How to remove freshfruittab.com from the settings of a browser
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is freshfruittab.com?
We have inspected freshfruittab.com and found it to be a fake search engine. We also discovered that freshfruittab.com is promoted through a browser hijacker, an extension called Fresh Fruit Search. Fake search engines and browser hijackers should be avoided. Thus, if freshfruittab.com and Fresh Fruit Search are present on browsers, they should be removed.
Freshfruittab.com and Fresh Fruit Search overview
Freshfruittab.com is a fake search engine because it does not generate results. Instead, when a search query using a hijacked browser is entered, freshfruittab.com redirects to bing.com. It is worth noting that bing.com is a legitimate search engine. However, freshfruittab.com should not be trusted.
Fake search engines like freshfruittab.com can promote shady websites, including unreliable search engines. Users may be exposed to phishing sites, various scams, malware, and other threats. Using fake search engines might result in privacy and security risks, as well as other issues like monetary loss.
Furhermore, freshfruittab.com is promoted via a browser hijacker, Fresh Fruit Search. This extension forces users to visit freshfruittab.com by making it the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page. It is likely that freshfruittab.com cannot be removed from a web browser while Fresh Fruit Search is added.
It is also important to note that Fresh Fruit Search can access and alter any data on freshfruittab.com, potentially stealing personal information or introducing harmful changes. The extension can also block content on any webpage, potentially preventing users from viewing certain elements or navigating the site properly.
Therefore, it is strongly advisable to avoid adding Fresh Fruit Search to browsers and remove the extension (and freshfruittab.com) if it is already present.
| Name | freshfruittab.com |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Fresh Fruit Search |
| Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
| Promoted URL | freshfruittab.com |
| Detection Names (freshfruittab.com) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| 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
In conclusion, it is important to be careful when encountering suspicious websites (fake search engines) and browser hijackers. These threats can expose users to various risks, including malware, privacy breaches, and financial loss. More examples of fake search engines are search-thrill.com, topgreenview.com, and search-great.com.
How did Fresh Fruit Search hijacked my browser?
Browser hijackers are often bundled with other (mostly free or suspicious) programs. They hijack browsers when users finish installations without deselecting them. Usually, unwanted offers are hidden in "Advanced", "Custom", or similar settings during installations or mentioned near ticked checkboxes.
Furthermore, browser hijacking can occur through deceptive advertisements, fake updates, notifications from shady sites, and similar channels. Users may also end up having their browsers hijacked through downloads from unofficial pages or app stores, P2P networks, third-party downloaders, etc.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Always download software, extensions, and apps from official websites or reputable app stores. Avoid third-party sources. During software installations, choose "Custom" or "Advanced" options to spot and reject any unwanted apps or extensions. Do not click links in suspicious emails or messages, and avoid interacting with ads and similar elements on questionable pages.
Never permit shady websites to send you notifications. Keep the operating system (and installed programs) up to date, and use a reliable security tool. If your computer is already infected with Fresh Fruit Search, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Freshfruittab.com redirects to bing.com (GIF):
Permissions asked by Fresh Fruit Search 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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Quick menu:
- What is freshfruittab.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Fresh Fruit Search application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Fresh Fruit Search browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove freshfruittab.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove freshfruittab.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Fresh Fruit Search 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 freshfruittab.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Fresh Fruit Search 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 "Fresh Fruit Search" 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 "Fresh Fruit Search", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.freshfruittab.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 "freshfruittab.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 fruit search 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 "Fresh Fruit Search", 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 "Fresh Fruit Search", remove hxxp://freshfruittab.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 fruit search 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 fruit search 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 freshfruittab.com website?
Forcing users to visit freshfruittab.com generates traffic. Higher traffic numbers can be monetized through advertising and other ways.
Is visiting freshfruittab.com a threat to my privacy?
Freshfruittab.com may track your browsing activity, steal personal information, or expose you to further security risks like malware and phishing attempts. Thus, visiting freshfruittab.com can be a threat to privacy.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are often bundled with free or suspicious programs, installed/added when users skip steps without making certain changes during installation. They can also be delivered via deceptive ads, fake updates, or downloads from unofficial sources, including P2P networks and third-party sites.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Fresh Fruit Search browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and remove browser hijackers. Manual removal may not always work, especially when multiple browser hijackers are added to a browser. In such cases, using tools like Combo Cleaner helps to completely remove all hijackers at once.
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