Removing the "AI Tab Optimizer Plus" malicious browser extension
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of software is AI Tab Optimizer Plus?
AI Tab Optimizer Plus is a malicious browser extension endorsed as an AI-based tab optimization tool. Instead, this rogue software spies on users' browsing activity and collects sensitive data.
AI Tab Optimizer Plus had been an operational extension titled "Tabs To The Front" that was sold by its developer. The new owners updated it, and the extension lost its original functionality and gained data-tracking abilities.
AI Tab Optimizer Plus browser extension overview
AI Tab Optimizer Plus has been observed being promoted on the Chrome Web Store. However, as mentioned in the introduction, this extension may appear on Chrome browsers if the user had installed the "Tabs To The Front" extension at some point.
"Tabs To The Front" was a piece of legitimate software that switched to a new tab once it was opened (rather than remaining on the original tab). However, the genuine browser extension was sold by its developer, and the new owners modified it.
The update renamed "Tabs To The Front" to "AI Tab Optimizer Plus", and its tab-switching functionality was removed. In its place, the extension had data-tracking abilities added.
"AI Tab Optimizer Plus" can monitor browsing activity for visits to certain websites and interactions (unspecified in the code). Hence, when a user accesses a site of interest and performs a specific action (e.g., presses a button, etc.) – the extension starts gathering information. What data this software seeks is currently unknown.
Generally, malicious extensions target browsing and search engine histories, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, credit card numbers, etc. This vulnerable information can be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.
In summary, the presence of software like AI Tab Optimizer Plus on devices may result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | AI Tab Optimizer Plus unwanted extension |
| Threat Type | Malicious Extension, Unwanted Extension |
| Browser Extension(s) | AI Tab Optimizer Plus |
| Distribution Methods | Stealthy updates, dubious websites, malicious installers, deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), torrent file downloads. |
| Additional Information | Legitimate "Tabs To The Front" extension was sold, and the new developers modified it to "AI Tab Optimizer Plus". They removed the original tab-switching functionality and added data-tracking abilities. |
| 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. |
Malicious browser extension examples
Page-error.com official extension, fake Save to Google Drive, profilingTime, PassengerPigeon, and MagnaEngine are just some examples of malicious extensions we have investigated recently. Rogue browser extensions most commonly operate as either adware or browser hijackers.
Users are typically lured into downloading/installing by promises of various handy functionalities. However, these functions seldom work as advertised, and in most cases – they are utterly nonoperational. It must be stressed that functional features do not prove a software's legitimacy or safety.
How did AI Tab Optimizer Plus install on my computer?
At the time of research , AI Tab Optimizer Plus was available on the Chrome Web Store. Yet this extension could been installed on Google Chrome as "Tabs To The Front". This browser extension was a legitimate and operational tool. However, Tabs To The Front extension's initial functionality was exchanged for data-tracking – following its sale.
It is possible that AI Tab Optimizer Plus is promoted used other methods as well. Malicious extensions can have "official" promotional webpages, and they are endorsed on scam sites. These pages are mainly accessed via redirects generated by websites using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, intrusive advertisements, misspelled URLs, and installed adware.
The bundling marketing technique – packing regular program installation setups with unwanted/malicious additions – is also used to proliferate such extensions.
Downloading from freeware and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other suspicious sources – poses a threat of bundled content infiltrating the device. This risk is further compounded by treating installation processes with negligence (e.g., ignoring terms, skipping steps, using "Easy/Express" settings, etc.).
Intrusive adverts spread unwanted software as well. Some of the ads can be triggered (i.e., by being clicked) to execute scripts that perform downloads/installations without user consent.
How to avoid installation of unwanted software?
We advise researching software and downloading it only from official/verified channels. Installation processes must be treated with caution, e.g., by reading terms, studying available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all additional apps, extensions, features, etc.
Another recommendation is to be vigilant while browsing since fraudulent and malicious online content usually appears legitimate and innocuous. For example, while intrusive advertisements may look harmless – they redirect users to unreliable and questionable websites (e.g., pornography, dating, scam-promoting, gambling, etc.).
In case of continuous encounters with such adverts/redirects, inspect the system and immediately remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with AI Tab Optimizer Plus, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this rogue software.
Screenshot of the permissions requested by AI Tab Optimizer Plus:
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 AI Tab Optimizer Plus?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted 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.
Unwanted software 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 rogue extensions from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
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 "AI Tab Optimizer Plus" and all other suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ai tab optimizer plus unwanted extension, 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 suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ai tab optimizer plus unwanted extension 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 ai tab optimizer plus unwanted extension, 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 AI Tab Optimizer Plus cause?
AI Tab Optimizer Plus is considered a privacy threat; thus, it carries risks of severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft. However, this browser extension could possess other harmful capabilities associated with system infection threats.
What does AI Tab Optimizer Plus do?
AI Tab Optimizer Plus has data-tracking functionalities; it seeks specific data from particular websites (no details on its targets are currently unavailable). In general, malicious extensions collect browsing histories, Internet cookies, log-in credentials, personally identifiable data, credit card numbers, and other vulnerable information.
How did AI Tab Optimizer Plus infiltrate my computer?
If you have "Tabs To The Front" installed on your browser, it would be the origin of AI Tab Optimizer Plus. Tabs To The Front was sold; the new owners eliminated its original functionality and added malicious features. However, AI Tab Optimizer Plus could have infiltrated your device through other means, e.g., bundled installers, freeware or third-party sites, P2P sharing networks, online scams, intrusive ads, spam browser notifications, etc.
Will Combo Cleaner remove rogue software?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate installed unwanted/malicious software. Keep in mind that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might not be an ideal solution. In some cases, after the software has been manually removed – various remnants (files) stay hidden within the system. The remaining components can continue to run and cause issues. Hence, it is crucial to eliminate undesirable software thoroughly.
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