How to eliminate search.mycooltab.com from hijacked browsers

What is search.mycooltab.com?

During our examination of search.mycooltab.com we found that it is a fake search engine promoted through an extension that functions as a browser hijacker. This extension manipulates browser settings to redirect users to search.mycooltab.com. Users should remove search.mycooltab.com and the associated extension to avoid potential issues.

My Cool Tab browser hijacker overview

Search.mycooltab.com is classified as a fake search engine because it does not generate search results. Upon entering a search query, search.mycooltab.com redirects to bing.com (users receive results from a legitimate search engine). It is advisable to avoid using fake search engines.

Using them can lead users to untrustworthy search engines (or other pages). Results provided by shady search engines can contain misleading ads, links to phishing pages, sites hosting malware or other unwanted software, technical support scams, fake giveaways, etc. They may trick users into disclosing sensitive information, transferring money to scammers, downloading harmful software, or taking other actions.

As mentioned in the introduction, search.mycooltab.com is promoted via a browser hijacker (called My Cool Tab). Upon being added, My Cool Tab sets search.mycooltab.com as the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page. It may not allow users to remove search.mycooltab.com from these settings while it is present/added.

Moreover, search.mycooltab.com My Cool Tab may be designed to gather various data. This can include information such as search queries, browsing history, visited websites. In addition, they might gather sensitive details that can be sold to third parties or used in other ways that compromise user privacy and security.

Overall, users should remove any browser hijackers and fake search engines that are present to avoid negative consequences.

Threat Summary:

Name	My Cool Tab
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	My Cool Tab
Supposed Functionality	Enhanced browsing experience
Promoted URL	search.mycooltab.com
Detection Names (search.mycooltab.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (search.mycooltab.com)	104.21.17.122
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. ▼ 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.

Conclusion

In conclusion, fake search engines often serve as tools for redirecting users to potentially harmful sites. They can compromise user privacy, degrade the browsing experience, and expose users to privacy and security risks. It is important to avoid such search engines and use reputable, secure search tools like Google to avoid various risks.

Some examples of fake search engines are adqor.io, searchresultsadblocker.com, and naturethemetab.com.

How did My Cool Tab install on my computer?

Browser hijackers are distributed in various ways. One of them is including these extensions in software bundles. Users agree to add/install browser hijackers when they install free or unreliable software without rejecting unwanted offers that can usually be found under "Advanced", "Custom", or similar settings, or alongside ticked checkboxes.

Also, browser hijackers can be added/installed through downloads from P2P networks, unofficial app stores (or websites), third-party downloaders, and similar sources. Additionally, these extensions can infiltrate browsers via deceptive advertisements, pop-ups, and notifications from shady sites.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

Download software from official websites and app stores. Remember that other channels can be used to distribute unwanted and even malicious programs. Avoid interacting with buttons, links, pop-ups, and ads on questionable sites, and do not allow web pages of this kind to send you notifications. Keep all software and the operating system up to date.

During installations, look for unwanted offers and deselect them using the available settings/options. Lastly, use a reputable security program and regularly scan your computer for unwanted software. If your computer is already infected with My Cool Tab, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Search.mycooltab.com redirects to bing.com (GIF):

Permissions asked by My Cool Tab browser hijacker:

Website promoting My Cool Tab browser hijacker:

Screenshot of another browser-hijacking extension (My Tab) promoting search.mycooltab.com:

Screenshot of a deceptive website promoting My 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 search.mycooltab.com?
• STEP 1. Uninstall My Cool Tab application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove My Cool Tab browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove search.mycooltab.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove search.mycooltab.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

My Cool 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.mycooltab.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

My Cool Tab browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove My Cool 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 "My Cool 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 "My Cool Tab", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.mycooltab.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.mycooltab.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 my cool 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 "My Cool 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 "My Cool Tab", remove hxxp://search.mycooltab.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 my cool 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 my cool 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 my cool 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 visit search.mycooltab.com website?

Forcing users to visit search.mycooltab.com allows its creators to generate more revenue by monetizing user traffic.

Is visiting search.mycooltab.com a threat to my privacy?

Yes, visiting search.mycooltab.com can be a threat to your privacy. The site may collect and misuse personal data such as your browsing history and search queries. It might also redirect you to other potentially harmful sites.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are often bundled with free or unreliable software, installed when users fail to deselect unwanted offers during setup. They can also be distributed through P2P networks, unofficial app stores, third-party downloaders, and deceptive ads or pop-ups on dubious sites.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove My Cool Tab browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will thoroughly scan your computer and remove any browser-hijacking applications. Manual removal may not be entirely effective, as some hijackers can reinstall each other (if there is more than one hijacker present), and the issue may not be resolved until all hijackers are fully removed.

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