How to remove Cosmica browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is Cosmica?
We have examined the Cosmica application and discovered that it operates as a browser hijacker. Once added, Cosmica changes some of the settings of a web browser to search.cosmica-tab.com - a fake search engine. Neither Cosmica nor search.cosmica-tab.com is trustworthy.
Cosmica browser hijacker overview
Once added to a web browser, Cosmica modifies the web browser's settings, particularly the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page, and replaces them with a fake search (search.cosmica-tab.com). Whenever users perform a search using this fake search engine, they are redirected to bing.com (presented with search results from Bing).
Although it may appear to be a harmless app, Cosmica can pose significant risks to users' online security and privacy. Cosmica may be designed to collect and transmit users' browsing data to remote servers without their knowledge or consent. It may include information such as search queries, browsing history, and even personally identifiable information.
This data can be used for various purposes, including targeted advertising, identity theft, and other malicious activities. Thus, it is highly advisable to remove Cosmica and use reputable search engines like Google, Yahoo, or others.
| Name | Cosmica |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Cosmica |
| Supposed Functionality | Super fast and efficient browser |
| Promoted URL | search.cosmica-tab.com |
| Detection Names | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address | 54.68.145.24 |
| 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 Cosmica
Removing Cosmica from a device can be a challenging task, as the program may be designed to resist uninstallation and removal. In some cases, it may be necessary to employ specialized anti-malware software to fully remove the app from the device. However, there are several steps that users can take to attempt to remove Cosmica manually (see our removal guide below).
Examples of apps similar to Cosmica are Life Hacks, Sports Robot, and World Clock.
How did Cosmica install on my computer?
Users can add browser hijackers to their browsers by inadvertently downloading and installing them alongside other software. For example, browser hijackers may be bundled with free software, such as file-sharing or video-streaming applications, and installed without the user's knowledge or consent.
Additionally, users may be directed to malicious websites or click on suspicious links, which can trigger a download and installation of a browser hijacker.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
To avoid browser hijackers, users should be cautious when downloading and installing software from the Internet, particularly if it is from an unknown or untrusted source. It is also important to read installation prompts and decline any offers to install additional software or change browser settings.
Additionally, users should regularly scan their devices for malware and keep their operating systems and applications up-to-date with the latest security patches. Finally, users should exercise caution when browsing the Internet and avoid clicking on suspicious links and ads or visiting malicious websites.
If your computer is already infected with Cosmica, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Search.cosmica-tab.com redirects to bing.com (GIF):
Permissions asked by Cosmica browser hijacker:
Website promoting Cosmica browser hijacker:
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is Cosmica?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Cosmica application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Cosmica browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove search.cosmica-tab.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove search.cosmica-tab.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Cosmica 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 (which cause browser redirects to the search.cosmica-tab.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Cosmica 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 "Cosmica" 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 "Cosmica", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.cosmica-tab.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.cosmica-tab.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 search.cosmica-tab.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 "Cosmica", 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 "Cosmica", remove hxxp://search.cosmica-tab.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 search.cosmica-tab.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.cosmica-tab.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 visit search.cosmica-tab.com website?
Browser hijackers force users to use fake search engines like search.cosmica-tab.com to boost traffic, which generates income for the creators.
Is visiting search.cosmica-tab.com a threat to my privacy?
Your privacy may be at risk if you visit sites such as search.cosmica-tab.com, as these types of search engines typically gather diverse information about their visitors.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers can infiltrate systems through various means. One approach is via software bundles, wherein the hijacker is bundled with other software that the user downloads and installs. They can also be camouflaged as genuine browser extensions or add-ons and can be acquired from app stores or websites. Also, malicious ads and pop-ups can serve as sources of browser hijackers.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Cosmica browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner is a program that can detect and eliminate browser hijackers from your computer. In instances where there are multiple hijackers present, manual removal may not be adequate, as they may reinstall one another. Therefore, it is imperative to remove all of them concurrently, which Combo Cleaner can do.
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