How to remove The Recipe Tab application
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is The Recipe Tab?
After installation, The Recipe Tab browser hijacker changes certain browser settings to htherecipetab.com, the address of a fake search engine. Commonly, apps of this type are designed to promote fake search engines and collect browsing data (and other information).
Users often download and install browser hijackers inadvertently and, for this reason, Recipe Tab and other apps of this type are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).
The Recipe Tab browser hijacker assigns htherecipetab.com as the address of the homepage, new tab and default search engine so that users are forced to visit this address when they open a browser, new tab, or enter search queries into the URL bar.
Note that htherecipetab.com redirects to search.yahoo.com, and simply displays results generated by Yahoo (i.e. it does not generate any unique results). The address can be removed from browser settings only if The Recipe Tab is no longer installed, since these apps reassign the settings after each attempt to modify them.
Commonly, browser hijackers gather data relating to users' browsing habits. They usually target IP addresses, entered search queries, addresses of opened/visited sites, geolocations, and other data of this kind. Some browser hijackers can access and record sensitive details.
Developers misuse the information to generate revenue by selling it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). This can result in problems relating to browsing safety, online privacy or even identity theft. Therefore, you are strongly advised not to download or install The Recipe Tab or other similar apps.
Name | The Recipe Tab |
Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab. |
Browser Extension(s) | The Recipe Tab |
Supposed Functionality | Quick access to recipe websites. |
Promoted URL | htherecipetab.com |
Serving IP Address (htherecipetab.com) | 3.234.64.171 |
Detection Names (htherecipetab.com) | Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Suspicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal). |
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. |
There are various browser hijackers online, most of which are advertised as useful, legitimate applications. In fact, they are useless and designed only to generate revenue for the developers by promoting fake search engines and collecting information. Examples of other PUAs also classified as browser hijackers include Access Online Forms, MovieTab Pro and SearchWorld.
How did The Recipe Tab install on my computer?
In most cases, users download and install PUAs inadvertently, or, in some cases, by clicking deceptive advertisements designed to execute certain scripts. In the first case, PUAs are included into the set-ups as 'additional offers', which can be declined through "Advanced", "Custom" or other settings.
Many users install programs without checking and changing these settings, thereby allowing PUAs to infiltrate.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
Do not download or install any programs from unofficial, dubious websites, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule), or third party downloaders. Also avoid third party installers. All files and programs should be downloaded only from official pages and through direct links.
Check "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar options of the download and installation setup and decline offers to download and install unwanted apps. Do not click intrusive ads, since they can cause download/installation of unwanted apps. Typically, these ads appear on dubious, untrusted websites.
Remove any unwanted, suspicious extensions, add-ons and plug-ins that are installed on the browser. Also remove programs of this kind that are installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with The Recipe Tab, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
htherecipetab.com redirects to search.yahoo.com (GIF):
Notification stating that The Recipe Tab can read and change certain data:
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 The Recipe Tab?
- STEP 1. Uninstall The Recipe Tab application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove htherecipetab.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove The Recipe Tab browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove htherecipetab.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove htherecipetab.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
The Recipe 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, "The Recipe Tab"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications that cause browser redirects to the htherecipetab.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
The Recipe 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://htherecipetab.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 "The Recipe Tab".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the htherecipetab.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 "The Recipe 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 "The Recipe Tab", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.htherecipetab.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 "htherecipetab.com", 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 htherecipetab.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 "The Recipe Tab", 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 "The Recipe Tab", remove hxxp://htherecipetab.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 htherecipetab.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 htherecipetab.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.
Post a comment:
If you have additional information on htherecipetab.com redirect or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
▼ Show Discussion