How to eliminate software generating redirects to carthemetab.com

What kind of website is carthemetab.com?

Carthemetab.com is a fake search engine, a type of page presented as an Internet search site that cannot actually provide search results. We discovered this website while analyzing Car Theme Tab.

The browser extension promises to display browser wallpapers depicting automobiles. However, it modifies browsers and generates redirects to carthemetab.com. Due to this behavior, Car Theme Tab is considered a browser hijacker.

It is noteworthy that this extension could promote other fraudulent search engines, and carthemetab.com could be endorsed by different browser hijackers as well.

Car Theme Tab browser hijacker overview

Usually, browser-hijacking software modifies browsers by reassigning their default search engines, homepages, and new tab/window URLs to the addresses of promoted websites. Car Theme Tab also works in this fashion. Hence, with this extension installed: Web searches performed via the URL bar and new browser tabs/windows opened – result in redirects to the carthemetab.com page.

In most cases, fake search engines cannot generate search results, so they lead users to genuine Internet search sites. During our analysis, carthemetab.com redirected to the Yahoo search engine (search.yahoo.com). It is worth mentioning that this webpage could lead elsewhere, as redirects might be influenced by factors like user geolocation.

Additionally, browser hijackers commonly prevent browser recovery by using persistence-ensuring mechanisms (e.g., denying access to removal-related settings, undoing user-made changes, implementing the "Managed by your organization" Chrome feature, etc.).

Furthermore, this software typically spies on users' browsing activity, and this might be true of Car Theme Tab. Collected data may include: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related information, etc. This vulnerable data can then be shared with or sold to third-parties.

To summarize, browser-hijacking software is associated with system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Car Theme Tab
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Car Theme Tab
Supposed Functionality	Car-themed browser wallpapers
Promoted URL	carthemetab.com
Detection Names (carthemetab.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (carthemetab.com)	18.160.225.102
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 and fake search engine examples

Recipesearchstore.com, news-tab.com, Bookmark Plus New Tab, yogadailyfitness.com, and Bookmark Start are just some examples of browser hijackers and fake search engines.

Software of this kind and the webpages it endorses – appear ordinary and innocuous. They can also offer a wide variety of "useful" features. However, these functions seldom work as advertised, and in most cases – they are completely nonoperational.

It must be emphasized that functional features alone do not prove the legitimacy or safety of applications, browser extensions, or websites.

How did Car Theme Tab install on my computer?

We obtained Car Theme Tab from its "official" promotional webpage. In addition to such pages, browser hijackers are pushed by scam websites. Most visitors enter these webpages via redirects caused by intrusive ads, sites utilizing rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, mistyped URLs, and installed adware.

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

Intrusive adverts proliferate this software as well. Once clicked on, some of the advertisements can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

It is important to always research software before downloading or purchasing it. All downloads must be performed from official and verified sources. When installing, we recommend reading terms, studying available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all supplementary apps, extensions, features, etc.

Another recommendation is to be vigilant while browsing since fake and dangerous online content usually appears legitimate and innocuous. For example, despite their harmless appearance – intrusive ads redirect to unreliable and questionable sites (e.g., scam-promoting, gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.).

In case of continuous encounters with advertisements/redirects of this kind, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Car Theme Tab, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Appearance of carthemetab.com redirecting to the Yahoo search engine (GIF):

Permissions asked by Car Theme Tab browser hijacker:

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

Car Theme 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.

Car Theme Tab browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove Car Theme 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 "Car Theme 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 "Car Theme Tab", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.carthemetab.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 "carthemetab.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 car theme 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 "Car Theme 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 "Car Theme Tab", remove hxxp://carthemetab.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 car theme 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 car theme 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.

Post a comment:
If you have additional information on car theme tab browser hijacker or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users to visit carthemetab.com website?

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

Is visiting carthemetab.com a threat to my privacy?

To a certain extent, yes. Sites like carthemetab.com usually collect (and sell) information about their visitors.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Prevalent distribution methods include: bundled installation setups, 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 Car Theme Tab browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan systems and eliminate installed browser-hijacking apps. It is noteworthy that manual removal (performed without the aid of security software) might be ineffective. In cases where multiple browser hijackers are present, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. What is more, removal-related settings might be unmodifiable when this software is installed. Therefore, it is essential to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

▼ Show Discussion