How to remove travelbugtab.com from your web browser
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is travelbugtab.com?
Our analysis of travelbugtab.com revealed that it is a fake search engine promoted through a browser hijacker, an extension called Travel Bug. Users should avoid adding browser hijackers and using shady search engines to avoid exposure to potentially malicious pages, scams, and other threats. If travelbugtab.com and Travel Bug are present within a browser, they should be removed.
Travelbugtab.com overview
Travelbugtab.com appears in the settings of a web browser upon adding the Travel Bug browser hijacker. Once this extension is added, the default search engine, homepage, and new tab site are set to travelbugtab.com. Although it is supposed to be a search engine, it does not provide its own search results.
We found that when entering a search query, travelbugtab.com redirects to search.yahoo.com, a legitimate search engine. However, dubious search engines can expose users to unwanted and misleading advertisements, various scams (e.g., technical support scams, fake lotteries, giveaways), potentially malicious software, and other threats.
Therefore, it is highly advisable not to trust questionable search engines, especially those promoted through browser hijackers. Another reason to avoid them is that they may gather IP addresses, browsing history, geolocation information, and even more personal details that could be misused for malicious purposes.
It is also worth noting that users may find it difficult to remove browser hijackers and unwanted search engines. These hijackers may reappear even if users try to reset their settings or remove suspicious extensions. Users may need specialized tools or perform a thorough system cleanup to fully eliminate them.
| Name | Travel Bug |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Travel Bug |
| Supposed Functionality | This extension is supposed to provide accurate search results |
| Promoted URL | travelbugtab.com |
| Detection Names (travelbugtab.com) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (travelbugtab.com) | 173.255.233.144 |
| 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. |
Conclusion
When users encounter search engines like travelbugtab.com, that is often because they have browser hijackers added to their browsers. Users rarely add such extensions on purpose. Usually, they are tricked into it. If a browser hijacker and (or) a dubious search engine are present, they should be removed as soon as possible.
More examples of search engines like travelbugtab.com are potterfun.com, goodtosearch.com, and doktox.com.
How has Travel Bug hijacked my browser?
Browser hijackers are often promoted on dubious websites as useful extensions and users add them through these sites. Third-party downloaders, P2P networks, unofficial app stores, and misleading advertisements are also used to distribute browser hijackers. Sometimes, adware is employed to promote these extensions.
In other cases, users add browser hijackers after installing freeware or shady software bundled with these hijackers. Installers containing browser hijackers have settings like "Advanced", "Custom", or "Manual" or checkboxes, and users who leave them unchanged, agree to add browser hijackers or install other unwanted apps.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Download software and extensions from official websites or reputable app stores. During software installation, choose custom installation and uncheck any extra offers (unwanted apps). Do not click on links or pop-up ads, especially those encountered on questionable websites. Avoid allowing shady sites to send you notifications.
Keep your antivirus software, operating system, and installed applications up to date. Also, regularly scan your computer for threats and remove them if they are detected. If your computer is already infected with Travel Bug, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Travelbugtab.com redirects to search.yahoo.com (GIF)
Permissions asked by Travel Bug browser hijacker:
Official website promoting Travel Bug browser hijacker:
Deceptive website promoting the 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 Travel Bug?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Travel Bug application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Travel Bug browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove travelbugtab.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove travelbugtab.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Travel Bug 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 travelbugtab.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Travel Bug browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
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 "Travel Bug" 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 "Travel Bug", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.travelbugtab.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 "travelbugtab.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 travel bug 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 "Travel Bug", 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 "Travel Bug", remove hxxp://travelbugtab.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 travel bug 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 travel bug 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 travelbugtab.com website?
The purpose of forcing users to visit travelbugtab.com is to drive traffic to the site. This traffic can be monetized in various ways.
Is visiting travelbugtab.com a threat to my privacy?
Websites like travelbugtab.com can be designed to gather various information and expose users to scams, malware, and other threats. Thus, visiting them can pose security and privacy risks.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are often promoted on suspicious websites as useful extensions. They are also distributed through third-party downloaders, P2P networks, unofficial app stores, and misleading ads. They can also be bundled with freeware or shady software.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Travel Bug browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and remove browser hijackers. Manual removal is not always enough because some hijackers can re-add each other. In such cases, all hijackers must be removed at once.
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