Regardless of what browser you are using – Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge or any other browser, when you open a new tab in your browser, you are faced with about:blank and now you suspect that this is some kind of genuine invitation that did you get, or is your computer now in the grip of a malicious threat? In this post, we’re going to try and figure out about:blank and if it makes you nervous, we’re even going to figure out how to remove it. So, without further ado, let’s dig in.
About what: Empty?
about:blank page is not a real page and is built right into your browser. It is a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) type. When you type about:blank , a blank page will appear. This message tells your browser that there is no default home page or default new tab page.
With about , you are asking the browser to show embedded internal web pages. For example, when you enter about:settings , your browser’s settings page will open. So, if you want the dino game to appear when you don’t have internet, open a new tab and type about:dino .
A: Clean up malware or other malicious threat?
Under normal circumstances, about:blank is not a malicious threat. However, if you accidentally click on a link or website, or download a file that you shouldn’t have, and if you notice an about:blank page afterwards, we recommend running an antivirus scan. This is because under these circumstances a blank page can cause you to download malicious content or drive you into clicking on ads .
Also Read: How To Choose The Right Antivirus?
Systweak Antivirus, for example, is one of the best antivirus programs for Windows. It detects and removes all kinds of malicious threats in real time. Thanks to an updated database that regularly sets new definitions. In addition to real-time protection, Systweak Antivirus also prevents you from stumbling across websites that might inject malware into your computer.
Here is how you can use Systweak Antivirus for protection:
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1. Download, run and install Systweak Antivirus
2. Click on the magnifying glass on the left side of the interface.
3. Select scan mode
If Systweak Antivirus detects any threats, it will immediately find and remove them. To know more about Systweak Antivirus, its features, and pricing, you can check out this post .
Not a Windows user? Here are some of the best Antivirus programs for Mac .
When will it be useful: Blank?
You must be wondering what is the meaning of about:blank page in Chrome, Firefox or any other browser? Well, it can be useful under the following circumstances −
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How to set or remove About: Blank as start page?
You cannot get rid of the about:blank page entirely, as it is part of your web browser. However, you can temporarily uninstall it, set it, or remove it as your start page. For the purposes of this blog, we will consider Chrome −
- To install or remove about:blank in Chrome –
1. Open Chrome
2. Click on the three vertical dots on the top right side.
3. Click Settings
4. On the left side, click the hamburger icon.
5. Click the radio button labeled Open a specific page or set of pages
- To install or uninstall about:blank in Apple Safari on Mac follow the given path given below −
Safari > Preferences > General
Now under Homepage the section type is about:blank . And, if you don’t want about:blank you can enter your desired URL.
Summarizing
Enclosing about:blank also has a purpose. The web browser cannot open a page that has nothing on it. It must display something and hence about:blank . You could even take it this way, when you have a blank page in front of you, you can think about which website to visit with a more focused approach as opposed to a cluttered web page. What do you think? Leave your suggestions and thoughts in the comments section below. To learn more about such content, keep reading StepsBoard.
