How to remove the Mountains Tab browser hijacker

What kind of software is Mountains Tab?

Our research team discovered the Mountains Tab browser extension while inspecting suspicious sites. This rogue extension modified browser settings on our test machine and caused redirects to the mountainstab.com fake search engine. This behavior falls within the domain of browser hijackers.

Mountains Tab browser hijacker overview

Browser-hijacking software assigns promoted websites as browsers' default search engines, homepages, and new tab/window URLs. With Mountains Tab installed: new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries entered into the URL bar – would result in redirects to the mountainstab.com site.

It is worth mentioning that browser hijackers often employ persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent users from recovering their browsers.

Fake search engines are seldom capable of generating search results, so they redirect to legitimate Internet search websites. Mountainstab.com redirects to the Bing search engine (bing.com). However, it might land elsewhere since redirects can be impacted by factors like user geolocation.

Furthermore, Mountains Tab might have data-tracking abilities. Browser-hijacking software usually collects the following information: URLs visited, webpages viewed, search queries typed, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so on. The gathered information can then be shared with and/or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

In summary, the presence of software like Mountains Tab on devices may lead to system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Mountains Tab
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Mountains Tab
Promoted URL	mountainstab.com
Detection Names (mountainstab.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (mountainstab.com)	104.21.16.223
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

We have investigated numerous browser hijackers; Nature-Newtab, Gastronomy Tab, and Personalized Background are merely a few of our latest finds.

Browser-hijacking software tends to appear legitimate and innocuous. It also promises a broad range of handy functionalities, which are usually nonoperational. Note that even if a piece of software works as indicated by its promotional material – that is not definitive proof of either legitimacy or safety.

How did Mountains Tab install on my computer?

We acquired Mountains Tab from a dubious software-promoting webpage. Browser hijackers commonly have "official" promotional sites, and they are endorsed through online scams. Most users access these deceptive pages via redirects caused by misspelled URLs, websites using rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads, spam browser notifications, or installed adware.

Browser-hijacking software is also proliferated by intrusive advertisements. When clicked on, some of these adverts can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user permission.

"Bundling" – packing regular program installers with unwanted/malicious additions – is used to distribute browser hijackers as well. The risk of allowing bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and by rushing through installation processes (e.g., using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.).

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We strongly advise researching software and downloading it only from official/trustworthy sources. Furthermore, installation must be treated with care. Therefore, we recommend reading terms, studying available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all supplementary apps, extensions, tools, etc.

Another recommendation is to exercise caution while browsing since fake and dangerous online content usually appears legitimate. For example, intrusive ads may look ordinary/harmless – however, they redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., pornography, adult dating, gambling, etc.).

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

Permissions asked by Mountains Tab browser hijacker:

Website promoting Mountains Tab browser hijacker:

\

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

Mountains 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.

Mountains 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 "Mountains 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 "Mountains Tab", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.mountainstab.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 "mountainstab.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 mountainstab.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 "Mountains 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 "Mountains Tab", remove hxxp://mountainstab.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 mountainstab.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 mountainstab.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.

Post a comment:
If you have additional information on mountainstab.com redirect or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users to visit mountainstab.com website?

Redirects to websites like mountainstab.com are generated because cyber criminals (i.e., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers) profit through them.

Is visiting mountainstab.com a threat to my privacy?

Most likely, yes. Sites of this kind typically gather (and sell) visitor data.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are primarily proliferated via bundled installation setups, deceptive promotional webpages, freeware and free file-hosting sites, online scams, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive adverts.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Mountains Tab browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate all the browser-hijacking applications installed. Keep in mind that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might not be an ideal solution, particularly when multiple browser hijackers are present. In these cases, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. Furthermore, removal-related settings might be inaccessible with this software installed. Hence, it is paramount to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

▼ Show Discussion