Remove FunkySocialTab(.)com Browser Hijacker Effectively

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.

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FunkySocialTab(.)com is the primary online address for the browser hijacker of the same name. The hijacker can redirect you, especially when you try to do a search from its pages. Most of the time you will land on Yahoo’s search results page, but it’s possible to be that of another reputable search engine. Your searches will go via SafeFinder, which is again a browser hijacker program. FunkySocialTab(.)com can switch the homepage, new tab and the search engine of any browser you have. A related browser extension is also spread on the Web. To remove the hijacker and all of its files, you should read the article to the end.

Threat Summary

Name	FunkySocialTab(.)com
Type	Browser Hijacker, PUP
Short Description	All browsers on your computer could be affected. The hijacker redirects you and filters your searches.
Symptoms	Browser settings that can be changed are the homepage, search engine and new tab, and possibly – browser extensions. You might see sponsored content and advertisements.
Distribution Method	Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by FunkySocialTab(.)com Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join Our Forum to Discuss FunkySocialTab(.)com.

FunkySocialTab(.)com – Distribution Methods

FunkySocialTab(.)com can have a few distribution methods. Third-party installers are mainly responsible for this hijacker to get on your PC. Software which is bundled or that is freeware can put the undesired program on your computer machine. Any freeware setup can have extra components for installation, by default. Your browser settings can be modified before you realize in what ways the hijacker messed with your browser and computer. To avoid such installations is doable if you find Custom or Advanced settings somewhere in the installation.

FunkySocialTab(.)com is distributed also via the Google Chrome’s Web Store page as seen in the above screenshot. From the first picture on top of the page it becomes apparent that an extension could be downloaded from the main domain of the unwanted program. The hijacker could use other methods to push its search engine to appear in your browser. One of the methods is through redirect links and advertisements on websites. Pop-ups, banners and more ads could be used to lure in unsuspecting users. The hijacker could distribute itself with the aid of websites which host redirects. Websites like these could be partnerned or affiliated with FunkySocialTab(.)com. The following browsers could be affected: Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari and Mozilla Firefox.

FunkySocialTab(.)com – Overview

FunkySocialTab(.)com is the official web domain of a browser hijacker bearing the same name. You can see how this online page looks like in the picture below:

The FunkySocialTab(.)com domain consists of a simple page with a picture of social buttons on the bottom of the page right below a big download button. Many features are listed and present the program as useful, but in the end, they are not special and can be done without the help of the program. If you have any software related to the hijacker already installed on your PC, you will see the sub-domain Search.funkysocialtab(.)com:

The above online page with the search engine bar will replace the new tab page, home page and search engine for all of your browsers. Your browsers’ preferences could be tampered with, as well. An extension could be added to the browsers, as well. That extension does the following:

• Read and change your data on all funkysocialtab(.)com sites
• Change your search settings to: search.funkysocialtab(.)com

Extensions and add-ons like that as well as additional components found on your PC, could all spread adverts and generate redirects. These redirects could land you on suspicious websites or ones delivering third party content. The owners of said pages could be partners or affiliates of FunkySocialTab(.)com.

In the image seen above, you can get an idea of what the search results of FunkySocialTab(.)com look. You get redirected to the search results page of a reputable search engine like Yahoo, as in this case. Other search engines are not excluded to appear in your search results, too. Browser hijackers use this as a common trick to fool people and get them to trust the program, so they can continue to use their search. But if you take a closer look, you will notice how the search results and queries will go through the following redirect:

FunkySocialTab(.)com can gather all sorts of information about you and how you browse the Internet from those searches you do and they also provide that information to servers of the other hijacker here on the above picture. You can read more about it in the article Safe Finder Removal Manual.

The search engines are connected in some way and are possible affiliates. All acquired information from your search queries can be collected by them. You should be wary with what information you ask for in the searches of these sites, especially if you disclose personal things. Read further, to see what data can be obtained from you by FunkySocialTab(.)com.

FunkySocialTab(.)com – Privacy Policy

The Privacy Policy of the FunkySocialTab(.)com site is present on the domain. Similar hijackers usually do not have a policy, and because the searches go through the Safe Finder site – its policy is certainly applied. Reading both policies unveils that both websites collect personally and non-personally identifying information. It is stated that all gathered information may be shared with third-parties.

You can view the Privacy Policy of both platforms down here:

According to the FunkySocialTab policy, information which can be collected is:

• IP address
• Referral data
• Browser type
• Platform (OS) type
• Other information

According to the policy of SafeFinder, the information which can be collected is:

• Browser (type and language)
• Operating System (type and language)
• Your name and address
• Geo location and IP address
• Date and time of access
• Your time zone
• Advertisements viewed
• Offers and services that interest you
• Default search
• VPN and Proxy services
• Internet Service Provider (ISP)
• Interaction with social networks
• Screen Resolution
• Search quires and browsing history
• Pages browsed and content viewed

By the simple usage of any services related to FunkySocialTab(.)com or Safe Finder, plus any applications tied to them, you automatically grant your consent for your data to be collected. In the policies, it is stated that cookies, web beacons, and pixel tags or similar technologies may be used for accumulating more data.

Remove FunkySocialTab(.)com Completely from Your PC

To remove FunkySocialTab(.)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.

Note! Your computer system may be affected by FunkySocialTab(.)com or other threats.
Scan Your PC with SpyHunter
SpyHunter is a powerful malware removal tool designed to help users with in-depth system security analysis, detection and removal of threats such as FunkySocialTab(.)com.
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.

To remove FunkySocialTab(.)com follow these steps:

1. Uninstall malicious programs from Windows

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

How to Uninstall malicious programs 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:

Hold the Windows Logo Button and “R” on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear (fig.1).

In the field type in “appwiz.cpl” and press ENTER (fig.2).

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

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

2. Clean your Browser and Registry from FunkySocialTab(.)com

Remove FunkySocialTab(.)com by cleaning your Browser and Registry.

Remove an extension from Mozilla FirefoxRemove an extension from Google Chrome Remove an extension from Internet Explorer Remove an extension from Microsoft Edge Fix registry entries created by FunkySocialTab(.)com on your PC.

Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window

Select the “Add-ons” icon from the menu.

Select the unwanted extension and click “Remove“

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.

Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu

Move the cursor over “Tools” and then from the extended menu choose “Extensions“

From the opened “Extensions” menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its “Remove” button.

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.

Start Internet Explorer:

Click on the gear icon labeled ‘Tools’ to open the drop menu and select ‘Manage Add-ons’

In the ‘Manage Add-ons’ window.

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’.

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.

Start Edge

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

From the drop menu select “Extensions”.

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

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

Some malicious scripts may modify the registry entries on your computer to change different settings. This is why cleaning your Windows Registry Database is recommended. Since the tutorial on how to do this is a bit long and tampering with registries could damage your computer if not done properly you should refer and follow our instructive article about fixing registry entries, especially if you are unexperienced in that area.

Use SpyHunter to scan for malware and unwanted programs

3. Scan for malware and unwanted programs with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

Scan your PC and Remove FunkySocialTab(.)com with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data

1. Install SpyHunter to scan for FunkySocialTab(.)com and remove them.2. Scan with SpyHunter, Detect and Remove FunkySocialTab(.)com. Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.

Step 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.

Step 2: Guide yourself by the download instructions provided for each browser.

Step 3: After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.

Step 1: After the update process has finished, click on the ‘Malware/PC Scan’ tab. A new window will appear. Click on ‘Start Scan’.

Step 2: 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.

Step 3: If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.

Back up your data to secure it against attacks in the future

IMPORTANT! Before reading the Windows backup instructions, we highly recommend to back up your data with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats. We recommend you to read more about it and to download SOS Online Backup .

SOS Online Backup

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.

More Posts

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.

More Posts