How to remove Protab browser hijacker from a web browser
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of application is Protab?
During our examination of Protab extension, we learned that it operates as a browser hijacker. The main purpose of this app is to promote search.protab.me, a fake search engine, by changing the settings of a web browser. It is important to note that users often download and add browser hijackers without knowing the consequences.
Protab browser hijacker overview
Once added, the Protab extension alters the default search engine, homepage, and new tab settings of the affected browser, redirecting users to search.protab.me. This fake search engine provides search results generated by Bing - it redirects users to bing.com via aonline-search.com (another shady address). It is important to mention that bing.com is a legitimate search engine.
The purpose of fake search engines like search.protab.me is often to generate revenue through advertising. They may display additional sponsored ads or manipulate search results to promote certain websites or products. By exploiting the reputation and recognition of a well-known search engine like Bing, these fake search engines attempt to gain user trust and traffic.
It is also important to know that fake search engines may provide manipulated search results, display intrusive advertisements, and track user browsing activity to gather personal information. Browser hijackers that promote fake search engines can also be designed to collect various data. Thus, it is recommended to avoid using Protab and search.protab.me.
| Name | Protab |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Protab |
| Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
| Promoted URL | search.protab.me |
| Detection Names (search.protab.me) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (search.protab.me) | 3.225.140.174 |
| 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
In conclusion, browser hijackers and fake search engines can pose a threat to users' browsing experience and online privacy. Browser-hijacking apps often infiltrate systems without users' knowledge or consent, modifying browser settings and redirecting users to unwanted websites.
Browser hijackers may introduce fake search engines, display intrusive ads, and track user data for potentially malicious purposes. More examples of apps categorized as browser hijackers are Space Spiders, Calendar New Tab, and Quotes Srch Tab.
How did Protab install on my computer?
Users often install or add browser hijackers by downloading and installing free software or applications from untrusted sources that are bundled with browser hijackers. Installers used to distribute browser hijackers usually have options that can be used to deselect undesired (additionally included) apps.
In other cases, users install browser hijackers by clicking on deceptive or misleading advertisements that prompt users to download or install certain software, which may contain browser-hijacking apps. Visiting compromised websites or clicking on malicious links can also lead to the installation of browser hijackers.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Download software only from trusted and reputable sources such as official pages and stores. Be cautious of free software offers, especially from unfamiliar websites or pop-up ads. During installation, carefully read the terms and conditions, and opt out of any additional software or bundled applications that are not necessary or unwanted.
Do not allow unreliable web pages to send notifications. If your computer is already infected with Protab, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Search.protab.me redirects to bing.com via aonline-search.com (GIF):
Permissions asked by Protab browser hijacker:
Websites promoting Protab 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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Quick menu:
- What is Protab?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Protab application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Protab browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove search.protab.me homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove search.protab.me redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Protab 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 search.protab.me website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Protab browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove Protab 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 "Protab" 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 "Protab", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.protab.me) 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 "search.protab.me", 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 search.protab.me 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 "Protab", 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 "Protab", remove hxxp://search.protab.me 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 search.protab.me 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 search.protab.me 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 search.protab.me website?
The ultimate goal of forcing users to visit search.protab.me is to exploit the traffic and data for financial gain.
Is visiting search.protab.me a threat to my privacy?
Visiting search.protab.me can indeed pose a threat to your privacy. As a fake search engine operated by browser hijackers, search.protab.me may collect various information that may be misused for malicious purposes.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers can infiltrate your computer through various means. One common method is through software bundling, where the hijacker is bundled with free or pirated software that you download and install. It can also occur when you click on malicious advertisements or visit compromised websites that exploit your browser's security vulnerabilities.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Protab browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner scans and removes browser-hijacking applications from your computer. Manual removal may not always be effective, especially when multiple hijackers are present and designed to reinstall each other. So it is important to remove all of them simultaneously.
Outstanding!
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