How to remove Movieztab Default Search browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of application is Movieztab Default Search?
We have discovered the Movieztab Default Search browser extension while examining questionable websites. After adding this app, we have noticed that it changed some of the settings to movieztab.com - a fake search engine. This led us to the conclusion that Movieztab Default Search is a browser hijacker.
Movieztab Default Search in detail
Movieztab Default Search promotes movieztab.com by setting it as the homepage, default search engine, and new tab page. We have tested movieztab.com and seen that it shows results generated by Bing (it redirects to bing.com). It is also likely that movieztab.com can show misleading results and (or) results generated by untrustworthy search engines.
Pretty often, browser hijackers prevent users from removing fake search engines from the settings of hijacked browsers. They force users to use fake search engines as long as they are present. A removal guide for browser hijackers and fake search engines is provided below.
| Name | Movieztab Default Search |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Movieztab Default Search |
| Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
| Promoted URL | movieztab.com |
| Detection Names (movieztab.com) | N/A (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. |
Browser hijackers in general
Another reason not to have any browser hijacker added to a browser is that it can be designed to gather information about its user. Usually, browser-hijacking apps collect browsing data. However, some of them may gather sensitive information. Examples of other browser hijackers are Film Links Now | Digital Content Online, send dark, ConvertersCoolSearch.
How did Movieztab Default Search install on my computer?
Most browser hijackers are distributed using deceptive techniques. Users end up having browsers hijacked after clicking shady ads, using installers downloaded from untrustworthy pages, or installing software without changing certain settings.
Downloaders and installers used to distribute browser-hijacking apps have "Custom", "Advanced", or similar settings. Users add browser hijackers when they install software without changing those settings (without deselecting unwanted apps).
How to avoid installation of unwanted applications?
Download applications from official websites and use direct links. Do not use unofficial pages, third-party downloaders, P2P networks, and similar sources to download files/apps. Do not click on fake buttons and ads displayed by dubious web pages. Deselect unwanted applications included in downloaders/installers before downloading/installing programs.
If your computer is already infected with Movieztab Default Search, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Movieztab.com redirects to bing.com (GIF):
Website promoting Movieztab Default Search browser hijacker:
Browser notification containing information about Movieztab Default Search app:
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 Movieztab Default Search?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Movieztab Default Search application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Movieztab Default Search browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove movieztab.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove movieztab.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Movieztab Default Search 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, "Movieztab Default Search"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the movieztab.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Movieztab Default Search browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove Movieztab Default Search browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:
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 "Movieztab Default Search" 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 "Movieztab Default Search", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.movieztab.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 "movieztab.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 movieztab.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 plugins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and remove "Movieztab Default Search", 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 "Movieztab Default Search", remove hxxp://movieztab.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 movieztab.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 movieztab.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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users visit movieztab.com website?
The revenue generated from movieztab.com depends on the count of page visitors. Thus, its creators seek to make that count as high as possible.
Is visiting movieztab.com a threat to my privacy?
It is common for pages like fake search engines and browser hijackers to be designed to gather various information about their users. Thus, using fake search engines can pose a threat to privacy.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
In most cases, apps of this type are distributed using browser notifications, intrusive advertisements, and other social engineering techniques. Also, they are distributed by bundling them with other programs.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Movieztab Default Search browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan the operating system and eliminate all detected browser-hijacking applications. It is worth mentioning that apps of this type can reinstall another (when two or more browser hijackers are present). It can be difficult to remove all of them at once manually. Thus, it is advisable to remove browser hijackers with specialized apps like Combo Cleaner.
Outstanding!
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