Remove searches.club from browser settings

What is Boi Tab?

When visited, searches.club redirects to various other dubious websites, depending on users' geolocations. Research shows that searches.club appears in browser settings when the Boi Tab app is installed, however, other apps might also promote it.

Applications that promote rogue addresses (mostly fake search engines) by changing browser settings are classified as browser hijackers. Commonly, users download and install these apps inadvertently and, therefore, Boi Tab and others are classified as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

Typically, browser hijackers change settings such as address of the homepage, default search engine and new tab. The Boi Tab app sets them to searches.club. When users enter a search query into the URL bar, searches.club redirects to other dubious addresses.

At the time of research, searches.club redirected to searchmes.xyz via s3arch.page, search.yahoo.com via smashapps.net, and a download page for a PUA.

To stop browsers from causing redirects from searches.club to other dubious pages and remove it from browser settings, it is necessary to uninstall Boi Tab (and other app that may be designed to promote it), otherwise it will reassign settings after each attempt is made to remove or change them.

Note that apps such as Boi Tab often collect browsing data (e.g., IP addresses, entered search queries, addresses of visited pages, geolocations). In some cases, they target private, sensitive details. The information is misused to generate revenue by selling it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) or in other ways.

Therefore, users might become victims of identity theft, and experience problems relating to browsing safety, online privacy, and other issues. You are strongly advised not download or install apps such as Boi Tab.

Threat Summary:

Name	Boi Tab
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab.
Browser Extension(s)	Boi Tab (other apps may also be used to promote searches.club).
Supposed Functionality	Improved browsing experience.
Promoted URL	searches.club
Serving IP Address (searches.club)	172.67.219.61
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. ▼ 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 many potentially unwanted applications similar to Boi Tab. Some examples are Templates Discovery Tab, My Office Tools and Access TV Streaming. Most are advertised as useful apps that supposedly include various features, improve the browsing experience, etc.

In fact, they are useless and can cause serious issues. Therefore, you are strongly advised not to trust apps of this type. If a browser hijacker (including Boi Tab) is already installed on the browser and/or computer, remove it immediately.

How did Boi Tab install on my computer?

Commonly, users download and install browser hijackers (and other apps of this kind) when PUAs are included in software set-ups as 'additional offers'. When users fail to check the download/installation processes and change "Advanced", "Custom" or other settings, they allow additionally-included apps to infiltrate. This distribution method is known as "bundling". In some cases, users cause unwanted downloads and installations by clicking deceptive advertisements that execute certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Do not use Peer-to-Peer networks (eMule, torrent clients and so on), unofficial websites, various third party downloaders, installers, etc. to download or install software/files, since they are commonly used to distribute unwanted, malicious files and programs.

Download software and files only from official websites and via direct links. Check all "Advanced", "Manual, and "Custom" settings and decline offers to download or install unwanted software. Do not click intrusive advertisements that appear on dubious websites, since they can open untrusted sites or execute scripts that cause download/installation of unwanted software.

Remove any suspicious, unknown extensions, add-ons and plug-ins installed on the browser immediately. The same applies to programs of this kind that are installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with Boi Tab, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

searches.club redirects to search.yahoo.com via smashapps.net (GIF):

searches.club redirects to a download page for a potentially unwanted app:

Notification stating that Boi Tab can read and change certain browser settings:

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:
▼ 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 Boi Tab?
• STEP 1. Uninstall Boi Tab application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove searches.club redirect from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove Boi Tab browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove searches.club homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove searches.club redirect from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Boi Tab 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, "Boi Tab"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications that cause browser redirects to the searches.club website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Boi Tab 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://searches.club 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 "Boi Tab".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the searches.club 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 "Boi Tab" 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 "Boi Tab" (or other PUA), look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.searches.club) 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 "searches.club", 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 searches.club 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 "Boi Tab" (or other PUA), 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 "Boi Tab" (or other PUA), remove hxxp://searches.club 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 searches.club 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 searches.club 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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