Abstracthd-tab.com Redirect

What is abstracthd-tab.com?

Identical to PlankTab, Cat Start, and 3D Shape, Abstract HD is a rogue application that claims to allow users to customize the appearance of their homepages. These false claims often trick users into believing that Abstract HD is legitimate and useful, however, this app typically infiltrates systems without consent.

Furthermore, it promotes a fake Internet search engine and potentially tracks users' Internet browsing activity. For these reasons, Abstract HD is categorized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and a browser hijacker.

Following infiltration, Abstract HD hijacks Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, assigning the abstracthd-tab.com fake search engine as the new tab URL, homepage, and default search engine setting. Although these changes may seem insignificant, users are unable to revert them.

Research shows that Abstract HD reassigns browser settings when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, users cannot return browsers to their previous states and are forced to visit abstracthd-tab.com when they search via the URL bar or merely open a new browser tab. This significantly diminishes the web browsing experience.

As mentioned above, Abstract HD (and abstracthd-tab.com) continually records information that is likely to contain private details. Furthermore, developers of browser-hijacking applications sell collected data to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals), thereby putting your privacy at risk.

Sharing of personal data can lead to serious privacy issues. Some browser hijackers misuse system resources to perform various unwanted processes.

By mining cryptocurrencies or performing other unnecessary tasks, potentially unwanted programs significantly reduce overall system performance. For these reasons, we strongly advise you to uninstall the Abstract HD browser hijacker and never visit abstracthd-tab.com again.

Threat Summary:

Name	Abstract HD browser hijacker
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Symptoms	Manipulated Internet browser(s) settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). User's are forced to visit hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers.
Damage	Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites.
Malware Removal (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

There are hundreds of browser-hijacking applications that share similarities with Abstract HD. Most offer various useful features, however, PUPs are developed only to generate revenue for the developers. Claims to provide 'useful features' are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy.

Browser hijackers cause unwanted redirects (thereby promoting rogue websites, most of which are fake search engines) and gather data. Note that some fake search engines generate misleading search results and intrusive ads (banners, coupons, so forth).

These typically lead to infectious websites. In addition, some ads run scripts that download and install malware. Therefore, using fake search engines risks further computer infections.

How did abstracthd-tab.com install on my computer?

Abstract HD has an official download website, however, as mentioned above, it often infiltrates systems without permission. Be aware that developers promote PUPs by employing a deceptive marketing method called "bundling", and the aforementioned intrusive ads. "Bundling" is stealth installation of third party applications together with regular software/apps.

Developers do not disclose these installations properly - they conceal "bundled" apps within various sections (such as "Custom/Advanced" settings) of the download/installation processes. By skipping steps and clicking various advertisements, many users expose their systems to risk of various infections.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

The main reasons for computer infections are poor knowledge and careless behavior. The key to safety is caution. Therefore, be careful when browsing the Internet and downloading/installing software.

Cyber criminals invest many resources into intrusive ad design - most look legitimate, however, these ads typically lead to dubious websites, such as gambling, adult dating, surveys, etc. They are distinguishable, since intrusive ads are delivered by adware-type PUPs.

If you experience these redirects, uninstall all dubious applications and browser add-ons. Furthermore, carefully analyze each download/installation step and opt-out of all additionally-included programs.

Website promoting Abstract HD browser hijacker:

IMPORTANT NOTE! Abstract HD installs its Google Chrome extension as Administrator (read more here), thereby preventing removal. Therefore, before taking any further removal steps, perform these actions:

1) Open the Command Prompt by clicking the start menu button and typing "command prompt". Right click the "Command Prompt" result and select "Run as Administrator":

2) Execute the following commands:

• rd /S /Q "%WinDir%\System32\GroupPolicyUsers"
• rd /S /Q "%WinDir%\System32\GroupPolicy"
• gpupdate /force

After performing these actions, you can proceed with further removal steps for this browser hijacker.

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▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is abstracthd-tab.com?
• STEP 1. Uninstall Abstract HD application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove abstracthd-tab.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove Abstract HD browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove abstracthd-tab.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove abstracthd-tab.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Abstract HD browser hijacker 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 any recently-installed suspicious applications (for example, "Abstract HD"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted programs that cause browser redirects to the abstracthd-tab.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Abstract HD browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser redirects:

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 extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://abstracthd-tab.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer. You can also enter about: blank to open a blank page when you start Internet Explorer.

Change your default search engine:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". In the opened window, select "Search Providers", set "Google", "Bing", or any other preferred search engine as your default and then remove "abstract hd".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the abstract hd browser hijacker, 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 "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "Abstract HD - New Tab" and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.

Change your homepage:

Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.abstracthd-tab.com) below the “Open a specific or set of pages” option. If present, click the three vertical dots icon and select “Remove”.

Change your default search engine:

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list, look for "abstracthd-tab", and when located, click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the abstract hd browser hijacker, 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" and remove "Abstract HD", as well as all other recently-installed browser plug-ins.

Change your homepage:

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://abstracthd-tab.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your default search engine:

In the URL address bar, type about:config and press Enter.
Click "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "abstracthd-tab.com"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with abstract hd browser hijacker 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 and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...

In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.

In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.

In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.

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 top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.

Change your homepage and new tab settings:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".

Change your default Internet search engine:

To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the abstract hd browser hijacker, 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:

A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.

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