How to remove Awesome Facts Tab browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is Awesome Facts Tab?
In our examination of the Awesome Facts Tab, our team found characteristics commonly linked to browser hijackers. Such applications typically hijack web browsers by modifying their settings, often promoting fake search engines. Users often unknowingly download and add these apps to their browsers.
Awesome Facts Tab browser hijacker overview
Our investigation revealed that the Awesome Facts Tab promotes the Bing search engine. When users conduct a search, they are redirected to bing.com, which is a legitimate search engine. However, it's crucial to note that apps like Awesome Facts Tab are known for modifying the settings of hijacked web browsers to endorse various websites (mostly fake search engines).
To accomplish this, browser hijackers modify the browser's default search engine, homepage, and new tab page settings. Additionally, it is necessary to highlight that fake search engines endorsed by browser hijackers might exhibit manipulated or biased search results, which can undermine the user's browsing experience and compromise their privacy.
An additional reason to avoid using fake search engines and browser hijackers is their potential to collect various types of data. These malicious entities may be engineered to gather browsing history, search queries, IP addresses, geolocation data, and online behavior, which can then be used for various purposes (e.g., sold to third parties).
| Name | Awesome Facts Tab |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Awesome Facts Tab |
| Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
| Promoted URL | bing.com |
| 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 are undesired programs that alter web browser settings without the user's consent or knowledge. Typically, they modify the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page to promote fake search engines. As a consequence, browser hijackers can result in compromised browsing experiences, privacy concerns, and potential exposure to harmful content.
More examples of browser hijackers are Elevate Tab, Soccer Skills, and Galaxy Creatures.
How did Awesome Facts Tab install on my computer?
When users hastily go through the installation process without carefully reviewing the options, they often unintentionally install bundled hijackers. In other cases, it is caused while browsing suspicious or malicious websites, wherein browser hijackers are automatically downloaded and installed without the user's knowledge.
Users are also at risk of encountering browser hijackers by downloading and installing software from unreliable sources like pirated or cracked software websites. Moreover, fake software updates or installers encountered during internet browsing can deceive users into clicking on them, resulting in the installation of browser hijackers on their systems.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Make sure to obtain software, browser extensions, and updates from trusted and authorized websites. Refrain from downloading from unfamiliar or dubious sources. During software installations, carefully read each step and avoid rushing through the process. Be cautious and opt out of any optional software bundled with the main program.
Avoid downloading pirated or cracked software since it frequently harbors hidden browser hijackers or even malicious apps. Be cautious of advertisements on suspicious websites and avoid enabling notifications from such sites. If your computer is already infected with Awesome Facts Tab, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Awesome Facts Tab shows bing.com results (GIF):
Permissions asked by Awesome Facts Tab browser hijacker:
Website promoting Awesome Facts Tab 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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Quick menu:
- What is Awesome Facts Tab?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Awesome Facts Tab application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Awesome Facts Tab browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove bing.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove bing.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Awesome Facts 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, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the bing.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Awesome Facts 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 "Extensions" and click "Manage Extensions". Locate "Awesome Facts Tab" and other recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "Awesome Facts Tab", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.bing.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 "bing.com", 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 awesome facts tab 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 extensions from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate "Awesome Facts Tab", as well as all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable "Awesome Facts Tab", remove hxxp://bing.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 "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 
button.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with awesome facts tab 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 awesome facts tab 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 bing.com website?
The purpose of forcing users to visit the bing.com website could be related to generating web traffic or promoting the Bing search engine for other reasons.
Is visiting bing.com a threat to my privacy?
It is important to note that while redirecting users to bing.com is not inherently malicious, forcing users to visit the website without their consent or awareness, such as through browser hijacking, is a deceptive and unwanted practice.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
A browser hijacker can infiltrate your computer through bundled software, malicious websites, phishing emails, pirated software, fake updates, notifications from shady websites, and unverified browser extensions.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Awesome Facts Tab browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner scans and removes existing browser-hijacking applications. Manual removal may not be perfect as multiple hijackers could reinstall each other, and some settings might remain unmodifiable. Thus, removing all hijackers at once is necessary.
Outstanding!
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