Removal instructions for the World Clock Tab browser hijacker

What is World Clock Tab?

After inspecting the World Clock Tab browser extension, we determined that it is a browser hijacker. This piece of software modifies browser settings to promote (through redirects) the worldclocktab.com fake search engine. It is likely that the World Clock Tab extension also spies on users' browsing activity.

World Clock Tab browser hijacker overview

On our test machine, World Clock Tab changed the browser's homepage, default search engine, and new tab/window URLs to the worldclocktab.com website. Hence, when we opened a new browser tab/window or entered a search query into the URL bar – it resulted in a redirect to worldclocktab.com.

Illegitimate search engines are usually incapable of providing search results, so they redirect to genuine ones. This also applies to worldclocktab.com, and it redirected to the Bing search engine (bing.com) at the time of research. It is pertinent to mention that where a redirect lands may vary based on factors like user geolocation.

Additionally, browser-hijacking software may restrict access to removal-related settings and/or undo user-made changes – thus ensuring its persistence.

Furthermore, most browser hijackers have data-tracking functionalities, and this may be true of World Clock Tab. Targeted information may include: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so on. The collected information can be shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

In summary, the presence of software like World Clock Tab on devices can lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	World Clock Tab
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	World Clock Tab
Promoted URL	worldclocktab.com
Detection Names (worldclocktab.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (worldclocktab.com)	172.67.187.16
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).
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

Games Day, Nautica, and Search-News Default Search are just a few examples of browser hijackers we have analyzed recently.

Browser-hijacking software usually appears legitimate and harmless. Users are lured into download/installation with promises of "handy" features, which seldom operate as advertised, and in most cases – do not work at all. Keep in mind that operational functionalities are not proof of a software's legitimacy or safety.

How did World Clock Tab install on my computer?

Browser hijackers can have "official" promotional webpages, and they are pushed through scam sites. Most users access such pages via redirects caused by websites that use rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, intrusive ads, spam browser notifications, or installed adware.

Browsing-hijacking software can also be bundled (packed together) with regular programs. Downloading from suspect sources (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushing through installation processes (e.g., skipping steps, using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.) – increase the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the system.

Additionally, intrusive advertisements are used to distribute browser hijackers. Once clicked on, some of the adverts can execute scripts to perform stealthy downloads/installations.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We highly recommend researching software and downloading only from official/verified channels. Installation must be treated with caution, e.g., reading terms, studying possible options, using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opting out of supplementary apps, extensions, tools, etc.

Another recommendation is to exercise caution when browsing since fraudulent and malicious content usually appears legitimate and innocuous. For example, intrusive ads may look harmless, yet they redirect to unreliable/questionable websites (e.g., gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc.).

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

Permissions asked by World Clock Tab browser hijacker:

Appearance of worldclocktab.com redirecting to the Bing search engine (GIF):

Deceptive website used to promote World Clock 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:
▼ 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 World Clock Tab?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove World Clock Tab browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove worldclocktab.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove worldclocktab.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

World Clock 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, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

World Clock Tab browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove World Clock 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 "World Clock Tab" 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 "World Clock Tab", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.worldclocktab.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 "worldclocktab.com", 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 worldclocktab.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 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 "World Clock Tab", 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 "World Clock Tab", remove hxxp://worldclocktab.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 "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 worldclocktab.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 worldclocktab.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 worldclocktab.com website?

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

Is visiting worldclocktab.com a threat to my privacy?

To a certain extent, yes. Websites like worldclocktab.com typically collect visitor data with the intent of selling it to third-parties.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

The most commonly used distribution methods include: bundled installation setups, deceptive promotional webpages, freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, online scams, spam browser notifications, and intrusive ads.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove World Clock Tab browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate detected browser-hijacking applications. Keep in mind that manual removal (unaided by security software) might not be ideal, especially in cases where multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system. Since after one is removed – the others may reinstall it. What is more, removal-related settings might be inaccessible with browser-hijacking software present. Therefore, it is essential to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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