Combotab.com virus (Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge) - Free Instructions

Combotab.com virus Removal Guide

What is Combotab.com virus?

Combotab.com might become your default search engine without asking your permission

The image of Combotab.com

Combotab.com (alternatively known as Search.combotab.com) is a suspicious search engine that mimics the search giant Google. However, cyber security specialists suggest staying away from this program in order to protect your device and personal information.

ComboTab belongs to the group of browser hijackers[1] which are known for infiltrating computers silently with the help of various free applications that users can download from the web. The virus is spread in the form of a browser extension, and, after the hijack, it might alter browser’s settings and set its domain as startup page.

The main page of Combotab.com has shortcuts to Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and other popular social networks as well as shopping sites such as Amazon and Ebay. On the top page, users can find the similar bar as offered by Google. There’s also an expanded menu that offers quick access to other Google services, such as Drive, Play, Photos, etc. This search tool also has a weather widget that allows setting the location manually and provides all details related to a current weather forecast.

Judging from the first look, it might look like a useful and reliable program. However, if it hijacks your browser, we recommend scanning the computer with FortectIntego or other reputable anti-malware software. Updated security tools can quickly detect and remove Combotab from the PC. This browser hijacker might not only deliver tons of suspicious ads but suggest to fill numerous surveys or participate in questionable contests.

Search.Combotab.com generates results from Google search; thus, it’s quite safe to use. Usually, browser hijackers are capable of altering search results and including sponsored third-party links. It seems that authors of this tool are generating revenue in a different way. This potentially unwanted application (PUP) might deliver numerous ads on each visited website.

The illustration of Combotab.com virusCombotab.com virus might alter browser's settings and set its domain as default search engine.

Clicking on misleading ads might lead you to malware-infested[2] websites causing even more trouble on your computer. Nevertheless, ads caused by ComboTab virus might look useful and offer various great deals, so you might be tempted to check them.

Do not agree to install any updates or software that fix detected viruses. Do no try to catch an unbelievable discount. All these commercial offers might be a part of malvertising[3] campaign or redirect to questionable sites. Bear in mind that there’s no other way to avoid these ads, only Combotab removal. We want to point out that ads might be displayed on legitimate and your favorite sites; thus, they might easily trick you into clicking.

The final problem related to this suspicious search engine is described in its Privacy Policy. After the virus hijacks the system, this browser extension starts spying on users and collecting information about them. According to the document, it collects anonymous user information, such as IP address, referral data, browser, and platform type.

However, occasionally it might also collect personally identifiable information such as name, email, shipping address, zip code, age, gender, occupation and household income. If you do not want to reveal such details to an unknown company or its partners, you know what you need to do.

Infiltration techniques of the browser hijacker

The PUP spreads in bundled with freeware[4] and shareware[5] as an optional component. If you install a new program under Advanced/Custom setup, you may find this extension or pre-selected statement claiming to make the unknown site your default search engine.

It goes without saying that you need to deselect such sayings and other third-party apps offered to install together with the primary program.

However, the majority of computer users rely on Quick or Standard settings which do not openly disclose about an installation of third-party apps. As a result, all PUPs get permission to enter the system. Thus, so-called Combotab virus might have infected your computer during recent software installation. Next time be more careful!

Instructions for Combotab removal

Manual Combotab.com removal instructions are presented at the end of the article. By following them, you need to delete all programs installed on your PC, as well as browser extensions installed on web browsers. Then reset web browsers in order to delete tracking cookies and other suspicious entries.

If you follow these steps carefully, you should no longer see this search engine on your browser. However, if it still bothers you, you should scan your computer with a reputable anti-malware program and remove Combotab with its help.

You may remove virus damage with a help of FortectIntego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.

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Compatible with Microsoft Windows Compatible with macOS
What to do if failed?
If you failed to fix virus damage using Fortect Intego, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.
Fortect Intego has a free limited scanner. Fortect Intego offers more through scan when you purchase its full version. When free scanner detects issues, you can fix them using free manual repairs or you can decide to purchase the full version in order to fix them automatically.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Fortect, try running SpyHunter 5.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Intego, try running Combo Cleaner.

Getting rid of Combotab.com virus. Follow these steps

Uninstall from Windows

Our prepared manual Combotab.com removal instructions will help you to get rid of this cyber parasite. Please follow them carefully!

Instructions for Windows 10/8  machines:

  1. Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program. Uninstall from Windows 1
  3. From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
  4. Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
  5. If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
  6. Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK. Uninstall from Windows 2

If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program. Uninstall from Windows 7/XP
  3. Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
  4. At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
  5. In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
  6. Click OK once the removal process is finished.

Delete from macOS

Follow the steps below to delete browser hijacker from Mac OS X.

Remove items from Applications folder:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
  3. Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash) Uninstall from Mac 1

To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
  3. In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
  4. Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files. Uninstall from Mac 2

Remove from Microsoft Edge

Follow the instruction to delete the virus from Microsoft Edge entirely.

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

  1. Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
  2. From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
  3. Click on Uninstall at the bottom. Remove extensions from Edge

Clear cookies and other browser data:

  1. Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. Select everything (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear. Clear Edge browsing data

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

  1. Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
  2. Then find On startup section.
  3. Click Disable if you found any suspicious domain.

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

  1. Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
  3. Select Details tab.
  4. 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. Reset MS Edge

If this solution failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method. Note that you need to backup your data before proceeding.

  1. Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
  2. Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
  3. Right-click on them and pick Delete Advanced MS Edge reset 1
  4. Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
  5. When the new window opens, copy and paste the following command, and then press Enter:

    Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose Advanced MS Edge reset 2

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

  1. Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
  2. Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove. Remove extensions from Chromium Edge

Clear cache and site data:

  1. Click on Menu and go to Settings.
  2. Select Privacy, search and services.
  3. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  4. Under Time range, pick All time.
  5. Select Clear now. Clear browser data from Chroum Edge

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. On the left side, pick Reset settings.
  3. Select Restore settings to their default values.
  4. Confirm with Reset. Reset Chromium Edge

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Open the list of extensions and attentively look through it. If you see Combotab or other unknown entries, uninstall them immediately. Then, reset Mozilla Firefox as shown below.

Remove dangerous extensions:

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

Reset the homepage:

  1. Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
  2. Choose Options.
  3. Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.

Clear cookies and site data:

  1. Click Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security section.
  3. Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
  4. Click on Clear Data…
  5. Select Cookies and Site Data, as well as Cached Web Content and press Clear. Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

Reset Mozilla Firefox

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

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
  2. Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information. Reset Firefox 1
  3. Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox…
  4. Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox. Reset Firefox 2

Remove from Google Chrome

First of all, you need to remove Combotab and other suspicious apps from the Chrome's extensions. Secondly, you should reset the browser in order to get rid of tracking cookies.

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

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

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

  1. Click on Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
  3. Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
  4. Click Clear data. Clear cache and web data from Chrome

Change your homepage:

  1. Click menu and choose Settings.
  2. Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
  3. 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:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
  4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm with Reset settings. Reset Chrome 2

Delete from Safari

Follow the steps below to remove browser hijacker from the Safari entirely.

Remove unwanted extensions from Safari:

  1. Click Safari > Preferences…
  2. In the new window, pick Extensions.
  3. Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall. Remove extensions from Safari

Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:

  1. Click Safari > Clear History…
  2. From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
  3. Confirm with Clear History. Clear cookies and website data from Safari

Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:

  1. Click Safari > Preferences…
  2. Go to Advanced tab.
  3. Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  4. From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches. Reset Safari

After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware. This will help you to get rid of Combotab.com registry traces and will also identify related parasites or possible malware infections on your computer. For that you can use our top-rated malware remover: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.

How to prevent from getting stealing programs

Protect your privacy – employ a VPN

There are several ways how to make your online time more private – you can access an incognito tab. However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of Private Internet Access VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise. Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and Private Internet Access VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals. 

No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool

If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers – human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence. In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.

If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. Data Recovery Pro is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market – it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.

About the author
Gabriel E. Hall
Gabriel E. Hall - Passionate web researcher

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