Removing software that generates redirects to energyprotab.com

What kind of website is energyprotab.com?

Energyprotab.com is the address of a fake search engine that we discovered promoted by the Energy Pro Tab browser hijacker. This extension is endorsed as a tool that allows users to customize their browser tabs and support green energy initiatives. Instead, Energy Pro Tab makes changes to browser settings, generates redirects, and collects sensitive browsing data.

Energy Pro Tab browser hijacker overview

Energy Pro Tab assigns energyprotab.com as browsers' homepages, default search engines, and new tabs/windows. Hence, users can get redirected to this fake search engine.

Most sites of this kind cannot generate search results, so they redirect to legitimate search engines. Energyprotab.com is no exception, and it leads to the Bing search engine (bing.com). Note that it could lead elsewhere, as factors like user geolocation may impact redirects.

Additionally, browser-hijacking software commonly utilizes persistence-ensuring mechanisms, such as denying access to removal-related settings or undoing user-made changes – to complicate its removal and prevent browser recovery.

Furthermore, Energy Pro Tab has data-tracking abilities. Browser hijackers usually target the following data: URLs visited, webpages viewed, search queries typed, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related information, and so on. This vulnerable data can be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.

To summarize, software like Energy Pro Tab may cause system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Energy Pro Tab
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Energy Pro Tab
Supposed Functionality	Tool for customizing new browser tabs and supporting green energy initiatives.
Promoted URL	energyprotab.com
Detection Names (energyprotab.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (energyprotab.com)	104.21.32.145
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 examined numerous browser hijackers; Anime Nook, Lax Search, and HotSearch are just a few of our newest articles on this software.

Browser hijackers usually appear useful and offer various functionalities. However, these features seldom work as advertised, and in most cases – they are utterly nonoperational. Keep in mind that even if a piece of software works as indicated by its promotional material – that alone is not proof of legitimacy or safety.

How did Energy Pro Tab install on my computer?

We obtained Energy Pro Tab from its "official" promotional webpage. Deceptive sites are commonly used to endorse browser hijackers. These pages are primarily accessed via redirects generated by websites using rogue advertising networks, intrusive adverts, misspelled URLs, spam browser notifications, or installed adware.

Browser-hijacking software can also be bundled with regular programs. The threat of unintentionally permitting access for bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and by treating installations with negligence (e.g., ignoring terms, using "Easy/Express" settings, etc.).

Browser hijackers are proliferated by intrusive advertisements as well. When clicked on, some of these ads can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We highly recommend researching software prior to downloading or purchasing. Additionally, all downloads must be made from official and verified channels. Installation processes have to be approached with caution by reading terms, exploring available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all supplementary apps, extensions, features, etc.

We also advise vigilance while browsing, as fraudulent and dangerous online content usually appears legitimate and innocuous. For example, while intrusive advertisements may look harmless – they redirect to unreliable and questionable websites (e.g., gambling, scam-promoting, adult dating, pornography, etc.).

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

Appearance of energyprotab.com redirecting to the Bing search engine (GIF):

Permissions asked by Energy Pro Tab browser hijacker:

Website promoting Energy Pro Tab browser hijacker:

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

Energy Pro 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.

Energy Pro Tab browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove Energy Pro 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 "Energy Pro 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 "Energy Pro Tab", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.energyprotab.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 "energyprotab.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 energy pro tab browser hijacker, 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 "Energy Pro 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 "Energy Pro Tab", remove hxxp://energyprotab.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 energy pro tab browser hijacker 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 energy pro tab browser hijacker, 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 energyprotab.com website?

The reason behind developing software that causes rogue redirects is profit. In other words, the developers/publishers generate revenue through redirects to websites like energyprotab.com.

Is visiting energyprotab.com a threat to my privacy?

To a certain extent, yes. Sites classified as fake search engines (e.g., energyprotab.com, etc.) typically collect information about their visitors. This data can then be sold to third-parties.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are most commonly distributed via deceptive promotional webpages, bundled installers, online scams, freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Energy Pro Tab browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan systems and eliminate detected browser-hijacking apps. Manual removal (unaided by security tools) might be ineffective, particularly when multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system. In these cases, after one is removed – the others may reinstall it. With browser-hijacking software installed, access to removal-related settings might be denied. Hence, it is paramount to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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