How to remove Rain Tab browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of application is Rain Tab?
We have discovered the Rain Tab browser extension on a shady website offering to download and install recommended Chrome extension. After examination, we found that it hijacks a web browser by changing some of its settings to raintab.com. It was concluded that Rain Tab is a browser hijacker forcing users to browse the web using a fake search engine.
Rain Tab in detail
Rain Tab is described as an app offering cozy and calm rainy wallpapers a web browser. However, its true purpose is to promote raintab.com by making it the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page. We have tested raintab.com and learned that it shows search results generated by Google (it redirects to google.com).
Fake search engines can show misleading results (promote shady websites) and results generated by untrustworthy search engines. Therefore, it is highly recommended not to use them (including raintab.com) and remove any installed browser hijackers as soon as possible.
| Name | Rain Tab |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Rain Tab |
| Supposed Functionality | Wallpapers for web browsers |
| Promoted URL | raintab.com |
| Detection Names (raintab.com) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (raintab.com) | 50.63.202.39 |
| 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), fake Flash Player installers. |
| 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. |
Browser hijackers in general
Browser hijackers can track browsing activity. In some cases, they can be designed to collect sensitive information. A big part of browser-hijacking apps is promoted/distributed using deceptive websites and other methods. The main purpose of most apps of this type is to promote fake search engines.
More examples of browser hijackers are Keep It Secure, YourCouponSearch, CleanHistory.
How did Rain Tab install on my computer?
Rain Tab is promoted on a shady website recommending visitors to install this app. It gets installed after following the instructions provided on that page. In other cases, browsers get hijacked through deceptive ads and installers for other programs. Installers (and downloaders) used to distribute browser hijackers have certain settings.
Browser hijackers get installed when users install software bundled with them without changing "Custom", "Advanced", or similar settings. In some cases, browsers get hijacked through fake installers.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Download applications from official websites and use direct download links. Do not use third-party downloaders, unofficial sites, P2P networks, and similar sources to download files or apps. Also, do not click advertisements displayed on suspicious websites. Deselect unwanted apps before downloading or installing programs.
It is also recommended not to click notifications delivered by untrustworthy websites. If your computer is already infected with Rain Tab, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Raintab.com redirects to google.com (GIF):
Browser notification containing information about Rain Tab:
Deceptive websites used to promote Rain Tab:
Official website used to promote this browser hijacker:
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. 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.
Quick menu:
- What is Rain Tab?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Rain Tab application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Rain Tab browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove raintab.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove raintab.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Rain Tab browser hijacker removal:
Windows 11 users:
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:
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:
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:
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.
In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently installed suspicious applications (for example, "Rain Tab"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the raintab.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Rain Tab browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "Rain Tab" and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "Rain Tab", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.raintab.com) 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:
To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the 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 "raintab.com", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the raintab.com redirect, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the 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.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plugins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and remove "Rain Tab", as well as all other recently installed browser plug-ins.
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window disable "Rain Tab", remove hxxp://raintab.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.
Change your default search engine:
In the URL address bar, type about:config and press Enter.
Click "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled"
Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the 
button.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with raintab.com redirect removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...
In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.
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.
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...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge 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:
Click the Edge 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:
To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge 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 
near it and select "Disable".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the raintab.com redirect, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
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.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
A 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 visit raintab.com website?
The creators of this page generate more revenue when the count of visitors is higher. Their income is directly dependent on the website traffic.
Is visiting raintab.com a threat to my privacy?
Fake search engines can be designed to gather data about their users. In such cases, they can be a threat to privacy.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are distributed using social engineering tactics, such as browser notifications, intrusive advertisements, etc. Also, they are distributed using downloaders and installers for other programs. Typically, users download and install them unknowingly.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Rain Tab browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will remove this and other browser hijackers. It can be difficult to remove them manually from browsers with multiple browser hijackers installed on them because apps of this type can reinstall one another. In order to remove all browser hijackers at one, it is recommended to use specialized software such as Combo Cleaner.
Outstanding!
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