How to remove Tabtonews browser hijacker and the redirects it generates
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of software is Tabtonews?
Our research team discovered the Tabtonews rogue browser extension during a routine inspection of untrustworthy websites. After investigating this piece of software, we determined that it is a browser hijacker. Tabtonews makes modifications to browser settings in order to promote (through redirects) the search.routway.com fake search engine.
Tabtonews browser hijacker overview
Browser hijackers modify browsers' homepages, default search engines, and new browser tab/window URLs. Hence, whenever a new browser tab/window is opened or a Web search is performed via the URL bar – it results in redirects to the promoted website. Tabtonews likewise affects browsers to endorse the search.routway.com site.
Browser-hijacking software usually pushes fake search engines, which cannot generate search results – so they lead to genuine Internet search websites (e.g., Google, Yahoo, Bing, etc.). While some illegitimate search engines can provide search results – they are inaccurate and may include sponsored, unreliable, deceptive, and malicious content. At the time of research, search.routway.com was nonfunctional and did not redirect to a different page.
Browser hijackers commonly use persistence-ensuring techniques to complicate their removal and prevent users from recovering their browsers.
Furthermore, this software typically spies on users' browsing activity, and this might be true of Tabtonews. Targeted information may include: visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so forth. This vulnerable information can then be monetized via sale to third-parties.
In summary, the presence of browser-hijacking software like Tabtonews on devices may result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Tabtonews |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Tabtonews |
| Supposed Functionality | Easy access to latest news |
| Promoted URL | search.routway.com |
| Detection Names (search.routway.com) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (search.routway.com) | 35.186.205.18 |
| 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. |
Browser hijacker examples
We have analyzed numerous browser hijackers; Daily Inspiration for Photographers, Retro Search New Tab, Kustom Tab - Your Live Tab – are but a few examples.
Browser-hijacking software usually appears ordinary/innocuous and offers a broad range of handy features. However, these functionalities seldom work as promised, and in most cases – they do not work at all. It must be stressed that even if a piece of software operates as advertised – that is not definitive proof of either legitimacy or safety.
How did Tabtonews install on my computer?
We discovered several deceptive webpages promoting the Tabtonews browser extension. Most visitors to sites that endorse browser-hijacking software access them via redirects generated by misspelled URLs, websites utilizing rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installs adware.
Additionally, the bundling marketing technique – packing regular program installers with unwanted/malicious supplements – is used to distribute browser hijackers.
The risk of inadvertently permitting bundled content access into the system is increased by downloading from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and by rushing through installation processes (e.g., skipping steps, using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.).
Intrusive adverts proliferate browser hijackers as well. Once clicked on, some of these advertisements can execute scripts to perform stealthy downloads/installations.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
We strongly recommend researching software and downloading it only from official/verified sources. When installing, it is essential to read terms, explore available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of all additional applications, extensions, tools, features, and so on.
We advise exercising caution while browsing since fraudulent and dangerous online content usually appears legitimate and harmless. For example, despite their ordinary appearance – intrusive ads redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.).
Should you keep encountering such adverts and/or redirects, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspicious apps and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Tabtonews, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Permissions asked by Tabtonews browser hijacker:
Tabtonews browser hijacker's "official" promotional website:
Deceptive website promoting Tabtonews browser hijacker:
Appearance of a search.routway.com redirect (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:
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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 Tabtonews?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Tabtonews browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove search.routway.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove search.routway.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Tabtonews 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.
Tabtonews browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove Tabtonews 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 "Tabtonews" 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 "Tabtonews", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.routway.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 "search.routway.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 search.routway.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 "Tabtonews", 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 "Tabtonews", remove hxxp://search.routway.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 search.routway.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 search.routway.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 search.routway.com website?
Redirects to sites like search.routway.com are generated because cyber criminals (i.e., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers) profit through them.
Is visiting search.routway.com a threat to my privacy?
To a certain extent, yes. Websites like search.routway.com usually gather information about their visitors.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser-hijacking software is primarily distributed via deceptive promotional webpages, freeware and free file-hosting sites, bundled installers, online scams, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Tabtonews browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate installed browser-hijacking applications. 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. What is more, browser-hijacking software might be capable of rendering removal-related settings unmodifiable. Hence, it is paramount to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.
Outstanding!
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