Search.searchttab.com virus: what it is and how to remove it
Search.searchttab.com is a dubious search tool that can hijack your browser settings and alter them without your knowledge. It then causes unexpected redirects to websites that might be affiliated with its developers.
Facts checked October 6, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
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Search.searchttab.com virus: summary
| Distribution | Software bundling, deceptive ads |
|---|---|
| Damage | Exposure to untrustworthy web pages might lead to privacy issues, financial losses, installation of PUP, malware infections |
| 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 |
| Related extensions | TubeTab |
| Removal | Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 9 more facts
| Virus removal | To entirely eliminate this threat from your device, we highly advise using a reputable security tool |
|---|---|
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Name | Search.searchttab.com virus |
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
| Domains | search.searchttab.com |
| Ads shown as | Redirects through ad pages |
| Browsers | Chrome, Edge and Firefox |
| First seen | 27 May 2021 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
What the Search.searchttab.com virus ads look like
Anonymous Information and Search Data to personalize and improve your use of and experience with the Services.
Is Search.searchttab.com virus dangerous?
From our report of May 2021 · not reviewed since
Search.searchttab.com – a redirect virus that targets unprotected Windows and Mac systems
Search.searchttab.com is a dubious search tool that can hijack 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 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.
Browser hijackers are sneaky computer parasites that silently track victim's online activities with the help of tracking cookies and web beacons . 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:
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:
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 , , or similar that's able to detect and remove any potentially unwanted programs or even malware. When you're done, consider using the system diagnostics software to repair system irregularities and ensure a stable working environment.
- Victim's IP address and computer geolocation;
- Search queries, browsing history;
- Clicks on ads and links;
- Device and browser details;
- Other browsing-related data.
From our report of May 2021 · not reviewed since
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.
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.
Check your browser and PC
- Address:
search.searchttab.com
How to remove Search.searchttab.com virus
How to stop the Search.searchttab.com virus redirects
Work in this order and test a few links after each step, so you know which one was the cause.
Step 1: Check the browser's extensions
A browser that keeps landing on
search.searchttab.comby itself usually has an add-on doing it. Open the extension list (chrome://extensions, edge://extensions, or Extensions and themes in the Firefox menu) and remove anything you do not remember installing.Coupon, PDF, new tab, search and video downloader add-ons are the usual suspects. Do this in every browser on the Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.
Chrome on Windows 11: More > Extensions > Manage extensions. Full procedure with screenshots: Remove a browser extension
Step 2: Reset the browser if the redirects continue
When
search.searchttab.comkeeps opening after the extensions are cleaned, reset the browser to its defaults. Chrome: Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults; Edge: Settings > Reset settings; Firefox: Help > More troubleshooting information > Refresh Firefox.A reset keeps bookmarks and saved passwords but clears site permissions, the start page and the search engine.
If every browser still redirects afterwards, the cause is a program in Windows 11 or Windows 10: check Settings > Apps > Installed apps for anything you did not install.
Chrome on Windows 11: Settings > Reset settings. Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine
Step 3: Scan the PC if you downloaded anything from the ads
Most people who only saw the notifications can skip this step. If a notification or the page it opened made you download or run a file, delete the file and run a full scan, then a Microsoft Defender Offline scan.
In Windows 11 and Windows 10 open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and click Scan now. The PC restarts and the scan takes about 15 minutes, so save your work first.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices.
Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings.
Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact - you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use for the data restoration process.
From our report of May 2021 · not reviewed since
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.
Questions about Search.searchttab.com virus
Why does my browser keep going to search.searchttab.com?
Something is sending it there. On one site only, that site's ads are the cause and leaving the site ends it.
On many different sites, the usual causes are an extension you installed with something else, a site you once allowed to send notifications, or an ad-supported program in Windows that changes how the browser behaves. search.searchttab.com itself is only a stop on the way: it records the visit and forwards you to whatever advertiser pays most.
Check the extensions page, then the list of sites allowed to send notifications, then Installed apps sorted by date. Removing the cause stops the redirects; blocking the domain alone usually does not, because the network moves to a new one.
Is it safe that my browser was redirected to search.searchttab.com?
Landing on search.searchttab.com does not infect the PC by itself. A browser does not run programs from a page without your action. The danger is in the pages that come next:
- some ask you to allow notifications
- some show fake virus warnings
- some offer downloads
- ask for card details
If you only saw those pages and closed them, nothing more is needed than removing whatever caused the redirect. If you allowed notifications, remove that permission.
If you downloaded a file, delete it unopened, or uninstall it if you ran it. If you typed a password or card number on one of the pages, change the password and call your bank.
What is Search.searchttab.com virus?
Search.searchttab.com virus is an ad redirect domain, a kind of adware. It earns money by showing redirects through ad pages, and each view, click or redirect pays whoever runs it. It is not something people usually choose; it arrives through a free download, a fake button or a misleading prompt.
Search.searchttab.com virus does not encrypt files or take control of Windows, but its ads are sold to anyone, including scam operators, so they can lead to fake virus warnings and unwanted downloads. The steps in this guide remove it from Windows and from each browser.
Why does search.searchttab.com keep showing up?
There are two possible reasons. If it appears as desktop notifications, a browser on this PC was given permission to receive them from search.searchttab.com, usually through a misleading prompt. That permission stays until you remove it in the browser's site settings.
If it appears as tabs or redirects, an ad on a site you visit is opening it, or an extension or program on the PC is. Test a private window: if search.searchttab.com never appears there, an extension is the likely cause. The plan above covers each case.
Which browsers does Search.searchttab.com virus affect?
In the cases we checked, Search.searchttab.com virus showed up in Chrome, Edge and Firefox. That does not rule out others on your PC, since adware installers often target every browser they find, and permissions and extensions sync across computers signed in to the same browser account.
Open each browser you have, go to its extensions page and its notification settings, and remove anything you do not recognise. Profiles count separately: Chrome and Edge can each hold several, and each one needs checking on its own.
Are the pop-ups I see really from Search.searchttab.com virus?
Compare them with the details in the table above. Search.searchttab.com virus produces redirects through ad pages, and the clearest sign of it is redirects to search.searchttab.com. Other adware looks similar, so check the name of the sending site at the bottom of a notification, the address in the tab that opened, or the newest entries on the extensions page.
If those match, this guide fits. If you see a different name, the same kind of steps apply, but remove the item you actually find rather than guessing.
I let a "support technician" from an ad connect to my PC. What should I do?
Act quickly but calmly. Disconnect the PC from the internet first, so the connection ends. Uninstall the remote access tool they asked you to install and check Installed apps for anything else added during the call.
Run a Microsoft Defender full scan and offline scan. From another device, change your e-mail and banking passwords and sign out of all sessions.
If you paid by card, bank transfer or gift card, contact your bank or the card issuer immediately, and report the scam to the police. Do not answer if they call back.
Can an adware pop-up infect my PC just by appearing?
No. A pop-up, a notification or a new tab is only a web page or a message. It cannot run programs on Windows by itself, provided the browser and Windows are up to date. Infection needs a step from you:
- running a downloaded file
- installing an extension
- giving a stranger remote access
That is why scam pages work so hard to make you click. Close such pages with the tab's X or by closing the browser, not with buttons inside the page, which may start a download.
Why is my browser so slow since the ads started?
Each page now does extra work. An adware extension reads the page, decides where to put ads, loads them from ad servers and reports your visit, and that happens on every tab. Ad-supported programs add their own background activity.
Removing the extension or program usually makes the browser fast again at once. If it stays slow, open the browser's own task manager with Shift+Esc in Chrome or Edge and look for extensions using a lot of memory or processor time.
Will Fortect remove Search.searchttab.com virus?
Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.
For Search.searchttab.com virus, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.
Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Browser hijacking (read October 6, 2026)
- The Heimdal Security Blog: How Malicious Websites Infect You in Unexpected Ways (read October 6, 2026)
- Google Chrome Help: Use notifications to get alerts (no longer online) (read October 6, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 6, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 6, 2026)