How to uninstall PerfecTab (under-cover.info) browser hijacker

What kind of extension is PerfecTab?

We inspected the PerfecTab browser extension and found that it has the characteristics of a browser hijacker. PerfecTab is promoted as a New Tab replacement with a clock, to-do list, bookmarks, notes, and wallpapers, but once added to a browser it also changes search-related settings to push the under-cover.info address.

It is worth noting that under-cover.info is not unique to PerfecTab. The same address is promoted by several other browser hijackers as well. We recommend removing PerfecTab and reverting any settings it changed.

PerfecTab and under-cover.info browser hijacker overview

Once added to a browser, PerfecTab replaces the New Tab page with its own page, featuring the clock, to-do list, bookmark shortcuts, notes section, and wallpaper gallery described in its store listing. Alongside this, PerfecTab also changes the browser's homepage and default search engine to under-cover.info, a fake search engine address used by several different browser hijackers.

Under-cover.info does not generate its own search results. Instead, it redirects users to search.yahoo.com (a legitimate search engine) and possibly other websites. Where a redirect lands may be influenced by factors such as geolocation, so users in different regions may see a different landing page.

Browser hijackers often rely on persistence-ensuring mechanisms, such as restricting access to removal-related settings or undoing user-made changes, to prevent users from recovering their browsers. PerfecTab may behave similarly.

During installation, PerfecTab requests permission to detect the device's physical location and to read a list of the most frequently visited websites. Combined with control over the New Tab page, this gives the extension considerable insight into a user's browsing habits.

Software in this category often also collects visited URLs, search queries, browser cookies, and IP addresses, which can be shared with or sold to third parties.

To summarize, browser-hijacking software like PerfecTab is associated with privacy issues, exposure to unreliable websites, and in some cases, financial losses or identity theft.

Browser hijacker examples

We have examined numerous browser hijackers; Search with AI on Chrome, Outer Space Tab, and Wild Nature are merely a few of our latest articles.

Browser-hijacking software typically appears legitimate and offers various features. However, these functions seldom work as advertised, and in many cases they provide little real value beyond redirecting users' searches.

How did PerfecTab infiltrate my computer?

PerfecTab can be downloaded directly from the Chrome Web Store, where its listing focuses entirely on the clock, to-do list, bookmarks, notes, and wallpaper features. The listing does not mention that installing the extension will also change the browser's New Tab page, homepage, and default search engine.

Aside from official stores, browser hijackers like PerfecTab are also distributed through the bundling marketing method, which packs regular program installers with unwanted additions. Pre-packed installation setups can be downloaded from freeware and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other dubious channels.

Additionally, browser hijackers can have "official" promotional webpages and may be endorsed on scam sites. They are often accessed through redirects caused by websites using rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads, spam browser notifications, and misspelled URLs.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We strongly advise researching software and downloading it only from official/verified sources. When installing, we recommend reading terms, exploring possible options, using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opting out of all supplementary apps, extensions, features, etc.

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

In case of continuous encounters with such adverts/redirects, inspect the device and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already affected by PerfecTab, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Permissions asked by PerfecTab browser hijacker:

PerfecTab browser hijacker's "official" promotional website:

Appearance of under-cover.info redirecting users to Yahoo (GIF):

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:

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.

Quick menu:

• What is PerfecTab?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove PerfecTab browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove under-cover.info homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove under-cover.info redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

PerfecTab 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, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

PerfecTab 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 "PerfecTab" 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 "PerfecTab", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.under-cover.info) 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 "under-cover.info", 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 under-cover.info 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 "PerfecTab", 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 "PerfecTab", remove hxxp://under-cover.info 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 under-cover.info 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.

If you continue having problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

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 under-cover.info 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 to visit websites like under-cover.info?

PerfecTab and under-cover.info exist to generate revenue for their operators. Search queries and New Tab visits routed through under-cover.info increase its traffic, which can be monetized through advertising or referral arrangements with other websites and search providers.

Is visiting under-cover.info a threat to my privacy?

To some extent, yes. Under-cover.info, as well as PerfecTab itself, can collect data about the websites a user visits and the searches they perform. PerfecTab also asks for permission to access the device's location, and this information could be shared with third parties.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

PerfecTab can be downloaded directly from the Chrome Web Store, where it is presented as a harmless productivity tool. However, browser hijackers like this one are also commonly distributed through bundled software installers, deceptive advertisements, and misleading download pages on freeware or file-hosting websites.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove PerfecTab browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate installed browser-hijacking applications. It is noteworthy that manual removal (performed without security programs) might not be ideal, especially when multiple browser hijackers are present. In these cases, after one is removed - the others may reinstall it.

What is more, removal-related settings might be inaccessible when this software is installed. Therefore, it is essential to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.