by Berta Bilbao | August 24, 2016 | 0 Comments browser extension, browser hijacker, redirects

TopSecurityTabSearch.com is the primary web address of a browser hijacker. Imali Media Ltd. is the company creator of that unwanted program. An extension related to the hijacker, with similar capabilities, exists. Every search query you make will be filtered by this redirect and from the domain of another hijacker named SafeFinder. The unwanted software can alter your browser settings, and change the homepage, search engine, and new tab to Search.TopSecurityTabSearch.com. Advertisements may show when you browse. To remove the hijacker and its files, you should read the whole article.

Threat Summary

Name	TopSecurityTabSearch.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 switched are the homepage, search engine and new tab, 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 TopSecurityTabSearch.com.

TopSecurityTabSearch.com – Delivery

TopSecurityTabSearch.com can use a few effective tactics for delivering itself to your browsers. Third-party installations are usually the main source. Software bundles, including freeware install setups, might place the hijacker inside your machine. By default, the setups might have additional components set for installing. Browser settings can be changed without prior notification, so the unwanted program can get inside your computer without you realize. Avoiding installations of that kind, you have to find a Custom or an Advanced setting menu in a setup.

TopSecurityTabSearch.com can get delivered to your computer system via advertising content, like banners, pop-ups and many other advertisement types, apparently. The hijacker could also be delivered through dubious websites which are hosting lots of redirecting links. These websites could be partnered up with TopSecurityTabSearch.com. Browsers that can be affected are: Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari and Mozilla Firefox.

TopSecurityTabSearch.com – Analysis

TopSecurityTabSearch.com is the primary online domain and the search engine of a browser hijacker which has almost the same name – Top Security Tab. The company Imali Media Ltd. created it. That company is known to have produced many more browser redirect programs in the past. You can view more articles about Imali Media hijackers in our blog.

You can see a screenshot of the main web page here:

The TopSecurityTabSearch.com page consists of just a search bar, links redirecting to different services, some of which are wrapped in as buttons. Some buttons are located below the search bar, and some other ones are on top of the page inside a toolbar. You can see that in the picture above this paragraph. Know that this page switches the search engine of all browsers you have on your PC, including the new tab setting, and the home page.

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

That redirect is present in many more browsers and the Plus Network hijacker is a prime example of that. The ReImagePlus software, which is also known as ReImage Repair is a notorious rogue security program.

If any software related to TopSecurityTabSearch.com is on your PC, or you have the related browser extension installed, then you will see many changes to your browsers. The extension can push advertisements, display more third-party content and land you on suspicious websites. Such sites could be partnered with TopSecurityTabSearch.com.

In the above image, you can see the search results page of TopSecurityTabSearch.com. You will notice that you get redirected to the one of Yahoo. More reputable search engines might begin showing the results of your searches from the unwanted redirect. That is a trick used so you might trust the redirect more. And this trick is effective as people still fall victim to such browser hijacker software. Each of your search queries will send data over the following redirect:

Via the Safe Finder service, the TopSecurityTabSearch.com browser hijacker collects and transmits information about you to related servers of the redirect. The information is being stored there.

The search engines are inter-related somehow, and it is possible they disclose all information related to you between one another. They might be affiliates or partners. You should be very careful with their websites and search engines that mainly redirect users. Do not give your personal details to such websites.

TopSecurityTabSearch.com – Privacy Policy

The Privacy Policy of the TopSecurityTabSearch.com site is that of the Imali Media Ltd company. The policy of Safe Finder is also active as you should have anticipated. The policies of both hijackers state that information is collected about you, because if you make any interaction with their sites is like giving them automatic permission for data collection. TopSecurityTabSearch.com gathers both personally and non-personally identifying information. Partners and third parties can also receive all of that information, too.

You can preview the Privacy Policy of Imali Media right here:

According to the Policy, different types of information are being gathered.

Information, collected by Imali Media from each visitor:

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 stated inside the policy, some of the information may also be obtained if you complete or fill a subscription form, questionnaire or any 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 enumerated above, that is automatically gathered will be kept on servers of the Imali Media company and might get disclosed to their partners. The information will be acquired, when you enter the site of the hijacker from your browser and if you have the related plug-in set. Cookies accumulate that type of information.

Check the quote below, taken from the policy which is about the 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.

From the above quote it becomes apparent that Imali Media wants to say that whichever link, redirect or extra piece of content you come across, via their hijacker, is virtually not their fault. Despite that, the privacy policies of the sites which host the content will be active. Thus, those websites will be responsible for that content, if we accept that the statement from the above quote is true.

Do not click on anything hosted on those websites. Also, be careful whenever you use search engines, and what you seek for from search bars. Consider, that in this case the Safe Finder platform gathers further information about you and your online habits.

Remove TopSecurityTabSearch.com Fully

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

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

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

Step 1: Uninstall TopSecurityTabSearch.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 TopSecurityTabSearch.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 TopSecurityTabSearch.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 TopSecurityTabSearch.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 TopSecurityTabSearch.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 TopSecurityTabSearch.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 TopSecurityTabSearch.com files from your Mac

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

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

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

Remove TopSecurityTabSearch.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 TopSecurityTabSearch.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 TopSecurityTabSearch.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 TopSecurityTabSearch.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 TopSecurityTabSearch.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 TopSecurityTabSearch.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.