How to remove search.media-tab.com and Vids Tab from browsers
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is search.media-tab.com?
We have tested search.media-tab.com and found that it is a fake search engine. This fake search engine is promoted via an extension called Vids Tab, which is a browser hijacker. The app promoting search.media-tab.com hijacks a browser by changing its settings. Affected users should remove the Vids Tab and the associated URL from their browsers.
Vids Tab browser hijacker overview
Once a browser is hijacked by Vids Tab, search.media-tab.com is set as the default search engine, homepage, and new tab. This means that every time a browser (or a new tab) is opened and a search query is entered, users are forced to visit search.media-tab.com. From search.media-tab.com, users are redirected to google.com, a legitimate search engine.
Since search.media-tab.com does not provide results, we classified it as a fake search engine. Users are advised to avoid using/visiting fake search engines due to potential risks. For instance, fake search engines can direct users to unreliable search engines or other untrustworthy sites.
By using fake search engines, users may land on phishing sites, web pages hosting malware or other unwanted software, and other potentially malicious sites. Additionally, fake search engines are known for gathering browsing-related data (e.g., search queries, browsing history, IP addresses) and sometimes even more personal details.
Their creators may sell the harvested information to third parties or misuse it for other purposes. Therefore, fake search engines can cause issues related to online privacy and safety. It is recommended to avoid adding apps like Vids Tab and remove browser hijackers that are already present (if present).
| Name | Vids Tab |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Vids Tab |
| Supposed Functionality | This app is supposed to provide video-related features |
| Promoted URL | search.media-tab.com |
| Detection Names (search.media-tab.com) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (search.media-tab.com) | 34.213.210.159 |
| 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. |
Browser hijackers in general
Browser hijackers are often promoted as helpful and legitimate applications to deceive users into adding them. Once added, they rarely provide the offered features and simply change the settings of browsers to promote fake search engines (or other untrustworthy sites). Such apps can cause security and performance issues.
There are numerous examples of browser hijackers. Some of them are: Are you bored?, SuperCar New Tab, and Calculator Tab.
How did Vids Tab install on my computer?
Typically, users add/install browser hijackers upon installing free or unreliable software bundled with these unwanted apps. More precisely, browsers get hijacked when users finish installations without deselecting included hijackers (without changing "Advanced", "Custom", or similar settings).
Also, apps of this type can infiltrate browsers via downloads from P2P networks, unofficial app stores, third-party downloaders, unofficial sites, and similar sources. Additionally, they can be added/installed through deceptive ads, fake download buttons, notifications from untrustworthy sites, etc.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Download from trusted sources, such as official web pages and app stores. Avoid using other sources. Choose advanced or custom settings during installations to deselect unwanted apps included in installers. Use reputable security software and regularly scan your system. Do not trust ads, buttons, pop-ups, etc., on questionable sites.
Avoid permitting suspicious pages to send notifications. Keep all apps and the operating system up to date. If your computer is already infected with Vids Tab, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Search.media-tab.com redirects to google.com (GIF):
Permissions asked by Vids Tab browser hijacker:
Website promoting Vids 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:
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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 Vids Tab?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Vids Tab application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Vids Tab browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove search.media-tab.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove search.media-tab.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Vids 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.media-tab.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Vids Tab browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove Vids 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 "Vids 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 "Vids Tab", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.media-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.media-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 vids 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 "Vids 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 "Vids Tab", remove hxxp://search.media-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 vids 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 vids 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 visit search.media-tab.com website?
The main objective of redirecting users to the search.media-tab.com website is to boost its visitor numbers. This increase in traffic can then be used for revenue generation.
Is visiting search.media-tab.com a threat to my privacy?
Yes, visiting search.media-tab.com can be a threat to your privacy as such sites often collect browsing data and other information. Also, fake search engines can lead to potentially malicious websites.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Users often install/add browser hijackers inadvertently when they install free or unreliable software bundled with these unwanted apps. Browser hijackers can also infiltrate systems through P2P networks, unofficial app stores, third-party downloaders, deceptive ads, fake download buttons, notifications from untrustworthy sites, and similar channels.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Vids Tab browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner is capable of scanning computers and removing browser hijackers. It is advisable to use tools like Combo Cleaner for this purpose, as manual removal might not always succeed, especially with multiple hijackers involved.
Outstanding!
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