FunTabSafeSearch(.)com Browser Hijacker Complete Removal

by Berta Bilbao | August 15, 2016 | 0 Comments browser extension, browser hijacker, redirects

Threat Summary FunTabSafeSearch(.)com – Delivery FunTabSafeSearch(.)com – Overview FunTabSafeSearch(.)com – Privacy Policy Remove FunTabSafeSearch(.)com Completely from Your PC

FunTabSafeSearch(.)com is the main online domain of a browser hijacker. Imali Media Ltd. is the company that created the unwanted software. All search queries you make will be filtered by redirects of another hijacker called SafeFinder, as well as the main hijacker in use. The unwanted program will modify your browser settings, and change the homepage, search engine, and new tab to Search.FunTabSafeSearch(.)com. A toolbar or an extension could be set to your browsers. Advertisements can show when you browse. To remove the hijacker and its files, you should read the whole article.

Threat Summary

Name	FunTabSafeSearch(.)com
Type	Browser Hijacker, PUP
Short Description	All browsers on your computer could be affected. The hijacker can redirect you and filter each of your searches.
Symptoms	Browser settings which are altered are the homepage, search engine and new tab, browser plugins and a toolbar. You could see third party content and adverts.
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 FunTabSafeSearch(.)com.

FunTabSafeSearch(.)com – Delivery

FunTabSafeSearch(.)com can use several tactics for delivery to get inside your browsers. This often happens with third-party installations. Software bundles, along with freeware install setups, can put the hijacker inside your PC. These setups could have additional components selected for installing, by default. Browser settings can be modified without notification, and the unwanted software can be in your computer system without you knowing it. To avoid installations of this sort, you have to find Custom or Advanced settings inside a setup and deselect any unneeded components.

FunTabSafeSearch(.)com can be delivered to your computer machine via advertising content, such as banners, pop-ups or any other advertisement types for that matter. The hijacker might also be delivered through suspicious websites which are hosting redirecting links. Those websites might be partnered with FunTabSafeSearch(.)com. Browsers that can be affected are: Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari and Mozilla Firefox.

FunTabSafeSearch(.)com – Overview

FunTabSafeSearch(.)com is the main online domain and search engine of the browser hijacker which goes by relatively the same name – Fun Tab Safe. The company that made it is Imali Media Ltd., which is known for the production of many more browser hijacker programs in the past. You can see more articles for Imali Media browser hijackers on our blog.

You can see a picture of the domain down below:

The FunTabSafeSearch(.)com page consists of a search bar, links with redirects to various services and some of them are wrapped as buttons below the search bar. On top of the page, there is a toolbar with additional redirects. You can see that in the image above this paragraph and know that this page replaces the search engine of all browsers you have, along with the new tab setting, and home page.

From the toolbar above, if you click on the “Repair Computer Errors” button, you will land on the following page:

That redirect exists in many other browsers and the Plus Network browser hijacker does the same thing. ReImagePlus or also known as ReImage Repair is a famous rogue security program.

If on your computer system resides any software related to FunTabSafeSearch(.)com, or you have a browser extension or add-on, then you will see drastic changes to your browsers. The add-ons and extensions can generate advertisements, display extra third-party content and get you on suspicious websites. The sites might be partnered with FunTabSafeSearch(.)com.

In the above picture, you can view the search results page of FunTabSafeSearch(.)com. That page is non-existent as for any results you get redirected to Yahoo. Other reputable search engines could end up showing as results to your searches. The redirection is only a mere trick, trying to trick you into trusting the browser hijacker. As many people still fall victim to hijackers, surely that trick is still effective. With every single one of your search queries, data is transmitted via the following redirect:

Through the Safe Finder service, the FunTabSafeSearch(.)com browser hijacker collects and sends information about you to its servers, as well. The information is stored there.

The search engines are connected in a way and possibly disclose all information related to you between each other. They could be possible affiliates or partners. You should be very wary around their websites and fake search engines that only redirect. Refrain from giving any personal details about you or your browsing activity.

FunTabSafeSearch(.)com – Privacy Policy

The Privacy Policy of the FunTabSafeSearch(.)com is in fact, the one of Imali Media Ltd. The policy of Safe Finder is also applied as you should have guessed. The policies of both hijackers openly state that information is gathered about you as any usage of their sites is like giving them automatic approval for the data collection. FunTabSafeSearch(.)com acquires both personally and non-personally identifying information. Third parties can also get all of that information, as well.

You can see the Privacy Policy of Imali Media here:

According to the Privacy Policy, various types of information are being collected.

Information, collected by Imali Media, in general:

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

Information collected when you download and install the plugin:

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

As written in the policy, information may also be acquired if you complete or fill a questionnaire, subscription form or a contest entry form.

Information collected automatically 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

The information which is automatically gathered will be kept on servers of Imali Media and could be disclosed to its partners. That information will be gathered, when your web browser accesses the site of the hijacker and if you use the related plug-in. Cookies obtain this type of information.

See the following quote from the policy that is about all external links hosted on the site:

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.

Imali Media says with the text quoted above, that whatever link, redirect or extra content you come in contact with, via their hijacker software, is not their fault, but the privacy policies of more sites will be in motion. So, in other words, various websites are held responsible for this kind of content. Avoid those sites and do not click on anything that comes from them. Adding to that – be careful when you use search engines, overall, and what you type in their search bars. Take into consideration that the Safe Finder service also gathers information about you and your browsing activity.

Remove FunTabSafeSearch(.)com Completely from Your PC

To remove FunTabSafeSearch(.)com manually from your computer, follow the step-by-step removal guide given 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 secure 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 FunTabSafeSearch(.)com from Windows.
Guide 2: Get rid of FunTabSafeSearch(.)com on Mac OS X.
Guide 3: Remove FunTabSafeSearch(.)com in Google Chrome.

Guide 4: Erase FunTabSafeSearch(.)com from Mozilla Firefox.
Guide 5: Uninstall FunTabSafeSearch(.)com from Microsoft Edge.
Guide 6: Remove FunTabSafeSearch(.)com from Safari.
Guide 7: Eliminate FunTabSafeSearch(.)com from Internet Explorer.
Guide 8: Disable FunTabSafeSearch(.)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 FunTabSafeSearch(.)com from Windows.

Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove FunTabSafeSearch(.)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 FunTabSafeSearch(.)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 FunTabSafeSearch(.)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 FunTabSafeSearch(.)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 FunTabSafeSearch(.)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 FunTabSafeSearch(.)com from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall FunTabSafeSearch(.)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 FunTabSafeSearch(.)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 FunTabSafeSearch(.)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 FunTabSafeSearch(.)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 FunTabSafeSearch(.)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 FunTabSafeSearch(.)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 FunTabSafeSearch(.)com files from your Mac

When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as FunTabSafeSearch(.)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 FunTabSafeSearch(.)com:

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

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

Remove FunTabSafeSearch(.)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 FunTabSafeSearch(.)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 FunTabSafeSearch(.)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 FunTabSafeSearch(.)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 FunTabSafeSearch(.)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 FunTabSafeSearch(.)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.