How to eliminate Tab Clear adware and the advertisements it displays
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of software is Tab Clear?
While investigating questionable websites, our researchers discovered the Tab Clear browser extension. It is endorsed as a tool capable of closing all manner of browser tabs (regular, incognito, pinned) in a single click. After analyzing Tab Clear, we determined that it is advertising-supported software (adware). This extension is designed to feed users with unwanted and deceptive advertisements.
Tab Clear adware overview
Adware displays ads (i.e., pop-ups, overlays, banners, surveys, etc.) on visited websites and/or other interfaces. This third-party graphical content primarily endorses online scams, untrustworthy/harmful software, and even malware. When clicked on, some intrusive adverts can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.
It is noteworthy that while genuine products or services may be encountered via these advertisements – they are unlikely to be promoted in this fashion by any official parties. It is most probable that this promotion is undertaken by scammers who abuse the content's affiliate programs in order to obtain illegitimate commissions.
Advertising-supported software might not deliver intrusive advertisement campaigns if the browser/system is incompatible, specific sites are not visited, or other conditions are unsuitable. However, even if Tab Clear does not display ads – its presence on a system endangers device/user safety.
Furthermore, Tab Clear spies on users' browsing activity. Adware usually targets browsing and search engine histories, Internet cookies, account log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, finance-related information, and so on. The gathered data can then be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.
In summary, software like Tab Clear may cause infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Ads by Tab Clear |
| Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
| Browser Extension(s) | Tab Clear |
| Supposed Functionality | One-click browser tab closing tool |
| Symptoms | Seeing advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing. Intrusive pop-up ads. Decreased Internet browsing speed. |
| Distribution Methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling). |
| Damage | Decreased computer performance, browser tracking - privacy issues, possible additional malware infections. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Adware examples
We have analyzed thousands of adware samples; Search Center, Your Errors Team, and Close All Tabs are merely a few of our newest finds.
Advertising-supported software rarely appears suspicious. It tends to look legitimate and offer a wide variety of "handy" functionalities. However, these features seldom work as promised, and in most cases – they are utterly nonoperational.
It must be stressed that even if a piece of software works as indicated by its promotional material – that is not irrefutable proof of either legitimacy or safety.
How did Tab Clear install on my computer?
We acquired Tab Clear from a dubious webpage promoting this extension. Adware is commonly pushed through "official" promotional pages and online scams. Users primarily access these deceptive webpages via redirects generated by websites using rogue advertising networks, misspelled URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware (with browser force-opening capabilities).
Advertising-supported software can also be bundled with (packed alongside) ordinary programs. The danger of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from dubious sources (e.g., freeware and third-party sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and by treating installations with negligence (e.g., skipping steps, using "Quick/Easy" settings, etc.).
Additionally, adware is proliferated by intrusive adverts. 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 adware?
It is crucial to research software and download it only from official/trustworthy channels. We recommend treating installation processes with caution, e.g., by reading terms, inspecting possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all additional apps, extensions, etc.
We also advise being vigilant while browsing since fake and dangerous online content usually appears genuine and innocuous. For example, intrusive ads may look harmless – yet redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., scam-promoting, adult dating, pornography, gambling, etc.).
Should you keep encountering such advertisements and/or redirects, check the system and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Tab Clear, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.
Screenshot of the website used to promote Tab Clear adware:
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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Quick menu:
- What is Tab Clear?
- STEP 1. Uninstall adware applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove rogue extensions from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove rogue extensions from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Adware 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 unwanted applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the unwanted applications, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove adware from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove Tab Clear adware 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 "Tab Clear" and all other recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by tab clear, 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 plugins 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 recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ads by tab clear 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, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....
In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.
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 upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by tab clear, 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:
Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What harm can adware cause?
Adware-delivered adverts promote content capable of causing serious problems (e.g., system infections, privacy issues, financial losses, etc.). This software can decrease browsing quality and system performance. It usually has data-tracking functionalities – therefore, adware is classed as a privacy threat.
What does adware do?
Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It operates by enabling the placement of ads on visited webpages and/or different interfaces. Additionally, some adware types are also capable of force-opening sites and gathering private information.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Adware developers generate revenue predominantly via affiliate programs by promoting various sites, products, services, applications, browser extensions, and other content.
Will Combo Cleaner remove Tab Clear adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan systems and eliminate all adware-type apps installed. It is pertinent to mention that manual removal (performed without security tools) might not be a perfect solution. Since even after the advertising-supported software has been manually removed – various remnants (files) can stay hidden within the system. The remaining components might continue to run and cause problems. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate adware thoroughly.
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