How to remove Cool New Tab Theme (Mac)

What is Cool New Tab Theme

Cool New Tab Theme is a browser hijacker infection that targets Mac-based systems. Users experiencing malware of such type, have their browsers controlled by third-parties organizations and imposed with other features. One of them relates to the assignment of a fake search engine (coolnewtabtheme.com) that incessantly redirects entered queries to legitimate engines like Yahoo.com. This is such a sneaky method to earn quick cash by generating traffic of queries channeled through recognized platforms. It is also determined that Cool New Tab Theme was previously delivered by Chrome extension called Emoji Keyboard that is no longer available in the store. Despite this, developers switched up to engaging circuitous routes like bundling to promote their software. Thus, all of these traits characterize Cool New Tab Theme as a rogue extension, especially considering the fact that it can be used to collect sensitive data and sell it on shady platforms. Scroll down the next section below to find out removal instructions and protection tips as well.

How Cool New Tab Theme infected your computer

As mentioned, apps that prompt the change of browser settings, are often distributed in a sneaky fashion. Cybercriminals analyze user’s psychology and rely on their inexperience. There is a wide range of people that opt for the installation of cracked/pirated programs. By doing so, they put themselves under risk of getting damaged by potentially unwanted software. Sometimes pursuing to bypass licensed software can cost you privacy and become a potential culprit for confidential leaks as a result. Even if you are heavily tagged to downloading freeware, we recommend you be cautious and uncheck additional offers that are usually concealed inside “Advanced” or “Custom” sections. Sometimes developers do not give freedom of choice and force people to install third-parties software along with the intended program. Whatever the case, if you become a victim of browser hijackers like Cool New Tab Theme, we will help you get rid of it and establish strong protection against similar threats in the future.

Remove Cool New Tab Theme manually for free

Here is the manual step-by-step tutorial for full Cool New Tab Theme removal from your computer. This works 99% and was checked with the latest versions of the Cool New Tab Theme installer on operating systems with the latest updates and browser versions.

Important update: Cool New Tab Theme hijacker installs malicious Device Profile called AdminPrefs on MacOS, that won’t allow users to make changes to browser search engine and homepage settings. Follow instructions below to remove this profile.

Remove Cool New Tab Theme profile

1. Go to System Preferences and click on Profiles.
2. In the list of profiles on the left side choose AdminPrefs and click on “-” button to remove it.
3. In your case it can be named differently, in this case remove all visible profiles. Check the picture below to see how it looks like.

Remove Cool New Tab Theme from Applications

Remove Cool New Tab Theme from Mac:

1. In the Finder sidebar, click Applications.
2. Cool New Tab Theme might have an Uninstaller. If you see Uninstall Cool New Tab Theme or Cool New Tab Theme Uninstaller, double-click it and follow the onscreen instructions.
3. Otherwise, drag Cool New Tab Theme from the Applications folder to the Trash (located at the end of the Dock).
4. Then choose Finder > Empty Trash.

Cannot uninstall Cool New Tab Theme

If you can’t uninstall Cool New Tab Theme using instructions above, or it keeps coming back, you can use free AppCleaner for Mac to remove all residual data and libraries of Cool New Tab Theme. Follow instructions below:

1. Download free AppCleaner.
2. Drag Cool New Tab Theme from Applications folder to AppCleaner window.
3. Choose files and folders you want to remove along with Cool New Tab Theme.
4. Click Delete button.

Remove Cool New Tab Theme add-on from your browsers

Removing Cool New Tab Theme from Applications often does not bring the desired effect. It is a browser extension and it may still be active in Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. Here are instructions on how to remove the Cool New Tab Theme extension from your browsers manually.

Safari:

1. Start Safari on your Mac, click Safari to open drop-down menu and choose Preferences
2. Click Extensions tab.
3. Find Cool New Tab Theme extension.
4. Click Uninstall button to remove it.

Google Chrome:

1. Start Google Chrome browser
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) chrome://extensions.
3. Find Cool New Tab Theme extension.
4. Click the trash can icon to remove it.

Mozilla Firefox:

1. Start Mozilla Firefox browser.
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) about:addons.
3. Choose Cool New Tab Theme extension.
4. Click Disable or Remove button.

Reset browser settings

To finish Cool New Tab Theme removal reset your browser settings to make sure, there are no leftover items in browser folders.

Reset Safari:

1. Start Safari on your Mac, click Safari to open drop-down menu and choose Preferences
2. Go to the Privacy section of Safari’s preferences.
3. Click Remove All Website Data button.
4. In opened window click Remove Now button to remove data stored by websites in Safari.
5. Go to the Advanced section of Safari’s preferences.
6. Click the Show Develop menu in menu bar option.
7. In the menu click Develop and select Empty Caches from this menu.
8. Again, go to Safari menu and choose Clear History….
9. Choose to clear all history and click Clear History button.

Reset Google Chrome:

1. Start Google Chrome browser
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) chrome://settings.
3. Scroll down and find Show advanced settings link.
4. Click on it and scroll down to the bottom again.
5. Click Reset settings button and click Reset to confirm.

Reset Mozilla Firefox:

1. Start Mozilla Firefox browser.
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) about:support.
3. Click Refresh Firefox… button.
4. Click Refresh Firefox to confirm.

Remove following files and folders of Cool New Tab Theme


~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.CoolNewTabTheme.plist
~/Library/Safari/Extensions/CoolNewTabTheme.safariextz
~/Library/Application Support/CoolNewTabTheme


How to protect Mac OSX from hijackers, like Cool New Tab Theme

Mac OSX is known to be one of the safest operating systems, and for a long time there was no need in antivirus products for Mac. But with the growing popularity of Mac computers and notebooks and evolving technology, viruses, trojans, adware, toolbars, hijackers and other malware paved the way for Mac users. We recommend you to use one of the best anti-malware for Mac available – Malwarebytes for Mac.