How to remove the Abstract Art Tab browser hijacker

What is Abstract Art Tab?

Our research team discovered the Abstract Art Tab browser extension while checking out rogue websites. This extension promises to display abstract art style browser wallpapers.

After analyzing Abstract Art Tab, we determined that it is a browser hijacker. This piece of software makes alterations to browser settings in order to promote (through redirects) the find.asrcnav.com fake search engine.

Abstract Art Tab browser hijacker overview

Browser-hijacking software reassigns browsers' default search engines, homepages, and new browser tab/window URLs to the addresses of endorsed websites. Abstract Art Tab modifies browsers in this manner and changes these settings to find.asrcnav.com.

Therefore, with this extension installed: new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries typed into the URL bar – result in redirects to the find.asrcnav.com site.

Illegitimate search engines are usually incapable of providing search results, so they redirect to genuine Internet search websites. At the time of research, find.asrcnav.com redirected to the Bing search engine (bing.com). Note that this website might land elsewhere since factors like user geolocation may impact redirects.

Most browser hijackers use persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent browser recovery, and Abstract Art Tab is not an exception to this.

Furthermore, this browser extension likely gathers private information. Targeted data may include: URLs visited, webpages viewed, search queries typed, IP addresses, Internet cookies, log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, credit card numbers, and so on. The collected information can then be shared with or sold to third-parties.

To summarize, the presence of software like Abstract Art Tab on devices may result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Abstract Art Tab
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Abstract Art Tab
Supposed Functionality	Abstract art browser wallpapers
Promoted URL	find.asrcnav.com
Detection Names (find.asrcnav.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (find.asrcnav.com)	108.159.227.24
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).
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

Interiorz, oWebster Search, and Active Land are merely a few examples of browser hijackers we have analyzed recently.

Browser-hijacking software typically appears legitimate and innocuous. Users are enticed into download/installation with promises of various useful functionalities. However, these features seldom work as advertised, and in most cases – they are utterly nonoperational.

It must be stressed that even if an extension or an app works as indicated by its promotional material – that is not definitive proof of legitimacy or safety.

How did Abstract Art Tab install on my computer?

We obtained Abstract Art Tab from its "official" promotional page. In addition to such webpages, browser hijackers are commonly endorsed by scam sites. Users primarily access such pages via redirects generated by websites that use rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive adverts, or installed adware.

Furthermore, browser-hijacking software is proliferated by intrusive advertisements. When clicked on, some of the ads can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.

"Bundling" – packing ordinary program installation setups with unwanted/malicious additions – is also used to distribute browser hijackers. Download from untrustworthy sources (e.g., freeware and third-party sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations (e.g., used "Quick/Express" settings, etc.) – increase the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the device.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We strongly recommend researching software and downloading it from official/verified channels. Installation must be treated with care, e.g., by reading terms, inspecting available options, using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opting out of all supplementary apps, extensions, tools, etc.

Another recommendation is to be cautious while browsing since fake and malicious content usually appears legitimate. For example, intrusive advertisements may look harmless – yet redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., pornography, adult dating, gambling, etc.).

Should you keep experiencing such adverts/redirects, check the device and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Abstract Art Tab, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Permissions asked by Abstract Art Tab browser hijacker:

Website promoting Abstract Art Tab browser hijacker:

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

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▼ 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 Abstract Art Tab?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Abstract Art Tab browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove find.asrcnav.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove find.asrcnav.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Abstract Art 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.

Abstract Art 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 "Abstract Art 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 "Abstract Art Tab", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.find.asrcnav.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 "find.asrcnav.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 find.asrcnav.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 "Abstract Art 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 "Abstract Art Tab", remove hxxp://find.asrcnav.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 find.asrcnav.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 find.asrcnav.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 find.asrcnav.com website?

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

Is visiting find.asrcnav.com a threat to my privacy?

Most likely, yes. Sites like find.asrcnav.com typically gather (and sell) data relating to their visitors.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are mainly proliferated via bundled installers, dubious download channels (e.g., freeware and third-party websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.), online scams, spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Abstract Art Tab browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate detected browser-hijacking apps. Keep in mind that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might be ineffective, particularly when multiple browser hijackers are present. In these instances, after one browser hijacker is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. What is more, removal-related settings might be unmodifiable with this software installed. Therefore, it is paramount to remove browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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