Removing Galaxy Tab browser hijacker and the redirects it generates

What kind of software is Galaxy Tab?

While checking out dubious websites, our research team discovered the Galaxy Tab browser extension. It promises to display galaxy-themed browser wallpapers. This extension modifies browser settings to generate redirects. Due to this behavior, it is classed as a browser hijacker.

Galaxy Tab browser hijacker overview

Browser-hijacking software assigns endorsed websites as browsers' default search engines, homepages, and new tab/window URLs. Therefore, whenever a new browser tab/window is opened or a search query is entered into the URL bar – it results in redirects to the assigned site.

In most cases, software within this category promotes fake search engines. These illegitimate websites cannot generate search results (or accurate ones) and redirect to genuine search engines. However, Galaxy Tab redirects straight to the Bing search engine (bing.com) without an intermediary. It is noteworthy that Galaxy Tab could cause redirects landing elsewhere, as they may be impacted by factors like user geolocation.

Browser hijackers often use persistence-ensuring mechanisms, such as denying access to removal-related settings or undoing user-made changes – to prevent browser recovery.

Furthermore, Galaxy Tab likely has data-tracking abilities. Information of interest may include: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, Internet cookies, log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so forth. The collected information can then be monetized via sale to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

To summarize, browser-hijacking software like Galaxy Tab can cause system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Galaxy Tab
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Galaxy Tab
Supposed Functionality	Galaxy-themed browser wallpapers
Promoted URL	bing.com
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; Traveling Tab, TimeNow, To Do Search, and PhotosFox are merely a few examples.

Browser-hijacking software typically appears legitimate/innocuous and offers handy features. However, these functions seldom work as promised, and in most cases – they do not work at all. Keep in mind that operational functionalities are not a guarantee of a software's legitimacy or safety.

How did Galaxy Tab install on my computer?

We acquired Galaxy Tab from its "official" promotional page. In addition to such webpages, browser hijackers are endorsed on scam sites. Most users enter these pages via redirects generated by websites that utilize rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware.

"Bundling" – packing regular program installers with unwanted/malicious additions – is also used to proliferate browser hijackers.

Downloading from dubious channels, e.g., freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, and other third-party sources – increases the risk of allowing bundled content into the device. Additionally, the risk is compounded by rushing through installation processes, e.g., ignoring terms, skipping steps, using "Easy/Express" settings, etc.

Intrusive advertisements spread this software. Once clicked on, some of the adverts 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 channels. When installing, it is important to read terms, explore possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of all supplements (e.g., apps, extensions, features, etc.).

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

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

Permissions asked by Galaxy Tab browser hijacker:

Official website promoting Galaxy Tab browser hijacker:

Deceptive website promoting Galaxy Tab browser hijacker:

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

Galaxy 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.

Galaxy Tab 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 "Galaxy 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 "Galaxy Tab", look for the promoted URL (hxxp://www.bing.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 "bing.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 galaxy tab 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 "Galaxy 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 "Galaxy Tab", remove hxxp://bing.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 galaxy tab 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 galaxy tab 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 bing.com website?

Cyber criminals (e.g., developers of browser hijackers and fake search engines, etc.) generate revenue through redirects. In some cases, when the promoted website is genuine, the promotion is performed by criminals seeking to acquire illegitimate commissions by abusing the site's affiliate programs.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

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

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Galaxy Tab browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate all browser-hijacking applications present. It must be mentioned that manual removal (performed without security tools) might not be ideal, especially when multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system. In these cases, after one is removed – the others may reinstall it. What is more, browser-hijacking software may be capable of denying access to removal-related settings and/or undoing user-made changes. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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