Remove Search.movies-tab.com virus (Tutorial) - Easy Removal Guide
Search.movies-tab.com should not be trusted
Search.movies-tab.com or movies-tab.com are websites related to questionable application that allows watching latest movies online for free. We won’t talk about the legitimacy of this tool, but we can ensure that the installation of this extension leads to numerous browsing-related problems.
The Movies Tab extension is classified as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that operates as a browser hijacker. It has an official website and is available on Chrome Web Store.[1] If you decide to install this program (not recommended), you will receive a confirmation pop-up telling that this add-on can:
- Read and change your data on movies-tab.com
- Replace the page you see when opening a new tab
Even though the official site does not include the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy on the official website, the latter document is included in Chrome store. It links to Personal Browser Privacy Policy which is a search tool created by Babylon Ltd. This company is known for creating numerous browser hijackers, such as Babylon Toolbar.
However, apart from legit download sources, the application might end up on the browser unnoticed with the help of software bundle. Due to this distribution method, it is often referred to as Search.movies-tab.com virus. However, it does not deserve such strong title. It’s only a potentially unwanted program that might:
- alter browser’s homepage, default search engine, and new tab URL address;
- display questionable ads;
- redirect to commercial or promotional websites aggressively;
- include sponsored links into search results page;
- track information about users;
- prevent Search.movies-tab.com removal.
After the Search.movies-tab.com hijack, the program quickly alters some system and browser settings in order to prevent users from uninstalling it easily. Additionally, these changes are needed to display third-party ads and initiate redirects.
The Search.movies-tab.com redirect virus helps to generate revenue for the developers from user’s clicks on ads and visits to third-party sites. It goes without saying that authors of the program want to make as much income as possible and put user’s experience to the second plan.
However, there might be few threats as well. Some ads or redirects might lead to potentially dangerous websites that are created for spreading malware[2] or trying to get user’s personal information. Thus, it’s better to remove Search.movies-tab.com with ReimageIntego if it sneaked into your device unnoticed.
Search.movies-tab.com virus is a browser hijacker that pretends to be a legit free video streaming platform.
Distribution methods of the browser extension
We have mentioned about three ways how users can directly or indirectly install the application:
- the official website;
- Chrome Web Store;
- software bundling.
The latter method is tricky because users might be tricked into installing unwanted add-on without even realizing. It might be included in software packages as an optional component and hidden under Quick/Standard settings. For this reason, using these installation settings is not recommended.
Security experts from Los Virus[3] advise using Advanced/Custom settings to avoid accidental installation of browser hijackers, adware or other PUPs. The wizard will reveal “optional downloads” and allow unmarking the ticks to stop their installation.
Terminate Search.movies-tab.com from the browser
Of course, you have to uninstall Movies Tab extension from the browser. However, it may not be enough to remove Search.movies-tab.com entirely. You have to remove suspicious plugins that might have been installed without your knowledge too, reset the browsers, and of course, make sure that any unknown programs were not installed on the system.
You can follow Search.movies-tab.com removal guide below if you want to get rid of this cyber threat manually. However, you can speed up the process and opt for the automatic elimination.
You may remove virus damage with a help of ReimageIntego. 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.
To remove Search.movies-tab.com virus, follow these steps:
Eliminate Search.movies-tab.com from Windows systems
Follow these steps to remove Search.movies-tab.com virus and its components from Windows OS entirely:
To remove Search.movies-tab.com virus from Windows 10/8 machines, please follow these steps:
- Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
- From the list, find entries related to Search.movies-tab.com virus (or any other recently installed suspicious program).
- Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
- If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
- Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK.
If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
- At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
- In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
- Click OK once the removal process is finished.
Remove Search.movies-tab.com from Mac OS X system
This guide will help you to find and delete all components related to the browser hijacker from Mac OS X:
If your macOS is displaying some infection symptoms, proceed with the following guide:
Remove Search.movies-tab.com virus from Applications folder:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for Search.movies-tab.com virus-related entries.
- Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)
To fully remove Search.movies-tab.com virus, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
- In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries related to Search.movies-tab.com virus and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the Search.movies-tab.com virus-related entries.
Erase Search.movies-tab.com from Internet Explorer (IE)
Remove dangerous add-ons:
- Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
- Pick Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for Search.movies-tab.com virus and other suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.
Change your homepage if it was altered:
- Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
- Select Internet Options.
- In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
- Click Apply and then select OK.
Delete temporary files:
- Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
- Under Browsing history, click Delete…
- Select relevant fields and press Delete.
Reset Internet Explorer:
- Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
- Select Reset.
- In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset again to complete Search.movies-tab.com virus removal.
Get rid of Search.movies-tab.com virus 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 Search.movies-tab.com virus-related extension and click on the Gear icon.
- Click on Uninstall at the bottom.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select everything (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.
Reset MS Edge if that 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.
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.
- Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
- Right-click on them and pick Delete
- Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- 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
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 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.
Delete Search.movies-tab.com 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 plugins that are related to Search.movies-tab.com virus and click Remove.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Options.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data…
- Select Cookies and Site Data, as well as Cached Web Content and press Clear.
In case Search.movies-tab.com virus did not get removed after following the instructions above, 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 – this should complete Search.movies-tab.com virus removal.
Uninstall Search.movies-tab.com from Google Chrome
Open Chrome's extensions and look up for Movies Tab. You should also look up for Babylon Toolbar, Personal Browser and similar entries that may have been installed without your knowledge. Then reset the browser.
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 the suspicious plugins that might be related to Search.movies-tab.com virus 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.
If the above-methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the Search.movies-tab.com virus-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 to complete Search.movies-tab.com virus removal.
Eliminate Search.movies-tab.com from Safari
Remove unwanted extensions from Safari:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension related to Search.movies-tab.com virus and select Uninstall.
Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- Go to Advanced tab.
- Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches.
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 Search.movies-tab.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: ReimageIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
Access your website securely from any location
When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.
If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like Private Internet Access can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.
Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks
While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files. More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.
Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, Data Recovery Pro can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection.
- ^ Michael Mimoso. Google Busy Removing More Malicious Chrome Extensions from Web Store. Threat Post. Security news.
- ^ Graham Cluley. Forbes Website Used to Spread Malware – But What Can Other Businesses Learn?. Tripwire. Cybersecurity solutions .
- ^ Los Virus. Los Virus. Spanish cyber security news.
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