Microcosm New Tab

By GoldSparrow in Potentially Unwanted Programs

Threat Scorecard

Ranking: 9,507
Threat Level: 10 % (Normal)
Infected Computers: 6,776
First Seen: April 24, 2017
Last Seen: September 16, 2023
OS(es) Affected: Windows

The Microcosm New Tab extension that you may install with a free software bundle choosing the 'Express' option is deemed as a Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP). The developer of the Microcosm New Tab extension designed the app to substitute the default new tab and start page on Google Chrome. Moreover, the Microcosm New Tab app's icon is identical to the 'Homepage' icon on Google Chrome and users need to hover over it to distinguish both buttons. Needless to say, if the users install the Microcosm New Tab extension with a software package they may wonder why the start and new tab pages look different. The official page of Microcosm New Tab can be found at microcosmtab.com, and the Web store page can be found at chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/microcosm-new-tab/nagnmfhgkjkplbhplkbicmpkfopmnefp. The developer of the program advertises his product to:

'Enhance your browsing and search experience. With this beautiful abstract animation, you will be always glad to open a new tab. Also, you can check the weather in your location with hourly and 4-day forecast. Get a unique look for your new tab and homepage.'

However, users are not provided with the Terms of Use Agreement and a way to provide feedback. There is no email address and contact form at microcosmtab.com. You may be interested to know that the Microcosm New Tab extension is an ad-supported program that may share information with third-party advertisers for market development purposes. The Microcosm New Tab app may send usage statistics to ad networks that include your Internet history, search input on Google, your preferred email address and bookmarks collection. When you install the Microcosm New Tab via the Chrome Webstore it will request the following rights:

  • Read and change all your data on the websites you visit
  • Read and change your bookmarks.
  • Know your email address.

The new tab page provided with the Microcosm New Tab extension mimics the layout of Google.com with a few modifications. The new tab by Microcosm includes built-in links to Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, Booking.com, Pinterest and LinkedIn. Additionally, advertisers can push targeted commercial offers via the Microcosm New Tab to your browser. The Microcosm New Tab extension behaves like the Yoga New Tab and the My Games Classics New Tab, which are reported to show marketing materials on the new tab page as well. PC users that do not welcome promotional materials on their new tab page may want to uninstall the Microcosm New Tab app and erase its tracking cookies with the help of a credible anti-spyware solution.

URLs

Microcosm New Tab may call the following URLs:

microcosmtab.com

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