Microsoft Edge - Extra Tab with link - Edge Appears Clean

[Stecyk]

Hello,

This is my first thread here, so after reading the rules, I hope that I am okay to post.

Question
Does resetting the Edge browser always fix the problem with extra tabs mysteriously appearing?

This procedure is outlined here: How To Remove Adware, Pop-up Ads & Malware From Microsoft Edge as Optional Step 4.

Background
About a week ago, I was using Edge when I found a Tab that mentioned I was able to participate in a lottery or something because I was using my internet service provider's service. While the site looked professional, I knew this was a scam. So I cleaned out my cookies, hoping that the problem would go away. It didn't.

Now, I get an opened tab periodically, once every one or two days, that has a link to somewhere else. I will provide a screenshot below. This is no longer the ISP "prize winning" tab. Instead, it is different.




I have hidden most of my open tabs and favorites bar. While I don't think it matters, I will provide you with the urls that you can see.

http://64.140.170.149/short_time_links_api/https://takecpm.com/click.php?key=lx5kfrg6ndtgprfxv7lt&cost=usdcost&t1=zone&t2=stream&t3=subzone

https://takecpm.com/page/?nbHHduSiTWfoqv7GYateR8krp

These urls are very likely dangerous, so I did not check to see where they went.

I followed the steps outlined in the MalwareTips link above. I have Norton 360. It says my computer is clean. Both Malwarebytes and HitmanPro say my computer is clean too.

The next step is to reset Edge. I am curious if resetting Edge always fixes the problem? Is there any downside to resetting Edge? I don't mind losing my cookies or browsing history. I would like to keep my passwords, form data, and favorites. It appears as though favorites will be preserved, so I am assuming that my favorites bar is preserved too.

Summary
I have done most of the steps suggested to remove malware from Edge. Norton, Malwarebytes, and HitmanPro suggest that my computer is clean. Yet Edge's behavior with extra tabs suggests that something is wrong.

I am curious if resetting Edge will fix the problem and if there are any risks or downsides.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Hi,

I would reset Edge. If that doesn't solve the problem, we'll dig deeper.

 

[Stecyk]

TwinHeadedEagle,

Thank you for your comment. I will reset it this weekend, and then allow a few days to see if it reappears.

 

[Stecyk]

It just happened again. Whatever it is, it is sneaky to avoid Norton, Malwarebytes, and HitmanPro.

Url
http://64.140.170.149/short_time_links_api/https://takecpm.com/click.php?key=lx5kfrg6ndtgprfxv7lt&cost=usdcost&t1=zone&t2=stream&t3=subzone
Webpage
https://takecpm.com/page/?8v0RabY4C0veavqudL8tT3kYh

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Can you get the FRST reports by following this topic?

Guidelines - [MANDATORY] Preparation Guide Before Requesting Malware Removal Help

 

[Stecyk]

@TwinHeadedEagle, thank you for your comment.

Prior to posting my initial comment, I found and ran FRST64.exe. It generated the two text files. I had actually uploaded them and then decided to have a quick look at them prior to publishing my comment. Because of privacy concerns, I removed the files. Just browsing through very quickly, I spotted in one of the files my personal email address. I have no idea what other personal and confidential information might be present in those files.

I plan reset my Edge browser today or tomorrow. Let's see if that addresses the problem. If it does, then great. Our work here is done. If not, then we can discuss what I need to do next.

 

[Stecyk]

I still haven't reset my Edge browser. That's tomorrow's task. But I did get another "hit." This time, I got something that resembled the original problem. That is, I got an additional tab with stuff relating to my internet service provider. I ran Norton, Malwarebytes, and HitmanPro scans. They all claim that my personal computer is clean.

I hoping that tomorrow's resetting of my Edge browser fixes the problem.

Here's the most recent screenshot.

 

[Stecyk]

Hello, I reset Edge browser this weekend. Much to my dismay, the problem is back again. Any suggestions?

With regard to FRST64.exe, for privacy reasons, I do not want to post the files. As mentioned, I have seen confidential information in them.

 

[Stecyk]

I called Norton and am currently working with them. Unfortunately, we seem to be going in reverse. In addition to a malware issue, I now have a browser issue too. My browser does not work properly after Norton worked on my computer. I am supposed to work with them again tomorrow.

So there's no need to respond to my thread. At this point, I will keep escalating the problem within Norton until things get resolved.

 

[Stecyk]

I do have one suggestion for you, though, for your list of steps. Before you reset or starting tinkering with Edge, you should export your favorites. You never know once you begin how this process will turn out. So having a backup of your favorites might save you from a lot of grief.

Backup:
- Three dots
- Settings
- Import from another browser
- Export to file