knowing. It’s safer to stick to well-known extensions and avoid the unknown and low rating ones.
Know that some new viruses or malware might not be detected by antivirus programs right away. Always be extra careful about what you install and use on your computer, especially if it looks suspicious. In the end, you will be the one to decide whether to use new or seldom-used software, and if you should risk it.
