How to eliminate the ProTabs New Tab browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is ProTabs New Tab?
We have tested the ProTabs New Tab application/browser extension and found that it operates as a browser hijacker. It changes the settings of a web browser and does not allow to modify them. The purpose of changes that ProTabs New Tab makes in settings is to promote a fake search engine, the protabs.xyz address.
ProTabs New Tab in detail
Our team has learned that ProTabs New Tab changes the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page to protabs.xyz. After testing protabs.xyz, we have discovered that it is a fake search engine that shows results generated by Bing (it redirects to bing.com).
Bing.com is a legitimate search engine, but using fake search engines can lead to other unwanted redirects. They can promote untrustworthy websites and generate results by untrustworthy search engines. Thus, it is highly advisable not to browse the Internet using fake search engines.
| Name | ProTabs New Tab |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | ProTabs New Tab |
| Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
| Promoted URL | protabs.xyz |
| Detection Names (protabs.xyz) | Avast (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. |
More about browser hijackers
Another reason not to trust apps like ProTabs New Tab and fake search engines is that they can operate as data collectors. They can gather information related to browsing activities and even persona data. Examples of other apps of this type examined by us are Rain Tab, Keep It Secure, Apollo Tab.
How did a browser hijacker install on my computer or browser?
There are browser hijackers that have official download sites. However, a big part of them is distributed using deceptive websites and advertisements. Also, they often can be found in downloaders and installers as optional downloads and installations. This distribution method is known as bundling.
Browser hijackers bundled with other software can be deselected before downloading or installing that software. It can be achieved by changing "Custom", "Advanced", or similar settings. Browsers get hijacked when installations are finished without deselecting browser hijackers.
How to avoid installation of unwanted applications?
Download applications from official websites and platforms. Do not trust apps downloaded from shady websites, P2P networks, third-party downloaders, and similar sources. Deselect apps bundled with other software before finishing downloads and installations. Do not click ads appearing on shady pages or allow such sites to show notifications.
If your computer is already infected with ProTabs New Tab, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Protabs.xyz redirects to bing.com (GIF):
Browser notification containing information about ProTabs New Tab browser hijacker:
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:
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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 ProTabs New Tab?
- STEP 1. Uninstall ProTabs New Tab application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove ProTabs New Tab browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove protabs.xyz homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove protabs.xyz redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
ProTabs New 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, "ProTabs New Tab"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the protabs.xyz website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
ProTabs New Tab browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
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 "ProTabs New 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 "ProTabs New Tab", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.protabs.xyz) 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 "protabs.xyz", 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 protabs.xyz 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 "ProTabs New 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 "ProTabs New Tab", remove hxxp://protabs.xyz 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 protabs.xyz 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 protabs.xyz 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 protabs.xyz website?
More website visits mean more revenue for the creators of the site. The amount of revenue generated via protabs.xyz is directly dependent on the count of visitors.
Is visiting protabs.xyz a threat to my privacy?
Fake search engines can be designed to collect data about users. Thus, they can be a threat to privacy.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
A big part of browser hijackers is distributed using questionable methods. For example, social engineering tactics, such as browser notifications, intrusive advertisements. Also, they often are bundled with other software.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove ProTabs New Tab browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will remove this browser hijacker from a browser. When there are multiple browser-hijacking applications, they have to be removed at once to prevent them from reinstalling one another. Since it can be difficult to remove multiple browser hijackers manually, it is recommended to remove them with an app like Combo Cleaner.
Outstanding!
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