How to remove Gastronomy Tab browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is Gastronomy Tab?
After evaluating the Gastronomy Tab browser extension, we learned that it behaves as a browser hijacker, promoting a fake search engine (find.hsrcnav.com). Gastronomy Tab alters browser settings to take control. Typically, users unintentionally download and install browser-hijacking applications.
Gastronomy Tab browser hijacker overview
After being added to a web browser, Gastronomy Tab alters specific settings such as the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page, replacing them with a counterfeit search engine called find.hsrcnav.com. When users conduct searches using this fake search engine, they are subsequently redirected to bing.com, where search results from Bing are presented.
Although the search results displayed originate from Bing, a legitimate search engine, it is important to note that Gastronomy Tab is responsible for hijacking the user's browsing and altering its behavior.
It is also important to mention that fake search engines and browser hijackers may collect and track user data, including browsing habits, search queries, and personal information. This data can be misused or sold to third parties, compromising user privacy and potentially leading to identity theft or targeted advertising.
Some browser hijackers can be challenging to remove manually. They may leave behind residual files, modify system settings, or be capable of reinstalling themselves, making it difficult for users to eliminate them.
Name | Gastronomy Tab |
Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
Browser Extension(s) | Gastronomy Tab |
Supposed Functionality | Pleasurable search experience |
Promoted URL | find.hsrcnav.com |
Detection Names (find.hsrcnav.com) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
Serving IP Address (find.hsrcnav.com) | 13.249.85.105 |
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. |
Conclusion
Overall, fake search engines and browser hijackers can disrupt the user's online experience, compromise privacy and security, and negatively impact the performance of their web browser. It is important to take prompt action to remove such threats and adopt preventive measures to avoid their installation in the first place.
More examples of browser-hijacking apps are Shapes Tab, Car Tab, and Personalized Background.
How did Gastronomy Tab install on my computer?
Users can unknowingly add browser hijackers to their browsers or install them on their computers through different means. A common method involves bundled software installations, where a browser hijacker is included as an additional component along with legitimate software.
Deceptive advertisements or misleading links can also contribute to the installation of browser hijackers. These advertisements or links may falsely advertise useful features or enhancements but ultimately lead to the installation of a browser hijacker.
Furthermore, browser hijackers may masquerade as genuine browser extensions or plugins, deceiving users into voluntarily installing them.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
In order to prevent the installation or addition of browser hijackers, it is advisable to exercise caution during software installations. It is recommended to download software from reputable and official sources and carefully review the installation process, being mindful of any additional components or bundled software.
Furthermore, it is advisable to avoid clicking on suspicious advertisements or misleading links and to be vigilant when installing browser extensions or plugins, ensuring they come from trusted sources. If your computer is already infected with Gastronomy Tab, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Find.hsrcnav.com redirects to bing.com (GIF):
Permissions asked by Gastronomy Tab browser hijacker:
Websites promoting Gastronomy Tab browser hijacker:
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is Gastronomy Tab?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Gastronomy Tab application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Gastronomy Tab browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove find.hsrcnav.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove find.hsrcnav.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Gastronomy 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 find.hsrcnav.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Gastronomy 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 "Gastronomy 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 "Gastronomy Tab", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.find.hsrcnav.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.hsrcnav.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.hsrcnav.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 "Gastronomy 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 "Gastronomy Tab", remove hxxp://find.hsrcnav.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.hsrcnav.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.hsrcnav.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 find.hsrcnav.com website?
Creators of fake search engines like find.hsrcnav.com often aim to generate revenue through advertising or to collect personal information from users.
Is visiting find.hsrcnav.com a threat to my privacy?
Yes, visiting find.hsrcnav.com can pose a threat to your privacy. Fake search engines like find.hsrcnav.com have the capability to collect and track your search queries, browsing history, and other personal information.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Commonly, apps of this type are bundled with free software downloads, where the hijacker is included as an additional component. Also, browser hijackers can be distributed through deceptive advertisements, malicious websites, or spam emails that contain malicious attachments or links.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Gastronomy Tab browser hijacker?
In cases where multiple browser hijackers coexist and can reinstall each other, relying solely on manual removal may not be sufficient. Additionally, certain settings may remain inaccessible while a browser hijacker is active, requiring the comprehensive removal of all associated hijackers. Combo Cleaner offers a reliable solution by scanning your computer, identifying all browser-hijacking applications, and effectively removing them.
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