Games4Tab.com might appear on your browsers unexpectedly

Games4Tab.com is a browser hijacker and a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that meets the description of a spyware-type program[1]. Once installed, the app changes the web address of the homepage and the new tab and appends a customized search engine. This would help the hijacker to collect user data and deliver advertisements at the top of search results, earning money to developers in the process.
In the meantime, people might be compelled by the theme of the app – online games. However, you don't need to have your browser hijacked in order to find games online – there are plenty of alternatives available.
If this application did not get installed by you and came within a software bundle, you should wait no more and delete it from your computer, as it does not provide any real benefits for your searches or online experience.
| Name | Games4Tab.com |
| Type | Browser hijacker |
| Distribution | Software bundles, deceptive ads, third parties |
| Symptoms | Replaces homepage and new tab URL with its own; applies a customized search engine; inserts sponsored links into search results |
| Uninstall | You can get rid of the browser hijacker by either scanning the device with antivirus software or following manual instructions |
| System fix | After the elimination of adware or malware, we highly recommend running a scan with FortectIntego repair software |
Although the app cannot collect personally identifiable information[2] (unless the user permits it to do so), it is a free app that collects certain data about user’s browsing habits to analyze the online user behavior; this data is later used to deliver customized advertisements[3].
This redirect virus collects the user’s IP address, browser type, and language, content from available cookies from the app, search and browsing history, and other browsing-related data. The privacy policy of this potentially unwanted program discloses that it also allows third parties, affiliates, and ad networks to place sponsored content on or via the Games4Tab.com site.
Considering that the indicated website hosts a web search engine, it becomes clear how these advertisements will be delivered to you. We suggest removing the Games4Tab.com browser hijacker and revert your browser’s settings back because the aforementioned search tool is completely untrustworthy. You will have to encounter many sponsored search results, which will likely take you to unreliable sites.
Unless you want to spend your time wandering around insecure places on the Internet, we suggest you begin cleaning your PC from components of this browser hijacker. The fastest method to get rid of it is to run a scan with anti-spyware[4], anti-malware, or advanced antivirus program (you can employ SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes), but of course, you can try to delete this hijacker manually.
We have prepared a detailed tutorial on how to uninstall this hijacker manually as well – simply follow the steps below the article. Keep in mind that it is extremely important to clean your web browsers correctly, or the ads might return. We recommend FortectIntego for the job.
Most users don't install hijackers intentionally
In most cases, users cannot remember installing one or another potentially unwanted program, which is completely common. Users can’t remember installing unknown programs mainly because they tend to install freeware in a rush. This way, they hop over important statements provided by software installers. Almost every free program suggests installing additional third-party programs because it is an effective method to force users to install unwanted software.
You can decompose bundleware[5] by choosing Custom or Advanced settings and deselecting ticks next to suggested programs that you do not want to install. That is the only modification that you need to make in the installation wizard. You may also want to read legal documents that the installer typically provides (at least it should).
Get rid of all potentially unwanted programs for a better browsing experience
In case your PC has been affected by Games4Tab.com hijack, take actions immediately. There is no reason to panic because this PUP is not malicious; however, there is a high probability that you installed more spyware or malware applications alongside it (for example, a related hijacker start.prss.to) or earlier.
Therefore, we suggest choosing the most effective PUP removal method – the automated one. Simply install an anti-malware software and run a system scan with it to catch and eliminate all suspicious files from your system. Of course, if you are sure that the system is clean and that the only infection is the discussed browser hijacker, you may want to remove the virus manually using the instructions below.
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.

Did this guide help?
4 comments
sharam
Games4Tab didnt fulfil my expectations, so I removed it. I didnt want to change by browsers homepage, and thats it.
pac
Very useful instructions, I have removed Games4Tab.com virus manually. Great!
Can stand annoying hijackers
ahhhhh! such a relief to browse without Games4Tab.com in my browser. Thank you, thank you thank you!
MunichKing
I hate Games4Tab.com! It didnt work as expected.