Removal instructions for the Purrfect Tab browser hijacker

What kind of software is Purrfect Tab?

Purrfect Tab is promoted as an extension that displays feline-themed browser wallpapers. Our researchers discovered this piece of software while investigating suspicious websites. After analyzing Purrfect Tab, we determined that it is a browser hijacker. It modifies browser settings in order to cause redirects to the ssrcunow.com fake search engine.

Purrfect Tab browser hijacker overview

Browser-hijacking software typically reassigns browsers' homepages, default search engines, and new browser tab/window URLs to the addresses of promoted sites. Therefore, new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries entered into the URL bar – result in redirects to the endorsed website. In the case of Purrfect Tab, the aforementioned actions cause redirects to ssrcunow.com.

Illegitimate search engines usually cannot generate search results, so they lead to genuine Internet search websites. At the time of research, ssrcunow.com landed on the Bing search engine (bing.com). However, it could lead elsewhere since factors like user geolocation may impact redirects.

Browser hijackers commonly use persistence-ensuring techniques to complicate their removal and prevent users from recovering their browsers.

Furthermore, Purrfect Tab likely spies on users' browsing activity. Information of interest may include: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, Internet cookies, personally identifiable details, account log-in credentials, finance-related data, etc. The collected information can then be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.

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

Threat Summary:

Name	Purrfect Tab
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Purrfect Tab
Supposed Functionality	Feline-themed browser wallpapers
Promoted URL	ssrcunow.com
Detection Names (ssrcunow.com)	Criminal IP (Phishing), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (ssrcunow.com)	65.8.243.80
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

Swift Searcher, Dragon Baby, Rapid Spell Check Extension, MyWallPaper – are just some examples of browser hijackers we have examined recently.

Browser-hijacking software rarely appears suspicious; it tends to look legitimate and offer various useful functionalities. However, these features are usually fake and nonoperational. Keep in mind that even if a piece of software works as indicated by its promotional material – that is not a guarantee of either legitimacy or safety.

How did Purrfect Tab install on my computer?

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

"Bundling" – packing ordinary program installers with unwanted/malicious supplements – is also used to distribute browser-hijacking software.

Downloading from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and rushing through installation processes (e.g., ignoring terms, using "Easy/Express" settings, etc.) – increase the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the system.

Intrusive adverts proliferate browser hijackers as well. Some of these advertisements can be triggered (i.e., by being clicked) to execute scripts that perform stealthy downloads/installations.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

It is important to always research software before downloading or purchasing it. Additionally, all downloads must be performed from official and trustworthy sources. When installing, we advise reading terms, exploring available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all supplementary apps, extensions, tools, features, etc.

Another recommendation is to exercise caution while browsing since fraudulent and malicious online content typically appears genuine and innocuous. For example, while intrusive ads may look harmless – they redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., gambling, scam-promoting, pornography, adult dating, etc.).

If you keep encountering such adverts/redirects, check the system and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Purrfect Tab, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Screenshot of the permissions asked by Purrfect Tab browser hijacker:

Screenshots of the website promoting Purrfect Tab browser hijacker:

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

Purrfect 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.

Purrfect Tab browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove Purrfect 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 "Purrfect 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 "Purrfect Tab", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.ssrcunow.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 "ssrcunow.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 ssrcunow.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 "Purrfect 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 "Purrfect Tab", remove hxxp://ssrcunow.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 ssrcunow.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 ssrcunow.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 ssrcunow.com website?

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

Is visiting ssrcunow.com a threat to my privacy?

To a certain extent, yes. Websites like ssrcunow.com usually collect visitor data in order to sell it to third-parties.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser-hijacking software is primarily distributed via bundled installers, deceptive promotional webpages, online scams, freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Purrfect Tab browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner is designed to detect and eliminate all manner of threats, including browser-hijacking applications. Note that manual removal (unaided by security tools) might not be ideal, especially when multiple browser hijackers are present. Since after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. What is more, browser-hijacking software might deny access to removal-related settings and/or undo user-made changes. Hence, browser hijackers must be eliminated thoroughly and all at once.

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