Removal instructions for the AerospaceSearchTab browser hijacker

What kind of software is AerospaceSearchTab?

While inspecting suspicious sites, our researchers discovered the AerospaceSearchTab browser extension. It is presented as a piece of software that displays aerospace-themed browser wallpapers. However, after analyzing AerospaceSearchTab, we learned that it is a browser hijacker promoting the aerospacetab.com fake search engine.

AerospaceSearchTab browser hijacker overview

On our test machine, AerospaceSearchTab made modifications to the browser (e.g., homepage, default search engine, new tab/window URL). The settings were changed to the aerospacetab.com website.

Fake search engines usually cannot provide search results, so they redirect to legitimate Internet search sites. Aerospacetab.com is not an exception; at the time of research, it redirected to the Bing search engine (bing.com). However, this website could lead elsewhere since redirects may be impacted by factors like user geolocation.

It is noteworthy that browser-hijacking software commonly employs persistence-ensuring techniques to complicate its removal and prevent users from recovering their browsers.

Furthermore, AerospaceSearchTab likely spies on users' browsing activity. Browser hijackers typically target: visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related information, and so on. The collected data can then be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.

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

Threat Summary:

Name	AerospaceSearchTab
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	AerospaceSearchTab
Supposed Functionality	Aerospace-themed browser wallpapers
Promoted URL	aerospacetab.com
Detection Names (aerospacetab.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (aerospacetab.com)	3.141.74.170
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 examined numerous browser hijackers; Perfect New Tab, Shop Tab, CurrencyTrack – are just a couple of examples. Browser-hijacking software appears legitimate and offers a wide variety of handy functionalities. However, the features seldom work as advertised, and in most cases – they do not work at all.

It must be stressed that even if a browser extension or application operates as indicated by its promotional material – that is not definitive proof of either legitimacy or safety.

How did AerospaceSearchTab install on my computer?

We obtained AerospaceSearchTab from its "official" promotional webpage. In addition to these pages, browser hijackers are often endorsed on scam sites. Users primarily access such webpages via redirects generated by misspelled URLs, websites that use rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads, spam browser notifications, or installed adware.

The bundling marketing technique – packing ordinary program installation setups with unwanted/malicious supplements – is also used to distribute browser-hijacking software. The risk of allowing bundled content into the device is increased by downloading from untrustworthy sources (e.g., freeware and third-party sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and by treating installation processes with negligence (e.g., ignoring terms, using "Easy/Express" settings, etc.).

Additionally, intrusive adverts proliferate browser hijackers. Once clicked on, some of these advertisements can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We highly recommend researching software and downloading it only from official/verified channels. We also advise being careful when installing content, e.g., by reading terms, exploring available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all supplementary apps, extensions, features, etc.

Another recommendation is to exercise caution while browsing since fraudulent and malicious online content usually appears innocuous. For example, despite their legitimate/harmless appearance – intrusive ads redirect to unreliable/questionable websites (e.g., scam-promoting, gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.).

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

Permissions asked by AerospaceSearchTab browser hijacker:

Website promoting AerospaceSearchTab browser hijacker:

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

AerospaceSearchTab 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.

AerospaceSearchTab 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 "Extensions" and click "Manage Extensions". Locate "AerospaceSearchTab" 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 "AerospaceSearchTab", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.aerospacetab.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 "aerospacetab.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 aerospacetab.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 "AerospaceSearchTab", 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 "AerospaceSearchTab", remove hxxp://aerospacetab.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 aerospacetab.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 aerospacetab.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 aerospacetab.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 aerospacetab.com website?

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

Is visiting aerospacetab.com a threat to my privacy?

Most likely, yes. Websites like aerospacetab.com usually gather (and sell) information about their visitors.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

The most commonly used distribution methods include: deceptive promotional pages, freeware and free file-hosting websites, bundled installers, online scams, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive ads.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove AerospaceSearchTab browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate installed browser-hijacking apps. Keep in mind that manual removal (performed without the aid of security tools) might be ineffective. In cases where multiple browser hijackers are present: after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. Furthermore, removal-related settings might be inaccessible with browser-hijacking software installed. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

▼ Show Discussion