How to stop unwanted redirects to tabsearch.net?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is tabsearch.net?
Tabsearch.net is a fake search engine. It is promoted through a browser hijacker called Tab Search Start Page. A browser hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA) that changes the web browser's settings to promote a particular address. Most users download and install apps of this type unintentionally.
Tabsearch.net fake search engine in detail
Tabsearch.net shows results generated by Yahoo (it redirects users to search.yahoo.com). It is important to know that fake search engines can show results generated by questionable search engines and (or) include links to untrustworthy pages in their search results. Either way, it is not safe to use such search engines.
Browser hijackers promote fake search engines by changing the homepage, default search engine, and new tab URL. These settings cannot be modified until a browser hijacker is eliminated. Therefore, tabsearch.net cannot be removed from settings as long as Tab Search Start Page is present.
| Name | tabsearch.net browser hijacker |
| Threat Type | Browser hijacker, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | ADMINUSLabs (Malicious), Fortinet (Malware), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address | 149.210.167.14 |
| Promoting Browser Hijacker | Tab Search Start Page |
| Symptoms | Your Mac became slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you get redirected to shady websites. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers, torrent file downloads. |
| Damage | Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites, loss of private information. |
| Malware Removal (Mac) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Fake search engines in general
Most fake search engines generate misleading results or show results generated by other (legitimate or untrustworthy) search engines. A couple of examples of other fake search engines are search.gg08m.com, fireseerch.com, and searchmarquis.com. Instructions on how to eliminate browser hijackers and fake search engines are provided below.
How did tabsearch.net install on my computer?
Browser hijackers are distributed through fake installers, certain advertisements, and downloaders, installers for other programs. Users download or install unwanted apps through ads by clicking on ads designed to run certain scripts. Downloaders or installers used to distribute PUAs have settings that can be used to decline unwanted offers.
Users download or install browser hijackers (or other unwanted apps) when they download or install programs without changing "Custom", "Advanced", or other settings available in their downloaders or installers.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Downloaders and installers with ticked checkboxes or settings like "Manual", "Custom" and "Advanced" should be checked for optional downloads or installations. Software (and files) should be downloaded only from official websites and through direct links. Also, it is recommended not click advertisements that appear on various questionable sites.
If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.
Tabsearch.net redirects to search.yahoo.com (GIF):
Tab Search Start Page installed on Chrome:
Default search engine changed to tabsearch.net:
New tab URL changed to tabsearch.net:
Browser notification notifying about what Tab Search Start Page app can do:
Instant automatic Mac 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 Mac malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner for Mac
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. Limited seven 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 tabsearch.net?
- STEP 1. Remove tabsearch.net related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove tabsearch.net redirect from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove tabsearch.net browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove tabsearch.net homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:
tabsearch.net redirect removal:
Remove tabsearch.net related potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:
Click the Finder icon. In the Finder window, select "Applications". In the applications folder, look for "MPlayerX", "NicePlayer", or other suspicious applications and drag them to the Trash. After removing the potentially unwanted application(s) that cause online ads, scan your Mac for any remaining unwanted components.
Remove browser hijacker-related files and folders
Click the Finder icon from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...
Check for browser hijacker generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/
In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by browser hijackers - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Browser hijacker commonly installs several files with the exact same string.
Check for browser hijacker generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/
In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.
Check for browser hijacker generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/
In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by browser hijackers - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Browser hijacker commonly installs several files with the exact same string.
Check for browser hijacker generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:
In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/
In the "LaunchDaemons" folder, look for recently-added suspicious files. For example "com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist", "com.myppes.net-preferences.plist", "com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist", "com.avickUpd.plist", etc., and move them to the Trash.
Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:
If you have followed all the steps correctly, your Mac should be clean of infections. To ensure your system is not infected, run a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus. Download it HERE. After downloading the file, double click combocleaner.dmg installer. In the opened window, drag and drop the Combo Cleaner icon on top of the Applications icon. Now open your launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon. Wait until Combo Cleaner updates its virus definition database and click the "Start Combo Scan" button.
Combo Cleaner will scan your Mac for malware infections. If the antivirus scan displays "no threats found" - this means that you can continue with the removal guide; otherwise, it's recommended to remove any found infections before continuing.
After removing files and folders generated by the browser hijackers, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.
Remove browser hijackers from Internet browsers
Remove Safari browser hijackers:
Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".
In the preferences window, select "Extensions" and look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions. When located, click the "Uninstall" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Safari browser - none are crucial for regular browser operation.
Change your homepage:
In the "Preferences" window, select the "General" tab. To set your homepage, type the preferred website URL (for example: www.google.com) in the Homepage field. You can also click the "Set to Current Page" button if you wish to set your homepage to the website you are currently visiting.
Change your default search engine:
In the "Preferences" window, select the "Search" tab. Here you will find a drop-down menu labeled "Search engine:" Simply select your preferred search engine from the drop-down list.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.
Remove Google Chrome browser hijackers:
Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable the malicious extension (if present), look for a browser hijacker URL 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 a browser hijacker URL, when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window) and select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".
Change your homepage
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable malicious extension (if present), remove the browser hijacker URL 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 "Accept the Risk and Continue".
In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled". Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the 
button.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users visit tabsearch.net website?
Individuals behind pages like tabsearch.net profit from the website visits. They generate more revenue when this page is visited by a higher number of times.
Is visiting tabsearch.net a threat to my privacy?
To a certain extent, yes. Websites like tabsearch.net can be designed gather various information about their visitors.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are distributed using social engineering tactics, such as browser notifications, intrusive advertisements. Also, they can be distributed through fake installers, downloaders and installers for other programs.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove browser hijackers (including Tab Search Start Page)?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate existing browser hijackers and fake search engines. If there is more than one browser-hijacking application present, then manual removal might not be enough. Apps of this type can reinstall one another. Also, the affected browser settings cannot be modified while a browser hijacker is present. It means that all of them have to be removed at once.
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