about:blank is a web page that appears as a blank or empty page in your web browser. It is not harmful or malicious by itself, but sometimes it can be a sign of a deeper issue, such as a malware infection or a browser hijacker.
In this tutorial, we will explain what about:blank is, how it can affect your web browser, and how to remove it.
What is about:blank?
about:blank is a built-in web page that is included in most web browsers. It is designed to be a blank slate, providing a blank page for web developers to use as a starting point for building web pages. It can also be used as a default homepage for some web browsers.
How can about:blank affect your web browser?
In most cases, about:blank is harmless and does not affect your web browser’s performance or security. However, it can be used by malware or browser hijackers to take over your web browser or redirect you to malicious websites.
Malware can infect your computer when you visit a website that contains malicious code or when you download and install a malicious program. Once infected, the malware can modify your web browser’s settings, such as your homepage, to about:blank, making it difficult for you to navigate to other websites.
Browser hijackers are programs that change your web browser’s settings without your permission. They can modify your homepage, search engine, and other settings to about:blank or other malicious websites. These programs can also display unwanted pop-up ads, redirect you to other websites, and collect your browsing data.
How to remove about:blank
Removing about:blank from your web browser is relatively simple. Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Scan your computer for malware
The first step in removing about:blank is to scan your computer for malware using a reputable anti-malware program. Some popular anti-malware programs include Malwarebytes, Norton, and Kaspersky. These programs can scan your computer for malware and remove any infections they find.
Step 2: Reset your web browser
If your anti-malware program does not find any infections, you should reset your web browser to its default settings. This will remove any unwanted settings or extensions that may be causing the about:blank page to appear.
To reset your web browser, follow these steps:
- Google Chrome: Click on the three dots in the top-right corner of the browser window, then click on “Settings.” Scroll down and click on “Advanced,” then scroll down again and click on “Reset and clean up.” Click on “Restore settings to their original defaults” and then click on “Reset settings.”
- Mozilla Firefox: Click on the three lines in the top-right corner of the browser window, then click on “Help.” Click on “Troubleshooting Information” and then click on “Refresh Firefox.”
- Microsoft Edge: Click on the three dots in the top-right corner of the browser window, then click on “Settings.” Scroll down and click on “Reset settings,” then click on “Restore settings to their default values” and then click on “Reset.”
Step 3: Remove any unwanted extensions
If resetting your web browser does not remove the about:blank page, you may have an unwanted extension installed. To remove any unwanted extensions, follow these steps:
- Google Chrome: Click on the three dots in the top-right corner of the browser window, then click on “More tools” and then click on “Extensions.” Find the extension you want to remove and click on the trash can icon next to it.
- Mozilla Firefox: Click on the three lines in the top-right corner of the browser window, then click on “Add-ons.” Find the extension you want to remove and click on “Remove
- Microsoft Edge: Click on the three dots in the top-right corner of the browser window, then click on “Extensions.” Find the extension you want to remove and click on the gear icon next to it, then click on “Uninstall.”
Step 4: Change your homepage
If your homepage is still set to about:blank, you should change it to a different website. To change your homepage, follow these steps:
- Google Chrome: Click on the three dots in the top-right corner of the browser window, then click on “Settings.” Scroll down and click on “On startup.” Select “Open a specific page or set of pages” and click on “Add a new page.” Enter the URL of the website you want to set as your homepage and click on “Add.”
- Mozilla Firefox: Click on the three lines in the top-right corner of the browser window, then click on “Options.” Under the “Home” section, select “Custom URLs” and enter the URL of the website you want to set as your homepage.
- Microsoft Edge: Click on the three dots in the top-right corner of the browser window, then click on “Settings.” Scroll down and click on “On startup.” Select “Open a specific page or pages” and click on “Add a new page.” Enter the URL of the website you want to set as your homepage and click on “Add.”
Step 5: Clear your web browser’s cache and cookies
Clearing your web browser’s cache and cookies can help remove any leftover data that may be causing the about:blank page to appear. To clear your web browser’s cache and cookies, follow these steps:
- Google Chrome: Click on the three dots in the top-right corner of the browser window, then click on “Settings.” Scroll down and click on “Privacy and security.” Click on “Clear browsing data” and select “Cookies and other site data” and “Cached images and files.” Click on “Clear data.”
- Mozilla Firefox: Click on the three lines in the top-right corner of the browser window, then click on “Options.” Click on “Privacy and Security” and then click on “Clear Data.” Select “Cookies and Site Data” and “Cached Web Content” and click on “Clear.”
- Microsoft Edge: Click on the three dots in the top-right corner of the browser window, then click on “Settings.” Click on “Privacy, search, and services.” Under “Clear browsing data,” select “Choose what to clear.” Select “Cookies and other site data” and “Cached images and files.” Click on “Clear now.”
Conclusion
about:blank is a built-in web page that is included in most web browsers. While it is not harmful by itself, it can be a sign of a deeper issue, such as a malware infection or a browser hijacker. If you encounter about:blank in your web browser, you should scan your computer for malware, reset your web browser, remove any unwanted extensions, change your homepage, and clear your web browser’s cache and cookies. By following these steps, you can remove about:blank and restore your web browser’s performance and security.