Removing the Forestab browser hijacker and the redirects it generates

What kind of software is Forestab?

Our researchers discovered the Forestab browser extension while inspecting suspect websites. It is endorsed as a tool that displays nature-themed browser wallpapers.

After examining this extension, we determined that it is a browser hijacker. Forestab makes alterations to browser settings in order to promote (via redirects) the search.forestab.com fake search engine. Additionally, this piece of software spies on users' browsing activity.

Forestab browser hijacker overview

Browser-hijacking software reassigns browsers' default search engines, homepages, and new browser tab/window URLs to the addresses of endorsed websites.

Forestab modifies browser settings in this manner as well. Therefore, with this extension installed: Web searches performed via the URL bar and new browser tabs/windows opened – result in redirects to the search.forestab.com site.

It is pertinent to mention that browser hijackers may be capable of denying access to removal-related settings and/or undoing user-made changes.

Fake search engines usually cannot provide search results, so they redirect to legitimate ones. Search.forestab.com redirects to the Google search engine (google.com). Note that this website could land elsewhere since factors like user geolocation may impact redirects.

Forestab has data-tracking abilities. Browser-hijacking software typically collects the following information: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, etc. The gathered information can then be monetized via sale to third-parties.

To summarize, the presence of software like Forestab on devices may result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Forestab
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Forestab
Supposed Functionality	Nature-themed browser wallpapers
Promoted URL	search.forestab.com
Detection Names (search.forestab.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (search.forestab.com)	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).
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 countless browser hijackers; Recycling Tree, Trade Econ, and Architecture Backgrounds are but a few examples.

Browser-hijacking software rarely appears illegitimate or otherwise suspicious. It tends to look ordinary and harmless. Users are enticed into downloading/installing the software by offers of various handy functionalities. However, these features are usually fake and nonoperational.

It must be stressed that even if a browser extension or an application works as advertised – that is not a guarantee of legitimacy or safety.

How did Forestab install on my computer?

We obtained Forestab from its "official" promotional webpage. In addition to such sites, browser hijackers are commonly endorsed on scam pages. Most visitors to these webpages access them via redirects generated by mistyped URLs, websites using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware.

Browser-hijacking software can also be bundled (packed together) with regular programs. The risk of allowing 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 treating installation processes with negligence (e.g., ignoring terms, using "Quick/Easy" settings, etc.).

Intrusive adverts proliferate browser hijackers as well. When clicked on, some of the advertisements can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user permission.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We strongly recommend researching software and downloading only from official/verified channels. When installing, it is essential to read terms, study possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of all supplements (e.g., apps, extensions, features, tools, etc.).

We advise caution while browsing since fraudulent and malicious online content usually appears legitimate and innocuous. For example, while intrusive advertisements may look harmless – they redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., scam-promoting, pornography, adult dating, gambling, etc.).

Should you keep experiencing ads/redirects of this kind, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Forestab, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Permissions asked by Forestab browser hijacker:

Website promoting Forestab browser hijacker:

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

Forestab 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.

Forestab browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove Forestab 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 "Forestab" 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 "Forestab", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.forestab.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.forestab.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.forestab.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 "Forestab", 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 "Forestab", remove hxxp://search.forestab.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.forestab.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.forestab.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.forestab.com website?

Cyber criminals (i.e., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers) generate revenue through redirects to sites like search.forestab.com.

Is visiting search.forestab.com a threat to my privacy?

To a certain extent, yes. Websites like search.forestab.com typically collect (and sell) information about their visitors.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

The most widely used distribution techniques include: bundled installation setups, deceptive promotional webpages, online scams, freeware and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive adverts.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Forestab browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate installed browser-hijacking apps. It must be mentioned that manual removal (unaided by security software) might not be ideal, particularly when multiple browser hijackers are present. In these instances, after one is removed – the others may reinstall it. Furthermore, removal-related settings might be inaccessible with this software installed. Hence, it is crucial to remove browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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