Removal instructions for the Quotes Srch Tab browser hijacker

What kind of software is Quotes Srch Tab?

While investigating untrustworthy websites, our researchers discovered the Quotes Srch Tab browser extension. It is endorsed as an extension that displays seaside-themed browser wallpapers featuring famous quotes.

After examining Quotes Srch Tab, we determined that it is a browser hijacker. It modifies browsers to promote (through redirects) the fsrc-withus.com fake search engine.

Quotes Srch Tab browser hijacker overview

When installed on our test machine, Quotes Srch Tab assigned fsrc-withus.com as the browser's homepage, default search engine, and new tab/window. Therefore, new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries entered into the URL bar – resulted in redirects to the fsrc-withus.com site.

The fake search engine then redirected to the Bing search engine. This is common with browser-hijacking software, as the promoted websites usually cannot generate search results, so they redirect to legitimate search engines. Note that fsrc-withus.com could land elsewhere since redirects can depend on factors like user geolocation.

Browser hijackers often employ persistence-ensuring techniques to complicate their removal. For example, the software may prevent users from recovering their browsers by restricting access to removal-related settings or by undoing user-made changes.

Furthermore, Quotes Srch Tab likely collects private information. Targeted data may include: URLs visited, webpages viewed, search queries typed, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, credit card numbers, and so on. The gathered information can then be monetized via sale to third-parties.

To summarize, the presence of browser-hijacking software like Quotes Srch Tab on devices can result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Quotes Srch Tab
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Quotes Srch Tab
Supposed Functionality	Seaside-themed browser wallpapers with inspirational quotes.
Promoted URL	fsrc-withus.com
Detection Names (fsrc-withus.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (fsrc-withus.com)	18.64.141.117
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 inspected thousands of browser hijackers; Volume Extra, Space backgrounds pictures, and Motivational Quotes are merely a few examples.

Browser-hijacking software appears legitimate and offers "useful" features. However, these functions seldom work as promised, and in most cases – they are utterly nonoperational. It must be mentioned that even if an extension or app works as advertised – that is not definite proof of either legitimacy or safety.

How did Quotes Srch Tab install on my computer?

We obtained Quotes Srch Tab from its "official" promotional webpage. In addition to misleading endorsement sites, browser hijackers are often pushed through scam pages. Most visitors access them via redirects caused by websites using rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware.

Browser-hijacking software can be bundled with (i.e., packed alongside) ordinary programs. The risk of inadvertently permitting bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from dubious sources (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and by rushing through installation processes (e.g., reading terms, using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.).

Browser hijackers are proliferated by intrusive adverts as well. Once clicked on, some of these ads can perform stealthy downloads/installations.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We strongly advise researching software before downloading it. Furthermore, all downloads must be performed from official and verified sources. When installing, it is important to read terms, study possible options, use the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opt out of all additions (e.g., apps, extensions, tools, etc.).

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

In case of continuous encounters with ads and/or redirects of this kind, inspect the device and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Quotes Srch Tab, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Permissions asked by Quotes Srch Tab browser hijacker:

Deceptive website promoting Quotes Srch Tab browser hijacker:

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

Quotes Srch 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.

Quotes Srch Tab browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove Quotes Srch Tab browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Extensions" and click "Manage Extensions". Locate "Quotes Srch 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 "Quotes Srch Tab", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.fsrc-withus.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 "fsrc-withus.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 fsrc-withus.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 "Quotes Srch 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 "Quotes Srch Tab", remove hxxp://fsrc-withus.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 fsrc-withus.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 fsrc-withus.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 fsrc-withus.com website?

Redirects to sites like fsrc-withus.com are generated because cyber criminals (e.g., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers, etc.) profit through them.

Is visiting fsrc-withus.com a threat to my privacy?

To a certain extent, yes. Websites like fsrc-withus.com typically gather (and sell) private information.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are primarily spread through bundled installers, deceptive promotional webpages, freeware and third-party websites, online scams, P2P sharing networks (e.g., Torrent clients, eMule, Gnutella, etc.), spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Quotes Srch Tab browser hijacker?

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

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