How to remove Architecture Tab browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is Architecture Tab?
Upon analysis of the Architecture Tab browser extension, our team has determined that it operates as a browser hijacker by altering browser settings to promote a fake search engine called srchingoz.com. It is important to note that users typically add browser hijackers such as Architecture Tab to their browsers unintentionally.
Architecture Tab browser hijacker overview
Architecture Tab alters browser settings, such as the homepage, new tab page, and default search engine, to force users to visit and use srchingoz.com. This fake search engine presents search results from Bing. It is worth noting that although Bing is a legitimate search engine, it does not make srchingoz.com trustworthy.
Using unreliable and fake search engines may put users' security and privacy at risk as they may display fraudulent or malicious content and collect users' search queries, browsing history, and possibly other information, which can be misused in various ways.
Moreover, browser hijackers such as Architecture Tab can prevent users from modifying the affected browser settings, making it difficult or impossible for users to revert to previous settings unless they remove these applications. Our removal guide is provided below the article.
| Name | Architecture Tab |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Architecture Tab |
| Supposed Functionality | Access to unique and interesting feats of architecture from across the world. |
| Promoted URL | srchingoz.com |
| Detection Names (srchingoz.com) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (srchingoz.com) | 108.159.227.23 |
| 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 hijackers in general
The primary goal of browser hijackers is to generate revenue for their creators by promoting fake search engines or displaying ads. These fake search engines may appear legitimate, but they often display ads and search results that are irrelevant or even malicious. The ads displayed by browser hijackers may also lead to other unwanted software or malicious websites.
Examples of browser-hijacking apps are Abstract Art Tab, Search New Tab, and Active Land.
How did Architecture Tab install on my computer?
Browser hijackers are typically spread through software bundles, where the hijacker is bundled together with other free software. When the user installs the free software, the hijacker is also installed without their knowledge or consent.
Browser hijackers can also be distributed through malicious ads, notifications from unreliable pages, deceptive sites, or as part of spam email campaigns.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Be cautious when downloading and installing software from the Internet. Only download programs from trusted sources (e.g., official pages and legitimate stores). Always read the terms and conditions before installing. Do not trust apps with few or no reviews.
Pay attention to the installation process. Many browser hijackers are bundled with free software, and you may inadvertently install them if you do not carefully read and decline additional offers (using the provided settings/options) during the installation. Also, do not trust ads on questionable websites or agree to receive notifications from such pages.
If your computer is already infected with Architecture Tab, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Srchingoz.com redirects to bing.com (GIF):
Permissions asked by Architecture Tab browser hijacker:
Website promoting Architecture 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:
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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 Architecture Tab?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Architecture Tab application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Architecture Tab browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove srchingoz.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove srchingoz.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Architecture 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 (which cause browser redirects to the srchingoz.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Architecture 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 "Architecture 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 "Architecture Tab", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.srchingoz.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 "srchingoz.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 srchingoz.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 "Architecture 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 "Architecture Tab", remove hxxp://srchingoz.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 srchingoz.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 srchingoz.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 srchingoz.com website?
The objective behind forcing users to utilize a fake search engine is commonly to create revenue for the developers of the browser hijacker or the fake search engine.
Is visiting srchingoz.com a threat to my privacy?
If you visit/use srchingoz.com, your privacy may be compromised. Fake search engines have the ability to gather search queries, browsing history, and personal information, which can be utilized to monitor your online activities, show personalized advertisements, or even distribute your data to third parties.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are commonly spread using social engineering tactics, such as intrusive ads and browser notifications. They may also be distributed as bundled software in software downloaders and installers.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Architecture Tab browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner is an effective tool for removing browser hijackers. Manual removal may not be successful when dealing with multiple hijackers, as they can reinstall each other and block removal settings. Therefore, removing all hijackers at once may be necessary to guarantee complete elimination.
Outstanding!
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