Removing the TabsMode browser hijacker and its redirects to tabsmode.xyz

What is TabsMode?

Our researchers discovered the TabsMode browser extension while investigating untrustworthy websites. After analyzing this rogue extension, we determined that it operates as a browser hijacker. TabsMode makes changes to browser settings in order to cause redirects to the tabsmode.xyz fake search engine. Additionally, this piece of software spies on users' browsing activity.

TabsMode browser hijacker overview

Browser-hijacking software assigns promoted website addresses as browsers' default search engine, homepage, and new tab/window URLs. This also applies to TabsMode as it modifies browser settings in this manner. Therefore, with TabsMode installed: Web searches performed with the URL bar and new browser tabs/windows opened - result in redirects to the tabsmode.xyz site.

Furthermore, this extension employs persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent browser recovery.

Illegitimate search engines typically redirect to genuine ones since they are incapable of providing search results. At the time of research, tabsmode.xyz redirected to the Google search engine. Note that it might land elsewhere, as redirects can depend on various factors like user geolocation.

What is more, TabsMode collects private information. Browser hijackers usually target the following data, e.g., visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, credit card numbers, etc. The gathered data can be monetized via sale to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

To summarize, the presence of software like TabsMode on devices can lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	TabsMode
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	TabsMode
Promoted URL	tabsmode.xyz
Detection Names (tabsmode.xyz)	Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (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. ▼ 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

We have analyzed thousands of browser hijackers; Rugby Start, Searchpoweronline.com, Smartbase, and Multi-searches.com are merely some examples.

Browser-hijacking software usually appears legitimate and harmless. It lures users into download/installation with promises of "handy" functionalities. However, these features rarely work as advertised, and in most cases - they do not work at all.

How did TabsMode install on my computer?

We acquired TabsMode from a dubious software-promoting webpage. Browser hijackers often have "official" download pages, and they are pushed through scam websites. Users access these webpages primarily via redirects caused by sites that use rogue advertising networks, misspelled URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive adverts, or installed adware.

Browser-hijacking software is also proliferated using the bundling marketing method - packing regular program installers with unwanted/malicious additions. Download from untrustworthy sources (e.g., unofficial and freeware sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations (e.g., ignored terms, used "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.) increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.

Intrusive advertisements spread browser hijackers as well. When clicked on, some of these adverts can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user permission.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We highly recommend researching software and downloading only from official/verified channels. Installation processes must be approached with caution, e.g., by reading terms, studying possible options, using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opting-out of all additions.

We also advise being cautious when browsing since fraudulent and malicious content usually appears legitimate. For example, intrusive advertisements look harmless yet redirect to unreliable/questionable sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).

In case of encounters with such advertisements/redirects, check the system and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with TabsMode, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Permissions asked by TabsMode browser hijacker:

Website promoting TabsMode browser hijacker:

Appearance of tabsmode.xyz 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 TabsMode?
• STEP 1. Uninstall TabsMode application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove TabsMode browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove tabsmode.xyz homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove tabsmode.xyz redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

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

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

TabsMode 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 "TabsMode" and other 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), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "TabsMode", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.tabsmode.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 "tabsmode.xyz", 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.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the tabsmode.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 extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate "TabsMode", as well as 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 "TabsMode", remove hxxp://tabsmode.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 "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.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with tabsmode.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 tabsmode.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.

Post a comment:
If you have additional information on tabsmode.xyz redirect or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users to visit tabsmode.xyz website?

Redirects to websites like tabsmode.xyz are caused because cyber criminals (i.e., developers of browser hijackers and fake search engines) generate revenue through them.

Is visiting tabsmode.xyz a threat to my privacy?

Most likely, yes. Sites like tabsmode.xyz typically collect information about their visitors.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are primarily distributed via bundled program installers, untrustworthy download channels (e.g., unofficial and freeware sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.), online scams, fake updates, spam browser notifications, and intrusive ads.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove TabsMode browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate installed browser-hijacking apps. It is noteworthy that manual removal (performed without the aid of security software) might not be a perfect solution. Especially in cases when multiple browser hijackers are present, since after one is removed - the others may simply re-install it. Furthermore, removal-related settings might be unmodifiable with browser-hijacking software installed. Hence, it is paramount to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

▼ Show Discussion