How to remove the Translations Instant unwanted app
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Translations Instant?
Like most browser hijackers, Translations Instant assigns certain browser settings to the address of a fake search engine (to promote it). In this case, it sets them to translationsinstanthtab.com. Commonly, apps of this type record various user-system information (typically, browsing-related details) as well.
People often download apps such as Translations Instant inadvertently and, therefore, these browser hijackers are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).
Translations Instant modifies settings such as the address of the default search engine, homepage, and new tab by setting them to translationsinstanthtab.com. Translations Instant users are then forced to visit the address of this fake search engine when they open a hijacked browser, new tab, or enter search queries into the URL bar.
Note that translationsinstanthtab.com is a fake search engine, mainly since it does not generate unique results. When used, it simply redirects to search.yahoo.com (and displays results generated by the legitimate Yahoo search engine). Commonly, browser hijackers do not allow removal of their search engine URLs from the settings as long as they are installed.
Therefore, the only way to stop a hijacked browser from opening the address of a fake search engine is to uninstall the browser hijacker. In this case, users can remove translationsinstanthtab.com from browser settings by uninstalling Translations Instant. Most browser hijackers track information by collecting details relating to users' browsing habits.
Generally, they target IP addresses, entered search queries, addresses of visited pages, geolocations, and so on, however, they might also gather personal, sensitive information. The developers sell the data to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue in other ways.
People who have apps such as Translations Instant installed on browsers and/or operating systems might experience problems relating to browsing safety and online privacy, or they could even become victims of identity theft. Therefore, browser hijackers should never be downloaded or installed.
Name | Translations Instant |
Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab. |
Detection Names | Avast (Win32:Adware-gen [Adw]), AVG (Win32:Adware-gen [Adw]), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of Win32/WinWrapper.V Potentially Unwanted), Microsoft (PUA:Win32/OpenDownloadManager), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
Browser Extension(s) | Translations Instant |
Supposed Functionality | This app supposedly improves the browsing experience. |
Promoted URL | translationsinstanthtab.com |
Serving IP Address (translationsinstanthtab.com) | 34.200.202.39 |
Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine. |
Symptoms | Manipulated internet browser settings (homepage, default internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit the 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 browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites. |
Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Some more examples of PUAs of this type (browser hijackers) are Search Sherpa, GameSearch and GalaxySpin. Typically, they force people to visit a fake search engine address, and also gather various data. Browser hijackers deliver no real value or features - they cause only problems. Never trust these apps.
If Translations Instant or other apps of this type are installed on the browser or operating system, remove them immediately.
How did Translations Instant install on my computer?
PUAs are usually downloaded/installed through untrusted, deceptive intrusive ads or when software developers use a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" to trick people into unwanted download/installation of PUAs through the set-ups of other programs.
I.e., they include the unwanted apps into the set-ups and hide related information in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings. Unintentional downloads and installations happen when people do not check and change these settings. Leaving the default settings usually means agreeing to download or install your chosen software together with PUAs.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
You are advised to download software and files only from official websites and via direct links. Tools and channels such as third party downloaders and installers, torrent clients, eMule and other Peer-to-Peer networks, freeware download pages, etc. are used to distribute unwanted, malicious programs.
Check "Advanced", "Custom" and other settings when downloading or installing software. Decline any offers to download or install additionally-included apps. Do not click advertisements that appear on dubious web pages, since they can open other web pages of this kind or even cause download/installation of PUAs.
Regularly check the browser for installed unwanted, suspicious plug-ins, add-ons or extensions, and uninstall them.
The same should be applied to software of this kind that is installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with Translations Instant, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Translations Instant browser hijacker installer set-up:
Website promoting Translations Instant browser hijacker (Explorer):
Website promoting Translations Instant browser hijacker (Chrome):
IMPORTANT NOTE! This deceptive site asks to enable web browser notifications.
Therefore, before commencing, perform these steps:
Google Chrome (PC):
- Click the Menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the screen
- Select "Settings", scroll down to the bottom and click "Advanced"
- Scroll down to the "Privacy and security" section, select "Content settings" and then "Notifications"
- Click three dots on the right hand side of each suspicious URL and click "Block" or "Remove" (if you click "Remove" and visit the malicious site once more, it will ask to enable notifications again)
Google Chrome (Android):
- Click on the Menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the screen and click "Settings"
- Scroll down, click on "Site settings" and then "Notifications"
- In the opened window, locate all suspicious URLs and click on them one-by-one
- Select "Notifications" in the "Permissions" section and set the toggle button to "OFF"
Mozilla Firefox:
- Click the Menu button (three bars) on the right upper corner of the screen
- Select "Options" and click on "Privacy & Security" in the toolbar on the left hand side of the screen
- Scroll down to the "Permissions" section and click the "Settings" button next to "Notifications"
- In the opened window, locate all suspicious URLs, click the drop-down menu and select "Block"
Internet Explorer:
- Click the Gear button on the right upper corner of the IE window
- Select "Internet options"
- Select the "Privacy" tab and click "Settings" under "Pop-up Blocker" section
- Select suspicious URLs under and remove them one by one by clicking the "Remove" button
Microsoft Edge:
- Click the menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the Edge window
- Scroll down, find and click "Settings"
- Scroll down again and click "View advanced settings"
- Click "Manage" under "Website permissions"
- Click the switch under each suspicious website
Safari (Mac):
- Click "Safari" button on the left upper corner of the screen and select "Preferences..."
- Select the "Websites" tab and then select "Notifications" section on the left pane
- Check for suspicious URLs and apply the "Deny" option for each
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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Quick menu:
- What is Translations Instant?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Translations Instant application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove translationsinstanthtab.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove Translations Instant browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove translationsinstanthtab.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove translationsinstanthtab.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Translations Instant 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, "Translations Instant"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications that cause browser redirects to the translationsinstanthtab.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Translations Instant 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://translationsinstanthtab.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 "Translations Instant".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the translationsinstanthtab.com redirect, 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 "Translations Instant" 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 "Translations Instant", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.translationsinstanthtab.com) 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 look for "translationsinstanthtab.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 translationsinstanthtab.com redirect, 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 "Translations Instant", 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 "Translations Instant", remove hxxp://translationsinstanthtab.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: "extensionControlled"
Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the button.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with translationsinstanthtab.com redirect 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 translationsinstanthtab.com redirect, 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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