Yatab.net Redirect
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is yatab.net?
yatab.net is a fake search engine that supposedly improves the browsing experience by generating better results. Judging on appearance alone, this site may seem legitimate and useful, however, developers promote it using a potentially unwanted browser-hijacking application (PUA) called YaTab, which allows them to modify the browser homepage.
YaTab is likely to infiltrate computers without users’ permission. In addition, yatab.net and YaTab record information relating to browsing activity.
After successful infiltration, YaTab hijacks Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, assigning yatab.net as the new tab URL, default search engine, and homepage. These changes may seem insignificant, however, users are unable to revert them. YaTab reassigns these options when attempts are made to change them.
Therefore, unless this browser hijacker is uninstalled, are unable to return browsers to their previous states. Ultimately they are encouraged to visit yatab.net when a new browser tab/window is opened or when they enter a search query into the URL bar. These unwanted redirects significantly diminish the browsing experience.
Another downside is data tracking. As mentioned above, yatab.net and YaTab are designed to record information relating to browsing activity.
Collected data typically includes personal information that developers share with third parties, who misuse private data to generate even more revenue. Thus, information tracking can lead to privacy issues or even identity theft. You are strongly advised to remove the YaTab browser hijacker immediately and never to return to yatab.net.
Name | YaTab 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. |
There are hundreds of fake search engines that share similarities with yatab.net. The list of examples includes feed.convertowiz.com, search.hfasttrackerpackage.net, search.hmytvcenter.co, and many others.
These sites also claim to provide various 'useful features' (e.g., improved search results, quick access to popular websites, etc.) and enhance the browsing experience, however, these claims are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy. Fake search engines are designed only to help developers generate revenue.
Rather than giving any value, these sites cause unwanted redirects and gather information. Furthermore, some fake search engines feed users with misleading results and intrusive advertisements. These typically lead to dubious websites. Thus, using fake search engines is risky and might cause system infections.
How did YaTab install on my computer?
YaTab is free for anyone to download on its official website, however, many users install this app inadvertently. These browser hijackers are usually proliferated using intrusive advertisements and a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". Intrusive ads redirect users to malicious websites and run scripts that download/install PUAs.
"Bundling", on the other hand, is a deceptive marketing method used to proliferate unwanted apps together with regular software.
Developers hide third party apps within "Custom/Advanced" settings or other sections of the download/installation processes. In addition, they often rush these procedures, skip steps, and click various advertisements. This behavior often leads to inadvertent installation of third party apps such as YaTab.
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, pay attention when browsing the web and downloading/installing software. Study each window of the download/installation dialogs using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings.
Decline offers to download/install additional apps and opt-out of those already included. You are also advised to download your programs from official sources only, using direct download links. Third party downloaders/installers often include rogue apps, and thus using such tools is risky.
Remember that intrusive ads usually seem legitimate, however, once clicked, they redirect to dubious websites (gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc.). These ads are usually delivered by adware-type applications. Therefore, if you encounter redirects and ads, immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins.
The key to computer safety is caution. If your computer is already infected with YaTab, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Website promoting YaTab browser hijacker:
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Quick menu:
- What is yatab.net?
- STEP 1. Uninstall YaTab application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove yatab.net redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove YaTab browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove yatab.net homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove yatab.net redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
YaTab 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, "YaTab"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications that cause browser redirects to the yatab.net website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
YaTab 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://yatab.net 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 "yatab".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the yatab 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 "YaTab" and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "YaTab", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.yatab.net) below the “Open a specific or set of pages” option. If present, click on 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, disable "YaTab", look for "yatab.net", 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 yatab 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 on "Extensions" and remove "YaTab", 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, disable "YaTab", remove hxxp://yatab.net 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: "moz-extension"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with yatab 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 yatab 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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