Chrome-tab.com Redirect

What is chrome-tab.com?

chrome-tab.com is a fake Internet search engine that supposedly enhances the browsing experience by generating improved results and providing quick access to various popular websites (e.g., Facebook, eBay, YouTube, etc.).

Initially, this site may seem legitimate and useful, however, developers promote chrome-tab.com by employing rogue download/installation set-ups that modify browser options without users’ permission. Furthermore, chrome-tab.com continually records sensitive information.

Rogue set-ups target Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. Immediately after infiltration, they hijack web browsers and assign chrome-tab.com as the default search engine, new tab URL, and homepage. Furthermore, set-ups stealthily install a number of "helper objects" (potentially unwanted programs [PUPs] and/or browser plug-ins).

Therefore, returning browsers to their previous states becomes impossible. "Helper objects" reassign browser settings when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, users are unable to revert changes performed by rogue settings and users are forced to visit chrome-tab.com when they search via the URL bar or simply open a new browser tab.

These redirects significantly diminish the browsing experience. Information tracking is also an issue. Be aware that chrome-tab.com and "helper objects" continually monitor browsing activity and record various data types (e.g., search queries, URLs visited, pages viewed, keystrokes, IP addresses, geographic locations, and so on).

Collected information usually includes confidential details that developers share with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). These people purchase the information and misuse it to generate even more revenue.

Therefore, data tracking can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. If you encounter redirects to chrome-tab.com, uninstall all dubious applications and scan the system with a legitimate anti-virus/anti-spyware suite. Never return to this website.

Threat Summary:

Name	chrome-tab.com 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.

The Internet is full of fake search engines virtually identical to chrome-tab.com. The list of examples includes search.hidemysearch.bid, search.searchapp.website, search.iezbrowsing.com, and many others. 

By offering improved search results and other useful features, websites such as chrome-tab.com often trick users into believing that they are legitimate and useful. Despite this, they deliver no real value for regular users. The only purpose of all fake search engines is to generate revenue for the developers.

They cause unwanted redirects and gather sensitive information. Furthermore, fake search engines generate misleading search results and intrusive advertisements (banners, coupons, and so on). In many cases, users are redirected to malicious sites. Therefore, using a fake Internet search engine might lead to high-risk computer infections.

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

As mentioned above, chrome-tab.com is promoted using browser-hijacking downloaders/installers. This deceptive marketing method is called "bundling". Developers are aware that users often rush download/installation processes and skip steps.

Therefore, all information regarding modification of browser options is hidden within "Custom/Advanced" settings or other sections of these procedures. By skipping steps, users inadvertently grant set-ups permission to modify settings, expose their systems to risk of various infections, and compromise their privacy.

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, to prevent system infiltration by PUPs, be very careful when browsing the Internet and downloading/installing software. PUPs are distributed using intrusive ads.

These ads look legitimate, however, they are easy to distinguish, since most lead to gambling, adult dating, pornography, and other dubious sites. In most cases, intrusive ads are displayed by potentially unwanted adware-type programs. If you encounter them, immediately remove all suspicious apps/browser extensions. 

Ensure that you analyze each step of the download/installation processes. Select the "Custom/Advanced" settings, observe each window of the download/installation dialogs, and opt-out of all additionally-included programs. Using a legitimate anti-virus/anti-spyware suite is also paramount.

List of other fake search engines developed by the same developers:

chrome-skins.com/
chrome-backgrounds.com
chromeapps.club/
chromeappsgroup.com
chromethemesapp.com
superchromeapps.com
chromethemesz.com
chromethemesonline.net/
wonderful-themes.com
chrome-themes.online
pixo-themes.com
popular-themes.com
fantastic-themes.com
cool-chrome-themes.com
best-chrome-themes.com
tab-e-licious.com
epic-chrome-themes.com

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Quick menu:

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

chrome-tab.com 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, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

chrome-tab.com 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://chrome-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 "chrome-tab.com".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the chrome-tab.com 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 all 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.chrome-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 "chrome-tab.com", 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 chrome-tab.com 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 all 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://chrome-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: "chrome-tab.com"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with chrome-tab.com 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 chrome-tab.com 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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