Search.searchttab.com – a redirect virus that targets unprotected Windows and Mac systems

Search.searchttab.com is a dubious search tool that can hijack[1] your browser settings and alter them without your knowledge. It then causes unexpected redirects to websites that might be affiliated with its developers. Unfortunately, these URL redirects can be dangerous and land you on malicious[2] or suspicious internet pages.
There is no surprise why this hijacker acts so suspicious – it is one of Polarity Technologies, Ltd.'s products. The company is known for developing potentially unwanted programs (PUP) that replace current browser settings and force the user to use a particular search engine daily. We advise you not to use this product and will explain how to remove it.
| name | Search.searchttab.com virus |
|---|---|
| Type | Redirect virus, browser hijacker, PUP |
| Symptoms | Modified browser preferences; redirects to dubious websites; search provider is different, and the results are filled with ads; browsing speed is down |
| Risks | Exposure to untrustworthy web pages might lead to privacy issues, financial losses, installation of PUP, malware infections |
| Related extensions | TubeTab |
| Distribution | Software bundling, deceptive ads |
| Virus removal | To entirely eliminate this threat from your device, we highly advise using a reputable security tool |
| System health | When the removal is complete, scan your device with the FortectIntego PC repair software to fix any damage caused by the infection |
Browser hijackers are sneaky computer parasites that silently track victim’s online activities with the help of tracking cookies and web beacons[3]. These are inserted into the victim’s browser and used during one’s browsing sessions. They always transmit the collected data to the app developer's servers. The information may include:
- Victim’s IP address and computer geolocation;
- Search queries, browsing history;
- Clicks on ads and links;
- Device and browser details;
- Other browsing-related data.
After collecting such data about individual users, the company selects third-party ads to be displayed via victims’ web browsers. As its Privacy Policy states, they use:
Anonymous Information and Search Data to personalize and improve your use of and experience with the Services.
Sadly, all that you are going to receive is tons of sponsored entries in your search results. Clicking on them can throw you onto hazardous web pages filled with untrustworthy content. This way, you can unexpectedly download a dangerous file or access a dangerous website that might be trying to scam you.
For this reason, we highly recommend you to stop using and remove Search.searchttab.com. A quick and easy way to do it is to uninstall it using instructions prepared by our experts. We suggest that you delete the hijacker carefully because leaving some of its files on the system can pose a threat to your security or cause problems such as unexpected system errors.
To remove it even faster, consider using anti-malware software such as MalwarebytesMalwarebytes, SpyHunterCombo Cleaner, or similar that's able to detect and remove any potentially unwanted programs or even malware. When you're done, consider using the FortectIntego system diagnostics software to repair system irregularities and ensure a stable working environment.

Ways to keep browser hijackers away
It is not hard to ward browser hijackers off your computer if you know the basic rules of safe browsing. First of all, whenever you need a new program, make sure you download it from a secure and trustworthy website. We strongly suggest avoiding strange file-sharing sites overloaded with ads, banners, autoplay videos, download links, and similar content.
Such sites can be compared to a minefield – one unexpected click on a dangerous ad or a link can place spyware or malware on your PC or redirect you to a phishing or deceptive website. Second, you should not choose installation settings that are provided by the software installer as “default.”
These typically are “Default” and “Standard,” sometimes – “Express” or “Basic” installation options. Leave out these options and choose “Custom” or “Advanced” settings instead. These will expand the list of additional programs or browser extensions bundled with the main software and give you a chance to deselect them.
Remove Search.searchttab.com from an infected computer
In case you already compromised your browsers, and you need to remove Search.searchttab.com virus now, choose which method you want to use – the manual or the automatic one. The manual removal method doesn’t require an anti-spyware or anti-malware tool, but it requires more time to complete and some IT knowledge.
The automatic removal method helps to eliminate all potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) and malware from the compromised system at once. If you’re not interested in manual spyware removal options, consider using one of the security products recommended by our experts.
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.

Was this guide helpful?
Be the first to comment