Removing the Car Tab browser hijacker and the redirects it generates

What kind of software is Car Tab?

While investigating dubious websites, our researchers discovered the Car Tab browser extension. It is promoted as a tool that displays automobile-themed wallpapers. However, our analysis revealed that Car Tab is a browser hijacker. It changes browser settings and endorses (via redirects) the find.mmysearchup.com fake search engine.

Car Tab browser hijacker overview

Browser hijackers reassign browsers' homepages, default search engines, and new tab/window URLs to the addresses of promoted websites.

Car Tab modifies browsers in this manner as well. Hence, with it installed: Web searches performed via the URL bar and new browser tabs/windows opened – result in redirects to the find.mmysearchup.com site.

It is pertinent to mention that browser-hijacking software tends to use persistence-ensuring techniques, such as restricting access to removal-related settings or undoing user-made changes – to prevent browser recovery.

Fake search engines usually cannot generate search results, so they redirect to legitimate Internet search websites. This is also true of find.mmysearchup.com, and during our testing, it redirected to the Bing search engine (bing.com). However, it might land elsewhere since redirects may be impacted by factors like user geolocation.

Furthermore, Car Tab has data-tracking functionalities. Targeted information can include: URLs visited, webpages viewed, search queries typed, frequently visited website lists, IP addresses (geolocations), usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, etc. The collected information can then be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.

To summarize, the presence of browser-hijacking software like Car Tab on devices can lead to system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Car Tab
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Car Tab
Supposed Functionality	Car-themed browser wallpapers
Promoted URL	find.mmysearchup.com
Detection Names (find.mmysearchup.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (find.mmysearchup.com)	18.154.185.104
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

Post and Search, Galaxy Search, Currency Helper, and Cars – New Tab are merely some examples of browser hijackers we have investigated recently.

Browser-hijacking software usually appears legitimate and offers various "useful" features. However, these functionalities seldom work as promised, and in most cases – they do not work at all. Note that even if a piece of software operates as advertised – that is not a guarantee of either legitimacy or safety.

How did Car Tab install on my computer?

We acquired Car Tab from its "official" promotional webpage. In addition to such pages, browser hijackers are endorsed on deceptive sites. Most users enter these webpages via redirects generated by websites that employ rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware.

"Bundling" – packing regular program installers with unwanted/malicious additions – is used to proliferate browser-hijacking software as well. The risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from dubious sources (e.g., freeware and third-party sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and by rushing through installation processes (e.g., skipping steps and sections, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, etc.).

Intrusive advertisements are also used to spread browser hijackers. When clicked on, some of the adverts can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

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

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

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

Permissions asked by Car Tab browser hijacker:

Websites promoting Car Tab browser hijacker:

Appearance of find.mmysearchup.com redirecting to the Bing 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 Car Tab?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Car Tab browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove find.mmysearchup.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove find.mmysearchup.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Car 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.

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

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

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

To a certain extent, yes. Websites like find.mmysearchup.com usually collect (and sell) visitors' information.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are primarily distributed through bundled installation setups, deceptive promotional webpages, freeware and free file-hosting websites, online scams, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive ads.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Car Tab browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate detected browser-hijacking applications. It is noteworthy that manual removal (unaided by security software) might be ineffective, particularly in cases where multiple browser hijackers are present. Since after one is removed – the others may reinstall it. What is more, removal-related settings might be unmodifiable with browser-hijacking software installed. Therefore, it is crucial to remove browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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