How to remove MyZen Tab browser-hijacking extension and the redirects it causes

What is MyZen Tab?

MyZen Tab is a browser extension that our researchers discovered while inspecting dubious download webpages. In vague terms, MyZen Tab's promotional material describes it as a new browser tab customization tool. After analyzing this piece of software, we determined that it operates as a browser hijacker. This extension modifies browser settings and promotes the search.myzentab.com fake search engine.

MyZen Tab browser hijacker overview

Following successful installation onto our test system, MyZen Tab assigned search.myzentab.com as the browser's default search engine, homepage, and new tab/window URLs.

These changes allowed this software to cause redirects to search.myzentab.com every time a new browser tab/window was opened or a search query was typed into the URL bar. Furthermore, we noted that this browser hijacker uses persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent browser recovery.

Illegitimate search engines usually redirect to genuine ones, as they cannot provide search results. Search.myzentab.com is not an exception; we have observed it redirecting to the Google search engine (google.com). However, it might land elsewhere since redirects can be determined by certain factors (e.g., user geolocation, etc.).

What is more, MyZen Tab has data tracking functionalities. Browser-hijacking software typically collects visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, personally identifiable details, usernames/passwords, credit card numbers, etc. The gathered data is then monetized by being shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

In summary, the presence of software like MyZen Tab on devices - can result in serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	MyZen Tab
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	MyZen Tab
Supposed Functionality	New browser tab customization
Promoted URL	search.myzentab.com
Detection Names (search.myzentab.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. ▼ 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.

Browser hijacker examples

SearchTab Default Search, History-Cleaner, and UltraADSBlockSearch are just a few examples of the browser hijackers we have analyzed. They tend to appear legitimate and offer "handy" features. However, these functions seldom work as advertised, and in most cases - they are utterly nonoperational.

How did MyZen Tab install on my computer?

We acquired MyZen Tab from its "official" download webpage. Browser hijackers often have such pages, even multiples. These sites are usually accessed via mistyped URLs or redirects caused by spam browser notifications, intrusive adverts, websites using rogue advertising networks, or installed adware.

Browser-hijacking software can also be bundled (packed together) with ordinary programs. Download from untrustworthy sources (e.g., unofficial and freeware download sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations - increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.

Additionally, some intrusive advertisements can be triggered (by being clicked) to download/install browser hijackers without user consent.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

Caution and vigilance are key to device/user safety. Therefore, we recommend downloading only from official and verified channels. Additionally, when installing - it is important to read terms, study available options, and use the "Custom/Advanced" settings to opt-out of all supplements.

Fraudulent and malicious online content tends to look legitimate - hence, it is crucial to be vigilant when browsing. For example, intrusive adverts appear harmless yet redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).

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

Permissions asked by MyZen Tab browser hijacker:

Websites promoting MyZen Tab browser hijacker:

Appearance of search.myzentab.com redirecting to the Google search engine (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 MyZen Tab?
• STEP 1. Uninstall MyZen Tab application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove MyZen Tab browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove search.myzentab.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove search.myzentab.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

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

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the search.myzentab.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

MyZen Tab browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove MyZen Tab 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 "MyZen 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 "MyZen Tab", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.myzentab.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 "search.myzentab.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 search.myzentab.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 "MyZen 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 "MyZen Tab", remove hxxp://search.myzentab.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 search.myzentab.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 search.myzentab.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 to visit search.myzentab.com website?

Cyber criminals (i.e., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers) generate revenue through such redirects.

Is visiting search.myzentab.com a threat to my privacy?

Most likely, yes - since sites like search.myzentab.com usually collect (and sell) information about their visitors.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are mainly spread through deceptive promotional webpages, online scams, freeware and third-party download websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, software bundling, fake updates, spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove MyZen Tab browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan systems and eliminate the browser-hijacking apps present. It is noteworthy that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might not be ideal when multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system. In some instances, after one browser hijacker is eliminated - the others simply re-install it. Furthermore, removal-related settings may be inaccessible with this software installed. Therefore, browser hijackers must be removed thoroughly and all at once.

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