Top Movies Links: what it is and how to remove it
Potentially unwanted programs are very common. As the category's name suggests, these apps are not usually installed intentionally, and Top Movies Links is not an exception.
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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Top Movies Links: summary
| Distribution | Software bundle packages, third-party websites, Chrome store |
|---|---|
| Damage | Installation of other potentially unwanted programs, privacy risks due to information gathering practices, financial losses |
| Name | Top Movies Links |
| Type | Browser hijacker, potentially unwanted program |
| Symptoms | Unknown extension or application is installed on the system; homepage and new tab address are set to something else; a customized search engine is appended to the homepage; search results are filled with sponsored links and ads |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| 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 5 more facts
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
|---|---|
| Search page | search.ricktab.com |
| Browsers | Chrome, Edge and Firefox |
| First seen | 26 August 2021 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
What Top Movies Links changes in your browser
Replace the page you see when opening a new tab
Is Top Movies Links dangerous? What it collects
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
Top Movies Links browser extension imbues your browser with ads and sponsored links
Potentially unwanted programs are very common.
As the category's name suggests, these apps are not usually installed intentionally, and Top Movies Links is not an exception. While the extension can be downloaded from the official Chrome web store, it does not mean that it is useful in any way; if anything, it might reduce the browsing quality and insert ads into search results.
As soon as the browser hijacker is installed, users would notice that their homepage and new tab address is no longer what they used to be - it has been replaced by the extension. The playful looks of the background are not the only modification, however, as a new search bar is also added.
By using this search tool, users would be redirected to a different provider, namely, Bing. While this would automatically be an unwanted feature for many, this is not the end - search results would also be littered with sponsored links and ads. This means that the top results are paid for and not genuine.
At the same time, when we look at the name of the extension, we couldn't find the promised "top movie" links anywhere while using the app. If you want to find out how to properly get rid of this app, please follow the information we provide below.
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
Alleged functions and deceptive tricks
Initially, the app is presented as a useful tool that can " find all your favorite movies, shows, information about actors/actresses and learn more."
This sounds great on paper, as many users could be interested in something like this. In fact, many browser extensions are used in order to enhance the web browsing experience, although not all of them meet the expectations or promises made.
According to the "About Us" section of the developer, this extension that "can easily be nominated for the Oscars," which is a rather bold statement. Looking further, we receive promises of an "Advanced search function that helps you to find any movie-related content."
However, we did not find ANY links that lead to the alleged movies. Instead, you can see links to the following popular services (along with the floaty air balloons in the background):
In the meantime, the search bar provided at the middle of the homepage did not differ from any other typical browser hijacker (e.g., Search.ricktab.com, ProRadioSearch, or Around Tasks), and its behavior is very predictable.
First of all, a new search box is not the same one you are used to - it has been customized, which means that all your searches are forwarded to a different search provider, in this case, Bing. While the latter is a completely legitimate search tool (although most users prefer Google), the results that are shown can hardly be trusted.
The top results are always filled with ads and, in some cases, can be difficult to distinguish from genuine links. The sponsored content is the alleged "advanced" functionality that the developers were talking about; in the meantime, each click made on such links is monetized thanks to the affiliate marketing and pay-per-click scheme.
The sponsored links are usually safe, although websites of dubious content might show up there as well. Therefore, it is not advisable to explore them. If you want to regain your normal browsing function, remove Top Movies Links from your web browser at once.
- Yahoo
- YouTube
- Gmail.
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Top Movies Links
- After you get rid of all the potentially unwanted programs or/and malware from your system, use tune-up utility to clean your web browsers and repair any damaged system files
- It can: Replace the page you see when opening a new tab Read your browsing history on all your signed-in devices
- We may disclose or share Information such as IP address, Browser User-Agent and Search Term with a Search provider solely if applicable for retrieving search results.
Check your browser and PC
- Address:
search.ricktab.com
How to remove Top Movies Links
How to remove Top Movies Links and get your search engine back
Remove the extension first.
The search settings only stay fixed once nothing on the PC can change them again.
Step 1: Remove extensions you did not add
Top Movies Links often works through an extension, so go through the extension list of each browser:
chrome://extensionsedge://extensions- Extensions and themes in Firefox
Switch suspicious extensions off one at a time and reload the page where the problem shows, then remove the one that stops it, and any other you did not add.
Remember the other browsers and profiles on the PC. If Remove is missing or greyed out, a policy forces the extension, which the policy step deals with. Windows 11 and Windows 10 show the same pages.
Chrome on Windows 11: More > Extensions > Manage extensions. Full procedure with screenshots: Remove a browser extension
Step 2: Put the search engine back and delete search.ricktab.com
Searches that pass through
search.ricktab.commean the browser's default search engine was replaced. Chrome: Settings > Search engine > Manage search engines and site search, then Make default on Google, Bing or another engine you chose, and Delete on search.ricktab.com.Edge has the same list under Manage search engines (search the Settings page for it), and Firefox under Settings > Search.
Look at On startup and the homepage settings too and remove the hijacker's address there. Nothing in this step differs between Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Chrome on Windows 11: check Search engine and On startup. Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine
Step 3: Uninstall programs you did not mean to install
Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps in Windows 11, or Settings > Apps > Apps & features in Windows 10, and sort the list by install date. Look at what appeared around the day the problem started and uninstall every program you do not recognise or did not choose.
Free converters, PDF and video tools, "system optimizers" and unknown browsers are the usual carriers of Top Movies Links. If a name is unclear, search for it before you remove it, so you do not uninstall a driver or a Windows component.
Full procedure with screenshots: Uninstall a program or app in Windows On uGetFix
Step 4: Reset the browser
Finish the browser part with a reset, which puts the search engine, start page, new tab page and site permissions back to their defaults and switches extensions off. Chrome: Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults.
Edge: Settings > Reset settings. Firefox: Help > More troubleshooting information > Refresh Firefox, which also removes its extensions. Your bookmarks and saved passwords are kept, and the menus are the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Chrome on Windows 11: Settings > Reset settings. Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine
Step 5: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan
Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, run a Full scan and remove everything it finds. Then select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and click Scan now: the PC restarts and scans before Windows loads, which finds files that hide while Windows runs.
Save your work first, because the offline scan takes about 15 minutes. Both scans are built into Windows 11 and Windows 10, and a second scanner from another vendor is a useful extra opinion.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are
There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity.
While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.
Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.
Data backups are important - recover your lost files
Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data.
Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.
While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
Top Movies Links removal explained
Browser hijackers are not considered to be malware of any form but rather something that might be unwanted by most.
As explained above, the developers of this app brand their product as something amazing, although it fulfills no function and provides no benefits for the user (the default google.com can be used to look for "Top Movies" without having additional extensions installed).
If you have never installed this app on your system, you should get rid of it. Before you proceed, you should also perform a full system scan with anti-malware software to ensure that no other PUPs or malware are running in the background.
- 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 the unwanted program by clicking Remove.
- 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 unwanted plugin and click Remove.
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
The contradicting Privacy Policy
Upon installation of the extension, you will receive a warning from your web browser (be it Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or MS Edge), which warns users about the following:
While it is not unusual for extensions, applications, or websites to collect some anonymous data, browser hijackers take it a step further. For example, while most claim that no personal data is collected, the IP address (which is always recorded) is considered PII in some jurisdictions (e.g., some US states and the EU). Search terms are another commonly gathered info, and it might include personal data as well.
When it comes to Top Movies Links' privacy policy, it is very confusing, to say the least. The initial statement states, "We don't collect Personal or Non-Personal Information" with a confirmation of this statement under the information use section. However, the next sentence completely contradicts the previous one:
The document then proceeds with explaining more about data sharing practices with third parties, usage of cookies and other technologies, etc. Speaking of which, once you are done with the removal of Top Movies Links, you should clean the web browser from the accumulated data and cookies; otherwise, the tracking will continue.
In general, security experts recommend cleaning web cache and cookies from time to time for security and better performance.
- 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.
- Click Menu and pick Options.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Click on Clear Data...
- Select Cookies and Site Data, as well as Cached Web Content and press Clear.
- 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.
Questions about Top Movies Links
Is it safe to keep search.ricktab.com as my search engine?
It is not recommended. Searches through search.ricktab.com usually still return results, but the operator sees every query, often stores it with an identifier for your browser and shows extra ads or paid links. Some hijacked results lead to fake downloads or scam pages.
You also did not choose it, which means something changed your settings without asking and may still be installed. Set your own search engine back, remove the extension or program that set search.ricktab.com, and check the browser's other settings, such as the start page and notification permissions, for further changes made at the same time.
Is search.ricktab.com a virus?
It is a browser hijacker, not a virus in the classic sense. search.ricktab.com is a search page that an extension or program set as your default without a clear choice from you.
It does not destroy files or spread to other PCs, but it takes control of your searches, collects them and shows ads, and the software behind it is often bundled with other unwanted programs.
Many antivirus products flag such software as potentially unwanted. Removing the extension or program and resetting the search engine is enough in most cases. A full scan afterwards checks for anything else that came with it.
Why do my searches go to search.ricktab.com?
Because the browser's default search engine was changed to it. Top Movies Links did that through an extension, a program or a browser policy, and as long as that source remains, the setting points to search.ricktab.com.
The page then passes your query to a real search provider, so the results look almost normal, with extra sponsored links on top. Changing the search engine back on its own does not last, because the source resets it. Remove the extension or program first, then the policies if any, then set your own search engine.
Is it safe to keep searching with search.ricktab.com?
We would not. Every query you type is logged by its operators and shared with their advertising partners, and the sponsored links at the top are chosen for payment, not relevance. Results that look like a download page or a support site may lead to scams.
The page will not damage Windows by itself, but there is no benefit in keeping it: the results come from another search engine anyway. Remove Top Movies Links and use that search engine directly, by typing its address or choosing it in the browser settings.
Which browsers does Top Movies Links affect?
We saw it in Chrome, Edge and Firefox. That does not mean the other browsers on your PC are safe: hijacker installers usually change every browser they find, and browser sync can carry an extension to other computers signed in to the same account.
Check the search engine, home page, new tab, extensions and policies in each browser you have, including ones you rarely open. Chrome and Edge profiles count separately, so switch to each profile and check it as well before you call the job done.
What does search.ricktab.com know about me?
It knows what you searched for while it was your search engine, when, from which IP address and with which browser, and usually which results you opened. Tracking cookies let it connect those searches into a profile. It does not see your saved passwords or files.
After removing Top Movies Links, delete the cookies and site data for search.ricktab.com so the profile cannot be continued, and remove it from the browser's list of saved search engines. Signing out of important sites and back in also replaces session cookies.
Will resetting the browser remove Top Movies Links?
A reset disables extensions, restores the default search engine, start page and new tab, and clears temporary data and cookies. It keeps bookmarks, history and saved passwords. For many hijackers that is enough.
It does not remove a program installed in Windows, policies in the registry, changes to the hosts file or DNS, or edited shortcuts, so Top Movies Links can come back after a reset if one of those remains. Do the reset after removing the program and policies, not instead of it.
The results look like Google or Bing. Is that real?
Partly. Many hijacker search pages pass your query to a real search engine and show its results, so the list looks familiar. What changes is the frame around it:
- extra sponsored links at the top
- the hijacker's own tracking
- sometimes a design that copies a known search engine
You can tell by the address bar. If it shows search.ricktab.com or another unfamiliar domain instead of the search engine you know, the results come through a middleman. Remove Top Movies Links and search directly.
I changed the search engine, but it switched back. Why?
The hijacker is still installed, and it rewrites the setting whenever the browser starts or the extension updates. Changing the setting is the last step, not the first. Find what controls it: the search settings page usually names the extension, and a greyed-out field means a policy.
Remove that source, restart the browser, then pick your search engine and delete the hijacker's entry from the list of saved search engines so it cannot be chosen by accident. Check again after a day, when extensions have had a chance to update.
Will Fortect remove Top Movies Links?
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 Top Movies Links, 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
- MetaCompliance: Why It's A Good Idea To Clear Cookies On Your Browser (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)
- Microsoft Learn: How Microsoft names malware (read October 6, 2026)