How to remove Scenic Tab browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of application is Scenic Tab?
Our examination of the Scenic Tab app has shown that this extension operates as a browser hijacker. It modifies the settings of a web browser to promote search.scenic-tab.com. In addition to hijacking a browser, Scenic Tab may gather user data. Thus, it is highly advisable not to add Scenic Tab and similar apps to browsers.
Scenic Tab browser hijacker overview
Scenic Tab hijacks a web browser by making search.scenic-tab.com the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page. This app forces users to visit search.scenic-tab.com when they open their browser or a new tab. Upon entering a search query, search.scenic-tab.com redirects users to bing.com.
Since using search.scenic-tab.com leads to being provided with search results from Bing (a legitimate search engine), it makes search.scenic-tab.com a fake search engine. Fake search engines should not be trusted even when they redirect users to legitimate search engines or other addresses.
Using fake search engines can pose serious threats to user privacy through unauthorized data gathering. These deceptive platforms may employ various tactics to collect user information, including search queries, browsing habits, and even personal details. Such data harvesting is often conducted without the user's explicit consent, leading to a significant breach of privacy.
Additionally, the search results provided by fake engines may be manipulated to promote potentially harmful content, including scams, malware, or fraudulent schemes. Thus, users should avoid using questionable search engines and remove any browser hijackers that promote them.
Name | Scenic Tab |
Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
Browser Extension(s) | Scenic Tab |
Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
Promoted URL | search.scenic-tab.com |
Detection Names (search.scenic-tab.com) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
Serving IP Address (search.scenic-tab.com) | 54.69.96.139 |
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), fake Flash Player installers. |
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. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, fake search engines and browser hijackers pose substantial threats to users' online security and privacy. These deceptive entities undermine the reliability of search results, leading users to potentially harmful websites and compromising the integrity of their online experience.
Furthermore, the unauthorized data gathering associated with these platforms raises serious concerns about user privacy, with the collected information susceptible to misuse and exploitation by malicious actors.
Examples of apps that function as browser hijackers are Findmovie, MyWorldClock, and Thai Wallpaper.
How did Scenic Tab install on my computer?
One common method for distributing browser hijackers involves bundling these apps with seemingly harmless software. When users download and install these bundled packages, the hidden browser-hijacking apps can take control of their browsers, altering settings and redirecting them to unwanted websites.
Visiting compromised websites, falling victim to deceptive advertisements, using third-party stores, P2P networks, and similar channels can also lead to browser hijacking. In most cases, users add browser hijackers unintentionally due to the deceptive methods used to promote and distribute these apps.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Avoid visiting compromised or suspicious websites. Be wary of clicking on ads, especially those that seem misleading or overly enticing. Only download software from reputable sources (official pages and stores). Carefully review installers (check them for "Advanced", "Custom", or similar options) during installations and deselect unwanted applications.
Install reputable security software. Regularly update your operating system, browser, and security software. If your computer is already infected with Scenic Tab, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Search.scenic-tab.com redirects to bing.com (GIF):
Permissions asked by Scenic Tab browser hijacker:
Website promoting Scenic Tab browser hijacker:
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is Scenic Tab?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Scenic Tab application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Scenic Tab browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove search.scenic-tab.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove search.scenic-tab.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Scenic 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 (which cause browser redirects to the search.scenic-tab.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Scenic Tab browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove Scenic 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 "Scenic 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 "Scenic Tab", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.scenic-tab.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.scenic-tab.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.scenic-tab.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 "Scenic 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 "Scenic Tab", remove hxxp://search.scenic-tab.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.scenic-tab.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.scenic-tab.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 visit search.scenic-tab.com website?
By redirecting users to search.scenic-tab.com, the operators may aim to generate traffic, increase ad revenue, or potentially gather user data for advertising or other purposes.
Is visiting search.scenic-tab.com a threat to my privacy?
Search.scenic-tab.com may collect user information, including browsing habits, search queries, and other data, without explicit consent. This unauthorized data harvesting can compromise user privacy and lead to various risks, such as targeted advertising, identity theft, or other malicious activities.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers can gain access to computers through various means, including software bundling, phishing campaigns, compromised websites, deceptive advertisements, P2P networks, third-party stores, etc.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Scenic Tab browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner can remove all browser-hijacking applications from your computer. Keep in mind that manual removal may not be foolproof, especially when dealing with multiple hijackers designed to reinstall each other.
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