Remove Search.mediatabtv.online (Easy Removal Guide)

Search.mediatabtv.online is a browser hijacker that seeks to obtain user's Search Data

Search.mediatabtv.online is a dubious search provider that is usually related to browser-hijacking activity on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or another used browser. Just as many other potentially unwanted programs,^[1] this one is usually travels within software bundles, hence users rarely spot the infiltration.

Once installed, the app changes browsers' homepage and new tab URL, also applying a customized search engine which, once used, would insert promotional links at the top (making users likely to click on them than the organic results). Finally, PUPs are also commonly programmed to track online user activities to provide targeted ads, resulting in more profits for those involved. Unfortunately, users see little to no benefit from such apps, so we highly recommend you not use it.

Name	Search.mediatabtv.online
Type	Browser hijacker, PUP
Danger level	Low (cannot harm the system directly. However, can expose users to potentially dangerous content)
Distribution	Software bundling
Symptoms	Replaces start page with its own one, alters search engine, new tab window, promotes MyFirstTab search. Also, triggers unusual web browser's behavior – excessive ads, random redirects, text turning into hyperlinks, etc.
Web browsers affected	Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Safari, and Opera
Elimination	Uninstall potentially unwanted apps by following our guidelines below
Browser fix	You should clean your web browsers – use Fortect Intego for a quick fix

The app is distributed in the form of a web browser extension alongside other free programs. That could be a download manager or software update installer, the developer of which seeks to generate revenue from bundling. If the browser hijacker manages to infiltrate the system stealthily, it initiates designated changes on the system. Some of the changes can hardly be noticed, while the others can hardly be unnoticed:

Hijacks Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge or another web browser that is currently set by default;
It replaces the default search site with http://search.mediatabtv.online/api/search-redirect?t=.
The primary search engine is substituted with MyFirstTab.
The new tab URL redirects to a preset domain all the time.
The hijacker can also inject third-party toolbars;
The increment of ads can be noticed (commercial ads, software promotions, free update downloads, etc.);
Web browser's redirects to misleading third-party domains;

Those who have already found their web browsers compromised by this PUP should run a scan with SpyHunter Combo Cleaner or another reputable anti-virus to remove it asap. The purpose of this dubious search is to generate revenue from shady marketing campaigns.

The avirus.hu^[2] team has revealed that the Search.mediatabtv.online may be inclined to display potentially dangerous content. A well-protected operating system and updated web browser should block any content of this search by displaying the following pop-up alert at the top-right corner of the screen:

Insecure content blocked
This page is trying to load scripts from unauthenticated sources.

The user of the website can unblock the content by clicking the Load unsafe scripts link. However, we would do not recommend that. The insecure scrips are served from HTTP servers^[3] and might be related to trackers, malicious ads, or other content that might expose your PC at risk of malware infection or data leakage.

Those who can use this search at ease should not trust it even though it displays adapted Yahoo-based search results. It may display links to potentially dangerous web domains or try to generate pay-per-click revenue by flooding the search results with annoying pop-up ads.

The usage of tracking cookies and web beacons is yet another reason that should induce you to remove Search.mediatabtv.online. Keep in mind that it can collect your browsing history and other information, including personal, that you disclose when searching the web. Although it can hardly steal banking information or passwords, there's a high risk of disclosing your email IP address, email address, your name, or telephone number to third parties.

Luckily, PUP can be initiated in a couple of minutes. One of the options is to run a scan with Fortect Intego and leave the rest of the work for this security tool. The other way is to eliminate it manually. If you prefer this method, you are free to use a step-by-step guide provided below this article.

Browser hijackers spread appended to freeware

Some of the PUPs known as browser hijackers are distributed on official websites and other legitimate sources, such as Windows App Store or Mac App Store. However, sooner or later, they are reported for suspicious behavior and banned from legitimate sources.

To keep circulating on the web, such and similar PUPs are then bundled with freeware and distributed stealthily. The main reason why so many people still fall for the bundling trick is their inattentiveness. Beware that by selecting Quick or Recommended installation, you inadvertently agree with installing the whole software package, including web browser's extension, add-ons, or other tools.

To keep the system protected, you have to follow a secure freeware installation scheme. First of all, make sure that the developer of the freeware and its download source is reliable. Second of all, opt for Advanced or Custom installation. Third of all, unmark each premarked freeware's component.

Delete Search.mediatabtv.online in two ways

If you've been tricked to install potentially malicious web browser's extension, don't ignore its presence because it may open the backdoor for other malware and expose you to potentially dangerous or even malicious content.

PUP removal does not require specific IT knowledge. You can pick up the help of trustworthy anti-malware utility or perform the removal manually by following the steps provided below.

NOTE: neither manual nor automatic Search.mediatabtv.online removal cleans up the web browser. Therefore, to eliminate third-party cookies and misleading search site from Chrome, Firefox or another browser, make sure to reset its settings.

Uninstall from Windows

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.

Remove the unwanted program:

In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.

Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).

Delete leftover files and folders:

Select Go > Go to Folder.
Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.
Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
Click Remove.

Clear cookies and other browser data:

Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
Then find On startup section.
Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
Select Details tab.
Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and site data:

Click on Menu and go to Settings.
Select Privacy, search and services.
Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
Under Time range, pick All time.
Select Clear now.

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

Click on Menu and select Settings.
On the left side, pick Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values.
Confirm with Reset.
This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
Select Add-ons.
In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.

Reset the homepage:

Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
Choose Settings.
Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.

Clear cookies and site data:

Click Menu and pick Settings.
Go to Privacy & Security section.
Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
Click on Clear Data...
Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.
Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.

Remove from Google Chrome

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

Click on Menu and pick Settings.
Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
Click Clear data.

Change your homepage:

Click menu and choose Settings.
Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.

Reset Google Chrome:

If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:

Click on Menu and select Settings.
In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
Confirm with Reset settings.

Delete from Safari

Remove dangerous extensions:

Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.

Clear history and website data:

Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.

Reset Safari:

Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.

How to remove Search.mediatabtv.online

Search.mediatabtv.online is a browser hijacker that seeks to obtain user's Search Data

Browser hijackers spread appended to freeware