Funcybertabsearch(.)com Hijacker Complete Removal

by Berta Bilbao | July 21, 2016 | 0 Comments ad-supported application, browser extension, browser hijacker, redirects

Threat Summary Funcybertabsearch(.)com – Methods of Distribution Funcybertabsearch(.)com – A Closer Look Funcybertabsearch(.)com – Privacy Policy Remove Funcybertabsearch(.)com Completely from Your PC

Search.Funcybertabsearch(.)com is a search engine and primary web address for a browser hijacker. The main page is funcybertabsearch(.)com. Imali Media Ltd. is the company, which developed the unwanted program. All search queries go through SafeFinder – another hijacker.

The hijacker changes a browser’s homepage, search engine, and new tab and might even add a toolbar and a plugin to the browser. Adverts and targeted content can show up while browsing. To remove the hijacker and all tied files, you should read through the article.

Threat Summary

Name	Funcybertabsearch(.)com
Type	Browser Hijacker, PUP
Short Description	All browsers on your computer could be affected. The hijacker can redirect you and filter each one of your search queries.
Symptoms	Browser settings that can be changed are the homepage, search engine and new tab, as well as browser plugins and a toolbar. You could see third party content and advertisements.
Distribution Method	Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join Our Forum to Discuss Funcybertabsearch(.)com.

Funcybertabsearch(.)com – Methods of Distribution

Search.Funcybertabsearch(.)com uses a couple of distribution methods to show up in your browsers. The general method is via third-party installations. Bundled software, including free program installers, can get this hijacker on your computer. Freeware setups usually have additional content selected as a default installation setting. Various settings may be modified before you notice that the unwanted application is inside your computer. Avoiding such installations can be done if you find Custom or Advanced options in the setup to deselect components.

Funcybertabsearch(.)com can use other methods to distribute its search engine. Some of them include the use of adverts, like banners, pop-ups or more advertising content. The hijacker could be distributed with the aid of suspicious websites that host redirects. Websites like these might be partners or affiliates of Search.Funcybertabsearch(.)com. Browsers that can be affected are: Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari and Mozilla Firefox.

Funcybertabsearch(.)com – A Closer Look

Search.Funcybertabsearch(.)com is the main web address and search engine for the browser hijacker named Fun Cyber Tab Search. The company which developed it is Imali Media Ltd. that is known for making other hijacker software, for instance – TvnewTabPlusSearch(.)com.

You can see how it looks like in the screenshot right here:

The Search.Funcybertabsearch(.)com page consists of a search bar, and a multitude of redirect links, some of which have the form of buttons. Most buttons redirect to popular online websites. This exact page will replace the search engine of your browsers, along with the new tab setting, and the home page. A toolbar will be present on the page.

In case any additional applications related to Funcybertabsearch(.)com enter your computer, like a browser plugin, for example, then you will notice more modifications made to your browsers. Such additional programs could easily install on your computer with the help of bundling setups. Plugins, extensions or add-ons can generate advertisements, show you additional third-party content or redirect you. The redirects could land you on web pages with a bad popularity. Those pages might be affiliated with Funcybertabsearch(.)com.

In the above image, you can see the search results of Search.Funcybertabsearch(.)com. Obviously, you get redirected to Yahoo, although redirects to other reputable search engines are possible. That is a way to try and trick you into trusting the hijacker. But if you look closely, you can see how with every search you do each query goes through the following redirect:

In that way, Search.Funcybertabsearch(.)com can acquire data from your searches using a server of Safe Finder.

The search engines are in some way connected and can send all information related to your search queries to each other, especially if they are affiliates. You should be wary around these search engine sites and not give personal details or any credentials. Also, on the Search.Funcybertabsearch(.)com page do not click on any of the buttons. From the toolbar you can be redirected to the ReImagePlus rogue security program, like the Plus Network browser hijacker does:

Microsoft does not support that rogue software like ReImage falsely claims.

If you are not careful you can also get into a redirect chain to AliBaba sites on the AliExpress network like the domain Livecheck(.)perfectsafeupdate(.)net did as well as other domains. Continue to read, to find out how much information can be collected from you by the hijacker software.

Funcybertabsearch(.)com – Privacy Policy

The Privacy Policy of the Search.Funcybertabsearch(.)com is redirecting to the one of Imali Media Ltd. Note that the policy of Safe Finder can be applied additionally to the information collection. That is because both platforms state in their corresponding policies that your consent for automatic data collection is granted upon entering and using their websites. Search.Funcybertabsearch(.)com collects personally and non-personally identifying information. Third parties may also receive some of that information.

An image preview of the Privacy Policy of Imali Media:

Information collected by Imali Media from this hijacker, according to the Policy:

Your IP (internet protocol) address
The type of browser you use
The time at which you visited the site
Which pages you visited throughout the site

Information you provide that can be collected:

Your name
Your email address
Country of origin
Your nickname
Telephone number
Website
Company
Job title

If you download and install the plugin, this data is collected:

Demographic information
Your gender
Your age
Occupation
Household income
Zip code
Your country
Mobile telephone number
Your E-mail address

Information is also gathered if you complete a questionnaire, subscription form or a contest entry form.

Automatic information collected from the plugin:

Searches you perform using Imali Media domains
The ways in which you use various features
Pages you view on those domains
Page view count
Impressions and clicks

Automatic information collected from the site – when your web browser accesses the website or when you use the plugin. This information is collected with cookies.

And last, but not least – see what the policy says about linking to other sites:

Our Site includes links to other third party Web sites (such as Google, Facebook, Youtube etc.) whose privacy practices may differ from those of Browsing Product. Our service may also be linked to sites or services operated by the Browsing Product affiliates or third parties, and may carry advertisements or offer content, functionality, games, rewards programs, newsletters, contests or sweepstakes, or applications developed and maintained by third parties including, any online store.

The owners of Imali Media wash their hands by saying that any link, redirect or additional content you use as a result of their browser hijacker, do not apply Imali Media’s privacy policy but other ones and Imali is not responsible. So be careful with your every click when you use search engines, especially if they are from this company or other ones with a bad reputation. Know that the Safe Finder site will surely obtain similar information about you as well.

Remove Funcybertabsearch(.)com Completely from Your PC

To remove Search.Funcybertabsearch(.)com manually from your computer, follow the step-by-step removal instructions provided below. In case the manual removal does not get rid of the hijacker and all of its files completely, you should search for and remove any leftovers with an advanced anti-malware tool. Such software can keep your computer safe in the future.

Berta Bilbao

Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.

Guide 1: How to Remove Funcybertabsearch(.)com from Windows.
Guide 2: Get rid of Funcybertabsearch(.)com on Mac OS X.
Guide 3: Remove Funcybertabsearch(.)com in Google Chrome.

Guide 4: Erase Funcybertabsearch(.)com from Mozilla Firefox.
Guide 5: Uninstall Funcybertabsearch(.)com from Microsoft Edge.
Guide 6: Remove Funcybertabsearch(.)com from Safari.
Guide 7: Eliminate Funcybertabsearch(.)com from Internet Explorer.
Guide 8: Disable Funcybertabsearch(.)com Push Notifications in Your Browsers.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

How to Remove Funcybertabsearch(.)com from Windows.

Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Funcybertabsearch(.)com

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter's malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria

1. Hold Windows key() + R

2. The "Run" Window will appear. In it, type "msconfig" and click OK.

3. Go to the "Boot" tab. There select "Safe Boot" and then click "Apply" and "OK".

Tip: Make sure to reverse those changes by unticking Safe Boot after that, because your system will always boot in Safe Boot from now on.

4. When prompted, click on "Restart" to go into Safe Mode.

5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen.

Step 2: Uninstall Funcybertabsearch(.)com and related software from Windows

Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:

1. Hold the Windows Logo Button and "R" on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear.

2. In the field type in "appwiz.cpl" and press ENTER.

3. This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press "Uninstall"

Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.

Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Funcybertabsearch(.)com on your computer.

The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Funcybertabsearch(.)com there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:

1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.

2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.

3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.

Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.

IMPORTANT!
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.

Step 4: Scan for Funcybertabsearch(.)com with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.

2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.

3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.

4. After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the 'Next' button.

If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Get rid of Funcybertabsearch(.)com from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall Funcybertabsearch(.)com and remove related files and objects

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your Mac with SpyHunter for Mac

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter for Mac needs to purchased to remove the malware threats. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy

1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:

2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:

3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to Funcybertabsearch(.)com:

Tip: To quit a process completely, choose the “Force Quit” option.

4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.

5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to Funcybertabsearch(.)com. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.

6: Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to Funcybertabsearch(.)com. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.

7: Remove any left-over files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:

Go to Finder.
In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.

In case you cannot remove Funcybertabsearch(.)com via Step 1 above:

In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:

Disclaimer! If you are about to tamper with Library files on Mac, be sure to know the name of the virus file, because if you delete the wrong file, it may cause irreversible damage to your MacOS. Continue on your own responsibility!

1: Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:

2: Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:

3: Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as Funcybertabsearch(.)com. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.

You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:

→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons

Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.

Step 2: Scan for and remove Funcybertabsearch(.)com files from your Mac

When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Funcybertabsearch(.)com, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.

Click the button below below to download SpyHunter for Mac and scan for Funcybertabsearch(.)com:

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove Funcybertabsearch(.)com from Google Chrome.

Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu

Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"

Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.

Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Erase Funcybertabsearch(.)com from Mozilla Firefox.

Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window

Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.

Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"

Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Uninstall Funcybertabsearch(.)com from Microsoft Edge.

Step 1: Start Edge browser.

Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.

Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".

Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.

Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove Funcybertabsearch(.)com from Safari.

Step 1: Start the Safari app.

Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.

Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".

Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.

Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.

Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.

A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the Funcybertabsearch(.)com will be removed.

How to Reset Safari
IMPORTANT: Before resetting Safari make sure you back up all your saved passwords within the browser in case you forget them.

Start Safari and then click on the gear leaver icon.

Click the Reset Safari button and you will reset the browser.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Eliminate Funcybertabsearch(.)com from Internet Explorer.

Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.

Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'

Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.

Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.

Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.