Removal instructions for the Monochrome Tab browser-hijacking extension
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is Monochrome Tab?
Our researcher discovered the Monochrome Tab browser extension while inspecting dubious download pages. This piece of software is advertised vaguely as a "work optimization" and "productivity maximizing" tool for browsers - without any specific features listed.
Instead, this extension hijacks browsers, modifies their settings, promotes the search.monochrometab.com illegitimate search engine, and spies on users' browsing activity. This behavior classifies Monochrome Tab as a browser hijacker.
Monochrome Tab browser hijacker overview
After being installed onto our test system, Monochrome Tab assigned search.monochrometab.com as the browser's default search engine, homepage, and new tab/window URLs. These alterations are intended to cause redirects to search.monochrometab.com every time the user opens a new browser tab/window or searches the Web via the URL bar.
Fake search engines typically cannot provide search results and redirect to legitimate ones. We observed that search.monochrometab.com redirects to the Google search engine (google.com). However, it might land elsewhere since redirects can be determined by various factors, such as user geolocation.
Furthermore, Monochrome Tab uses persistence-ensuring techniques. Browser hijackers often prevent access to browser settings and/or undo user-made changes.
What is more, this browser extension has data tracking abilities. Browser-hijacking software can target: browsing and search engine histories, personally identifiable details, usernames/passwords, credit card numbers, etc. The developers of this software monetize the collected information by selling it to third-parties.
In summary, the presence of Monochrome Tab on a device can lead to severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Monochrome Tab |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Monochrome Tab |
| Promoted URL | search.monochrometab.com |
| Detection Names (search.monochrometab.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 hijacker examples
We have analyzed thousands of browser hijackers; Rain Tab, Keep It Secure, Tail DS, MyZen Tab, and SearchTab Default are merely some examples. This software appears legitimate and offers "handy" functionalities, which are rarely operational. Therefore, not only are browser hijackers useless, but they also endanger device/user safety.
How did Monochrome Tab install on my computer?
We obtained Monochrome Tab from its "official" promotional webpage. Users seldom enter such sites intentionally. Most access them via redirects caused by websites using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, installed adware, or mistyped URLs.
Browser hijackers can also be bundled (packed) together with ordinary programs. Download from dubious sources (e.g., freeware and third-party sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations (e.g., skipped steps, used "Easy/Quick" options, etc.) - increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.
Intrusive adverts proliferate browser-hijacking software as well. Once clicked on, the ads can execute scripts to make stealthy downloads/installations.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
We highly recommend researching software and downloading only from official/trustworthy channels. Furthermore, installation processes must be approached with caution, which includes - reading terms, studying possible options, and using the "Custom/Advanced" settings to opt-out of all additions.
We also advise being vigilant when browsing - since fraudulent and malicious content tends to look legitimate. For example, intrusive adverts appear harmless, yet they redirect to questionable/harmful websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).
If you experience such advertisements/redirects, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Monochrome Tab, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Permissions asked by Monochrome Tab browser hijacker:
Website promoting Monochrome Tab browser hijacker:
Appearance of search.monochrometab.com redirecting to the Google search engine (GIF):
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is Monochrome Tab?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Monochrome Tab application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Monochrome Tab browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove search.monochrometab.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove search.monochrometab.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Monochrome 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, "Monochrome Tab"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the search.monochrometab.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Monochrome 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 "Monochrome 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 "Monochrome Tab", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.monochrometab.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.monochrometab.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.monochrometab.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 "Monochrome 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 "Monochrome Tab", remove hxxp://search.monochrometab.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.monochrometab.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.monochrometab.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.
Post a comment:
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users to visit search.monochrometab.com website?
You are forced to visit search.monochrometab.com since through the redirects caused by browser hijackers - their developers generate revenue.
Is visiting search.monochrometab.com a threat to my privacy?
Most likely, yes. Sites of this kind usually collect and sell information about their visitors.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are mainly spread via misleading promotional webpages, freeware and third-party download websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, software bundling, online scams, fake updates, spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Monochrome Tab browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan devices and eliminate installed browser-hijacking applications. It is noteworthy that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might be a perfect solution when multiple browser hijackers are present. In some cases, when one browser hijacker is removed - the others simply re-install it. Additionally, removal-related settings might be inaccessible with browser-hijacking software installed. Therefore, it is paramount to remove browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.
Outstanding!
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