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How to remove CleanHub Tabs browser hijacker and the redirects it causes

Also Known As: search.tab-hub-simple.online redirect
Damage level: Medium

What kind of software is CleanHub Tabs?

CleanHub Tabs is a browser extension that we discovered while browsing suspicious websites. This software is endorsed as a tool that allows users to customize their browser backgrounds.

Upon examination, we learned that CleanHub Tabs hijacks browsers. It makes changes to browser settings in order to promote (via redirects) the search.tab-hub-simple.online illegitimate search engine.

search.tab-hub-simple.online browser hijacker

CleanHub Tabs browser hijacker overview

CleanHub Tabs modifies browsers' homepages, default search engines, and new tabs/windows. Due to these modifications, users are forced to visit the search.tab-hub-simple.online webpage. It is classified as a fake search engine since it cannot provide search results and redirects to a legitimate Internet search site.

At the time of research, search.tab-hub-simple.online landed on the Bing search engine (bing.com). It must be mentioned that this webpage could land elsewhere, as factors like user geolocation might influence redirects.

Oftentimes, browser-hijacking software ensures persistence by denying access to removal-related settings or undoing user-made changes.

Furthermore, browser hijackers usually have data-tracking abilities, and this might be true of CleanHub Tabs. Targeted information may include: visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, Internet cookies, account log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so forth. The collected information can be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.

To summarize, software like CleanHub Tabs may lead to system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:
Name CleanHub Tabs
Threat Type Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s) CleanHub Tabs
Supposed Functionality Customizing browser background
Promoted URL search.tab-hub-simple.online
Detection Names (search.tab-hub-simple.online) N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (search.tab-hub-simple.online) 88.198.23.190
Affected Browser Settings Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine
Symptoms Manipulated Internet browser settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit the hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines.
Distribution methods Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling).
Damage Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites.
Malware Removal (Windows)

To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner.
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To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Browser hijacker examples

City Weather Forecast HubA Quote A Day, and Currency Converter Tab are just a few examples of browser hijackers we have investigated recently. Software within this classification rarely appears illegitimate or otherwise suspicious – it tends to look ordinary and harmless.

Browser hijackers may also offer a wide variety of "useful" functions, which are usually nonoperational. Remember that merely because a piece of software works as indicated by its promotional material – that does not prove its legitimacy or safety.

How did CleanHub Tabs install on my computer?

CleanHub Tabs has an "official" promotional webpage. In addition to such pages, browser hijackers are endorsed by scam websites. They are primarily accessed via redirects caused by sites employing rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads, misspelled URLs, spam browser notifications, or installed adware.

The bundling marketing technique – packing regular program installers with unwanted/malicious supplements – is also used to distribute this software.

Download from untrustworthy sources (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations (e.g., skipped steps, used "Easy/Express" settings, etc.) – pose a threat of bundled content infiltrating the system.

Browser-hijacking software is proliferated by intrusive adverts as well. When clicked on, some of these advertisements can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We strongly advise researching software and downloading it only from official/verified channels. Additionally, installation processes must be treated with caution by reading terms, inspecting available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all supplements (e.g., apps, extensions, etc.).

Another recommendation is to be vigilant while browsing since fraudulent and malicious online content typically appears legitimate and innocuous. For example, intrusive adverts may look harmless – however, they redirect users to highly questionable websites (e.g., gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc.).

In case of continuous encounters with such ads/redirects, check the system and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with CleanHub Tabs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Appearance of search.tab-hub-simple.online redirecting to the Bing search engine (GIF):

CleanHub Tabs browser hijacker redirecting to Bing (GIF)

Permissions asked by CleanHub Tabs browser hijacker:

CleanHub Tabs browser hijacker asking for permissions

Website promoting CleanHub Tabs browser hijacker:

Website used to promote CleanHub Tabs browser hijacker

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Quick menu:

CleanHub Tabs browser hijacker removal:

Windows 11 users:

Accessing Apps and Features in Windows 11

Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.

Windows 10 users:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 8

Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.

Windows 7 users:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 7

Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.

macOS (OSX) users:

Uninstall app in OSX (Mac)

Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

Browser-hijacking application uninstall via Control Panel

In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently installed suspicious applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

CleanHub Tabs browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove CleanHub Tabs browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removing search.tab-hub-simple.online related Google Chrome extensions

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Extensions" and click "Manage Extensions". Locate "CleanHub Tabs" and other recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Removing search.tab-hub-simple.online from Google Chrome homepage

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "CleanHub Tabs", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.tab-hub-simple.online) below the "Open a specific or set of pages" option. If present click on the three vertical dots icon and select "Remove".

Change your default search engine:

Removing search.tab-hub-simple.online from Google Chrome default search engine

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for "search.tab-hub-simple.online", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the search.tab-hub-simple.online redirect, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.

Google Chrome settings reset step 1

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 2

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 3

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Removing search.tab-hub-simple.online related Mozilla Firefox extensions

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate "CleanHub Tabs", as well as all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Removing search.tab-hub-simple.online from Mozilla Firefox homepage

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable "CleanHub Tabs", remove hxxp://search.tab-hub-simple.online and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your default search engine:

Removing search.tab-hub-simple.online from Mozilla Firefox default search engine

In the URL address bar, type "about:config" and press Enter. Click "Accept the Risk and Continue".

In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled". Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the Mozilla Firefox switch about:config entry button button.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with search.tab-hub-simple.online redirect removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, firefox menu icon in the opened menu, click Help.

Accessing settings (Reset Firefox to default settings step 1)

Select Troubleshooting Information.

Accessing Troubleshooting Information (Reset Firefox to default settings step 2)

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

Clicking on Refresh Firefox button (Reset Firefox to default settings step 3)

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Confirm your want to reset Firefox settings to default (Reset Firefox to default settings step 4)

safari browser logoRemove malicious extensions from Safari:

Removing browser hijackers from safari step 1 - accessing preferences

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...

removing browser hijacker from safari step 2 - removing extensions

In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.

Removing browser hijackers from safari step 3 - changing homepage

In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.

removing browser hijackers from safari step 4 - changing the default Internet search engine

In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.

Optional method:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...

resetting safari step 1

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

resetting safari step 2

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) logoRemove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Removing browser hijackers from Microsoft Edge step 1

Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.

Change your homepage and new tab settings:

Removing browser hijackers from Microsoft Edge step 2

Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".

Change your default Internet search engine:

Removing browser hijackers from Microsoft Edge step 3

To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon Microsoft Edge (Chromium) puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the search.tab-hub-simple.online redirect, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 1

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 2

Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 3

  • If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

declining installation of browser hijackers while downloading free software sampleA browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users to visit search.tab-hub-simple.online website?

Redirects to webpages like search.tab-hub-simple.online are generated because cyber criminals (e.g., developers of browser hijackers and fake search engines, etc.) profit through them.

Is visiting search.tab-hub-simple.online a threat to my privacy?

To some extent, yes. Sites categorized as fake search engines (e.g., search.tab-hub-simple.online, etc.) usually gather information about their visitors. The collected data can then be sold to third-parties.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

The most commonly used distribution methods include: bundled installers, online scams, freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, intrusive ads, and spam browser notifications.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove CleanHub Tabs browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your system and eliminate all browser-hijacking apps present. It is worth mentioning that manual removal (performed without the aid of security tools) might not be ideal, especially when multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system. Since after one is removed – the others may reinstall it. Furthermore, browser-hijacking software may be capable of restricting access to removal-related settings and/or undoing user-made changes. Hence, it is paramount to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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Software uninstall instructions
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

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