How to remove the Auratab browser hijacker

What is Auratab?

Auratab is a browser hijacker endorsed as a tool supposedly capable of improving the browsing experience. In fact, it makes changes to browser settings to promote search.aura-search.net (a fake search engine). Most browser hijackers monitor users' browsing activity and this is likely to be the case with Auratab.

Typically, users install browser hijackers inadvertently and, due to this, they are also classified as Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs).

Browser hijackers mainly target Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and other popular browsers. This rogue software operates by reassigning the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs to the addresses of fake search engines.

Therefore, with Auratab installed, each new browser tab/window opened and web search made via the URL bar redirects to search.aura-search.net. Fake search engines have no real value, as they are typically unable to provide unique results - they tend to redirect to (or cause redirection chains ending with) legitimate search engines.

The search.aura-search.net web searcher is no exception to this, and simply redirects to the Google (google.com) search engine.

Furthermore, recovering a hijacked browser is impossible without eliminating the software affecting it, since browser hijackers can undo any changes users attempt to make to their browsers and/or restrict/deny access to the browser settings outright. As mentioned, most browser hijackers can track data.

They record browsing activity (visited URLs, viewed web pages, searched queries, etc.) and collect sensitive data extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). The gathered data usually contains personally identifiable information that developers share with and sell to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

To summarize, the presence of data-tracking software on devices can lead to serious privacy issues, financial loss and even identity theft. To protect browser/system integrity and user safety, you are strongly advised to remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins without delay.

Threat Summary:

Name	Auratab
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab.
Browser Extension(s)	Auratab, Auratab Search
Supposed Functionality	Improved browsing experience.
Promoted URL	search.aura-search.net
Serving IP Address (search.aura-search.net)	34.214.33.76
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.

EasyWebPagePrint, ConvertSearch, SearchThatMovie and StreamsBros are some examples of other browser hijackers. They may seem legitimate and often entice users into download/installation with offers of "useful" features. Despite how good the advertised functions may sound, they are rarely operational.

In fact, this is true of most PUAs. The sole purpose of these unwanted apps is to generate profit at users' expense. Rather than delivering any real value, PUAs can modify browsers, cause redirects, run intrusive advertisement campaigns, and collect private information.

How did Auratab install on my computer?

Certain PUAs (including Auratab) have "official" promotional web pages from which they can be obtained. These applications can also be downloaded/installed with other programs. This deceptive marketing tactic of pre-packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions is termed "bundling".

Rushing download/installation processes (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps and sections, etc.) increases the risk of inadvertent installation of dubious and/or bundled content. Intrusive ads proliferate PUAs as well. When clicked, they can execute scripts to make stealthy downloads/installations.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are strongly advised to research all software prior to download/installation and/or purchase. Use only official and verified download channels. Unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders can offer bundled content and are thus untrusted.

When downloading/installing, it is important to read the terms, explore all available options, use the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings and opt-out of additional apps, tools, features, etc. Intrusive ads typically seem normal and innocuous, however, they can redirect to dubious websites (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and so on).

If you encounter ads or redirects of this kind, inspect the system and remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately. If your computer is already infected with Auratab, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Alternative appearance of the Auratab homepage:

Auratab browser hijacker asking for various permissions:

Website promoting Auratab browser hijacker:

Appearance of the Auratab browser hijacker promoting search.aura-search.net (GIF):

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

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

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

Auratab 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://search.aura-search.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 "Auratab".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the search.aura-search.net 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 "Auratab" 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 "Auratab" (or "Auratab Search"), look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.aura-search.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 look for "search.aura-search.net", 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 search.aura-search.net 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 "Auratab", 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 "Auratab", remove hxxp://search.aura-search.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: "extensionControlled"
Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the button.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with search.aura-search.net 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 search.aura-search.net 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 search.aura-search.net redirect or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

▼ Show Discussion