Ads by unTabs
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is unTabs?
unTabs is a deceptive application that supposedly allows users to create groups and lists of web browsing tabs. On initial inspection, unTabs may appear legitimate and useful, however, this application is categorized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and adware.
There are three main reasons for these negative associations: 1) stealth installation without consent; 2) display of intrusive online advertisements, and; 3) tracking of users' Internet browsing activity.
Following infiltration, unTabs delivers pop-up, coupon, banner, and other similar advertisements. To achieve this, developers employ a "virtual layer" - a tool that enables placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, displayed ads often conceal underlying content, thereby significantly diminishing the browsing experience.
In addition, some lead to malicious websites and even accidental clicks can result in high-risk adware or malware infections. Furthermore, browsing activity is continually monitored, since unTabs (and "helper objects") continually record IP addresses, URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, and other similar data.
The collected data might contain personal details that developers of unTabs share with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who generate revenue by misusing private data. Therefore, the presence of a data-tracking app can lead to privacy issues or even identity theft. We strongly advise you to uninstall unTabs adware immediately.
There are dozens of adware-type applications virtually identical to unTabs including Tables, ScreenUp, and FirePlayer - these are just some examples from many. Note that all of these apps offer 'useful features', however, all are useless for regular users. These apps are designed only to generate revenue for the developers, whilst regular users receive no value.
unTabs, and other similar apps, merely deliver intrusive ads and continually record various user-system information.
Note - if this adware was installed as "Installed by Enterprise Policy" on your Chrome browser, follow this guide.
How did unTabs install on my computer?
unTabs is free for anyone to download on its official website, however, developers also proliferate it by employing a deceptive marketing method called "bundling".
Therefore, many users install unTabs inadvertently, without their consent, since developers hide bundled programs within the "Custom/Advanced" settings of the download/installation processes. Rushing and skipping this section often leads to inadvertent installation of PUPs such as unTabs.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
There are two simple steps you should take to prevent this situation. Firstly, never rush when downloading and installing software. Select the "Custom/Advanced" settings and closely analyze each step. Secondly, decline offers to download/install additional apps and cancel those already included. The key to computer safety is caution.
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Quick menu:
- What is unTabs?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unTabs application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove unTabs adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove unTabs ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by unTabs' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove unTabs extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
unTabs adware removal:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
macOS (OSX) users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window, look for "unTabs", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes unTabs ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove unTabs adware from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the untabs adware, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.
Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "unTabs", select this entry and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the untabs adware, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with untabs adware removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....
In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the untabs adware, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.
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