How to eliminate Sharks Tab browser hijacker and the redirects it generates
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of software is Sharks Tab?
While investigating questionable websites, our researchers discovered the Sharks Tab extension that promises to display browser wallpapers that depict sharks.
After analyzing this piece of software, we learned that it modifies browser settings to promote (via redirects) the r.bsc.sien.com fake search engine. Due to this behavior, Sharks Tab is classed as a browser hijacker.
Sharks Tab browser hijacker overview
On our test machine, Sharks Tab made alterations to the browser's default search engine, homepage, and new tab/window. With this extension installed, whenever we opened a new browser tab/window or entered a search query into the URL bar – it resulted in redirects to the r.bsc.sien.com website.
It is noteworthy that browser-hijacking software often utilizes persistence-ensuring mechanisms to complicate its removal and prevent users from recovering their browsers.
Fake search engines usually cannot provide search results, so they redirect to legitimate Internet search sites. R.bsc.sien.com is not an exception; it leads to the Bing search engine (bing.com). It is pertinent to mention that this webpage could land elsewhere, as factors like user geolocation may impact redirects.
What is more, browser hijackers typically have data-tracking abilities, and this might apply to Sharks Tab. Information of interest can include: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so forth. The collected information can then be shared with and/or sold to third-parties.
In summary, browser-hijacking software like Sharks Tab may cause system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Sharks Tab |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Sharks Tab |
| Supposed Functionality | Shark-themed browser wallpapers |
| Promoted URL | r.bsc.sien.com |
| Detection Names (r.bsc.sien.com) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (r.bsc.sien.com) | 15.197.161.27 |
| 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 investigated countless browser hijackers; The Weather Mom, Converter Tab, Forest New Tab, and Beautiful Beach Tab are just a few examples.
Software within this classification usually appears legitimate and innocuous. Users are enticed into downloading/installing browser hijackers by various "useful" functionalities. However, these functions seldom work as advertised, and in most cases – they do not work at all.
It must be stressed that even if a piece of software operates as indicated by its promotional material – that is not irrefutable proof of either legitimacy or safety.
How did Sharks Tab install on my computer?
Sharks Tab has an "official" promotional webpage. In addition to such pages, browser hijackers are commonly promoted on scam sites. Most visitors access these webpages via redirects caused by websites using rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive adverts, or installed adware.
Browser-hijacking software can also be bundled with ordinary programs. The risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and by treating installations with negligence (e.g., ignoring terms, using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.).
Intrusive advertisements proliferate browser hijackers as well. Some of the ads can execute scripts to perform stealthy downloads/installations upon being clicked.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
It is essential to research software and download it only from official/trustworthy sources. When installing, we advise reading terms, investigating possible options, using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opting out of all additions (e.g., apps, extensions, tools, features, etc.).
Another recommendation is to be vigilant while browsing since fake and dangerous online content usually appears legitimate and innocuous. For example, while intrusive adverts may look harmless – they redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., scam-promoting, gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc.).
If you keep encountering advertisements and/or redirects of this kind, check the system and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Sharks Tab, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Permissions asked by Sharks Tab browser hijacker:
Website promoting Sharks Tab browser hijacker:
Appearance of r.bsc.sien.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:
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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 Sharks Tab?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Sharks Tab browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove r.bsc.sien.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove r.bsc.sien.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Sharks 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.
Sharks 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 "Sharks 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 "Sharks Tab", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.r.bsc.sien.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 "r.bsc.sien.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 r.bsc.sien.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 "Sharks 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 "Sharks Tab", remove hxxp://r.bsc.sien.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 r.bsc.sien.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 r.bsc.sien.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 r.bsc.sien.com website?
Redirects to websites like r.bsc.sien.com are generated because cyber criminals (i.e., developers of browser hijackers and fake search engines) profit through them.
Is visiting r.bsc.sien.com a threat to my privacy?
To a certain extent, yes. Sites like r.bsc.sien.com tend to collect (and sell) information about their visitors.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser-hijacking software is primarily spread via deceptive promotional webpages, freeware and free file-hosting websites, bundled installation setups, online scams, P2P sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Sharks Tab browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate installed browser-hijacking apps. Keep in mind that manual removal (unaided by security tools) might be ineffective, especially when multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system. In these instances, after one is removed – the others may reinstall it. What is more, browser-hijacking software might 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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