How to Remove AstralNeonen Extension (Browser Hijacker Threat)

If your Chrome browser unexpectedly displays the message “Managed by your organization”, and you’re not part of an organization or IT-managed network, you may be dealing with a potentially unwanted extension—specifically, AstralNeonen. This intrusive browser hijacker takes over browser settings, injects policies that prevent removal, and reroutes your search queries, all while operating silently in the background.

Below is a complete breakdown of this threat, how it works, and how to safely remove it from your system.

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AstralNeonen Threat Summary

Attribute	Details
Name	AstralNeonen (also associated with Finditfasts.com)
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, PUA (Potentially Unwanted Application), Redirect Malware
Symptoms	“Managed by your organization” message, browser hijacking, pop-ups, redirects
Associated Emails	None reported
Detection Names	Adware.Chrome.Agent, PUA:Win32/Presenoker, ChromePolicyHijacker
Damage	Locks browser settings, injects policies, forces use of rogue search engines
Distribution Methods	Bundled freeware, fake software updates, malicious ads
Danger Level	Moderate to High
Affected Platforms	Windows, macOS (via Chrome)

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What Is AstralNeonen?

AstralNeonen is a Chrome extension that abuses browser management policies to gain persistent control. It exploits a legitimate Chrome feature—“Managed by your organization”—which is typically used in corporate environments. Once installed, it modifies internal Chrome policies, such as the ExtensionInstallForcelist, making itself extremely hard to remove using the standard Chrome UI.

It behaves similarly to other browser threats like QuantumAsteroidus, HyperFractius, and HyperMeteoror.

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How to Remove AstralNeonen Extension

Step 1: Check Chrome Policies

1. Open Chrome.
2. Type chrome://policy/ in the address bar and press Enter.
3. Look for policies that reference extensions or seem suspicious.

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Step 2: Windows Removal via Group Policy and Registry Editor

1. Open Registry Editor: Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
2. Navigate to:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome

3. Delete Suspicious Keys:
   • Look for ExtensionInstallForcelist or anything referencing unknown extensions.
   • Right-click and delete the entry.
4. Remove Extension Files:
   • Go to:
     • C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions
   • Delete folders with random names that don’t match known installed extensions.

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Step 3: macOS Removal

1. Remove Policy Files via Terminal:

   sudo rm -rf /Library/Managed\ Preferences/com.google.Chrome.plist
   sudo rm -rf ~/Library/Preferences/com.google.Chrome.plist

2. Delete Extension Folders:

   ~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/Default/Extensions

• Look for suspicious folders and delete them.

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Step 4: Run a Full Malware Scan

Use a trusted malware removal tool such as SpyHunter for Mac or Windows to perform a full system scan and eliminate any hidden components of the threat.

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Prevention Tips

• Avoid downloading software from shady or unofficial sources.
• Always read installation prompts carefully and opt out of optional offers.
• Use browser extensions only from verified sources.
• Keep your OS and browser updated with the latest security patches.
• Install reputable anti-malware software with real-time protection features.

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Conclusion

The AstralNeonen extension is more than just an annoying browser hijacker—it’s a manipulative threat that rewires browser policy controls and limits user access. If your browser says it’s “Managed by your organization” and you didn’t set this up, take immediate action to remove this unwanted extension. With proper steps and tools, you can restore full control over your browser and system.

If you are still having trouble, consider contacting remote technical support options.