| Name | HomeTab.exe |
| Type | Bundler, Browser Hijacker |
| Short Description | HomeTab is distributed via bundled installers and is known to affect the browser. |
| Symptoms | The browser’s default settings are changes and reversing them may be difficult. |
| Distribution Method | Bundling, affiliate installers. |
| Detection tool | Download Malware Removal Tool, to See If Your System Has Been Affected By HomeTab.exe |
HomeTab.exe is a suspicious process that has been reported to affect users on a global scale. According to research, HomeTab.exe is signed by One Floor App. One Floor App is a software developer, a distributor of ad-supported software. HomeTab.exe may have been installed by a Widdit installer used for monetization purposes, or the OneFloorApp install manager also known as SimplyInstaller. Numerous users’ complaints have been issues about the Widdit.com website and its unwanted behavior on the system.
Anything associated with HomeTab.exe, One Floor App and Widdit should be removed from the system. Additionally, running an AV scanner may also be required. Bundling is a method that may have initiated unknown processes in the background of the system.
Security Warning
According to independent security researchers, the hometab.exe application by the One Floor App provider has been detected as potentially unwanted and harmful by multiple AV solutions. A list of various detections is provided below in the article.
HomeTab.exe Technical Description
HomeTab is classified as a browser toolbar dsigned to modify the browser’s default settings and distribute intrusive advertising content. HomeTab has been reported to change the search provider and new tab page to the Widdit HomeTab, and the changes may be quite difficult to reverse. The toolbar is likely compatible with popular browsers such as Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome.
Because of its capabilities to alter the browser and introduce unwanted software to the system, the product is mostly regarded a browser hijacker. Users typically seek a way to rid their systems of HomeTab.
The One Floor App publisher is most likely linked with the following providers:
- InfoSpace LLC
- Ideakee Inc
- First Offer LTD
- One Floor App LTD
- Simply Tech Ltd
The application’s installer may be bundled with suspicious, ad-supported software by these providers. As a result of the HomeTab.exe installation, the system may have been flooded with third party products, employed for monetization and advertising purposes.
According to researchers at HerdProtect, HomeTab.exe can be detected as:
- Adware.Downware.3113 (Dr. Web)
- Win32/Toolbar.Widdit.A potentially unwanted application (ESET NOD32)
- not-a-virus:WebToolbar.Win32.FirstFloor (Kaspersky)
- PUP.Optional.SimplyInstaller.A (MalwareBytes)
- PUP-FNE (McAfee)
- Generic PUA FL (Sophos)
HomeTab.exe Removal Steps
If you have located the application in your system, and you don’t recall downloading it personally, you have experienced a bundled download. As we have written many times, bundling is a primary culprit of adware and PUP distribution, and is applied to generate quick revenue.
Even if you succeed in removing the application, you should consider running a full system scan to make sure that your system is PUP-free.
Feel free to refer to our removal manual. If you have any questions, become a member of SensorsTech’s forums and start a discussion.
Step 1: Remove/Uninstall HomeTab.exe in Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps to remove that program. No matter if you are using Windows 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 get left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, mistakes 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:
Select the program that you want to remove, and press “Uninstall” (fig.3).
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall HomeTab.exe.
Step 2: Remove HomeTab.exe from your browser
Remove a toolbar from Mozilla Firefox
Remove a toolbar from Google Chrome
Remove a toolbar from Internet Explorer
Remove a toolbar from Safari
Select the “Add-ons” icon from the menu
Select HomeTab.exe and click “Remove”
After HomeTab.exe is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red “X” in the top right corner and start it again.
Select HomeTab.exe to remove, and then click ‘Disable’. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected toolbar, and some additional toolbars might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click ‘Disable’.
After HomeTab.exe has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red ‘X’ in the top right corner and start it again.
Open the drop menu by clicking on the sprocket icon in the top right corner.
From the drop menu select ‘Preferences’
In the new window select ‘Extensions’
Click once on HomeTab.exe
Click ‘Uninstall’
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall HomeTab.exe. Select ‘Uninstall’ again, and the HomeTab.exe will be removed.
In order to remove any associated objects that are left after uninstall and detect any other threats, you should:
Step 3: Start Your PC in Safe Mode to Remove HomeTab.exe.
Removing HomeTab.exe from Windows XP, Vista, 7 systems:
1. Remove all CDs and DVDs, and then Restart your PC from the “Start” menu.
2. Select one of the two options provided below:
– For PCs with a single operating system: Press “F8” repeatedly after the first boot screen shows up during the restart of your computer. In case the Windows logo appears on the screen, you have to repeat the same task again.
– For PCs with multiple operating systems: Тhe arrow keys will help you select the operating system you prefer to start in Safe Mode. Press “F8” just as described for a single operating system.
3. As the “Advanced Boot Options” screen appears, select the Safe Mode option you want using the arrow keys. As you make your selection, press “Enter“.
4. Log on to your computer using your administrator account
While your computer is in Safe Mode, the words “Safe Mode” will appear in all four corners of your screen.
Removing HomeTab.exe from Windows 8, 8.1 and 10 systems:
Substep 1:
Open the Start Menu
Substep 2:
Whilst holding down Shift button, click on Power and then click on Restart.
Substep 3:
After reboot, the aftermentioned menu will appear. From there you should choose Troubleshoot.
Substep 4:
You will see the Troubleshoot menu. From this menu you can choose Advanced Options.
Substep 5:
After the Advanced Options menu appears, click on Startup Settings.
Substep 6:
Click on Restart.
Substep 7:
A menu will appear upon reboot. You should choose Safe Mode by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart and boot into Safe Mode so you can scan for and remove HomeTab.exe.
Step 4: Remove HomeTab.exe automatically by downloading an advanced anti-malware program.
To clean your computer you should download an updated anti-malware program on a safe PC and then install it on the affected computer in offline mode. After that you should boot into safe mode and scan your computer to remove all HomeTab.exe associated objects.
