Do you know what YaTab is?
YaTab, also known as Yet Another Tab, is an extension created for Google Chrome users. The extension is officially represented at yatab.net, but the installer is currently hosted on the Chrome web store. You can find it at chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/yatab/fkkfdilehekamhmocmkicmebbhcanobi. You might decide to download this extension if you want to be up-to-date with the latest weather reports, you want to be able to create to-do lists and take notes via your browser, and you want access to your bookmarks. The latter “feature” is quite confusing because you have access to your browser’s bookmarks already. All you have to do is tap Ctrl+Shift+O (when the browser is opened) to access the chrome://bookmarks/ menu. Without a doubt, one of the reasons our research team recommends removing YaTab is its questionable utility. Despite this, there are other reasons why you might decide to delete this strange extension from your Google Chrome web browser too.
Our malware researchers classify YaTab as a browser hijacker. Why is that so? After all, it simply offers some useful browser widgets, doesn’t it? In reality, the extension displays its tools via a search engine represented via the New Tab. It also modifies the default search provider. This is why the seemingly-harmless extension is identified as a hijacker. YaTab offers high-resolution pictures as wallpapers for the New Tab, and that might make the extension seem more attractive. In general, the design of the search engine’s interface is very professional-looking. The Weather, To-Do, Notes, Bookmarks, and History buttons look quite fun too, and they work, which can make the hijacker/extension appear to be beneficial. Of course, this is not why we recommend deleting the extension. We are most concerned about the search tool. Whether you enter keywords via the search field on the New Tab or via the address bar, your searches are redirected via search.yatab.net to google.com/search. In the past, the hijacker was redirecting to ask.com, and so it is possible that this could change again in the future. Although the results are not currently modified, you might decide to delete the hijacker just because it redirects without any warning.
YaTab screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
According to the Privacy Policy supporting YaTab, the service can request information that might be personally identifiable, such as contact or demographic information. The statement also informs that surveys and contests can be conducted using the service, and we do not recommend interacting with those because they can be used to record highly personal information. Although it is stated that such information would not be shared with third parties, it is also stated that third-party ads can be displayed and that they could be used to introduce you to data trackers. Without a doubt, this is one of the things that might make you want to delete YaTab from your browser. Also, it is known that the hijacker can read and change data on websites, read and change browsing history, change search settings, and read and change bookmarks. If you are not comfortable with that, we suggest removing the extension immediately.
If you downloaded the hijacker extension from the Chrome web store, there is a good chance that it is the only thing you need to remove. You can delete YaTab using the simple instructions below. However, if you downloaded the extension along with other programs using a suspicious installer, you need to beware of other threats. Scan your operating system to determine whether or not that is something you need to worry about. Then, install a legitimate anti-malware program to have all threats removed automatically. Keep the program installed to ensure that unreliable extensions, hijackers, and other threats cannot invade your operating system in the future.
Remove YaTab
- Launch Google Chrome and enter chrome://extensions/ into the address bar.
- Remove the undesirable extension.
- Enter chrome://settings/clearBrowserData into the address bar.
- Choose the time range and boxes and click Clear data.
In non-techie terms:
YaTab is an extension that is classified as a browser hijacker because it is capable of modifying the New Tab and default search provider after execution. Search.yatab.net redirects to Google, and even though the results do not appear to be modified, you should be concerned about this unexpected activity. Besides that, the hijacker is pretty intrusive because it can read and change bookmarks, history, and even data you see on websites. On top of that, it can randomly introduce you to unpredictable third-party ads, as well as surveys and contests. This is why we suggest deleting YaTab without further hesitation. If it is the only threat, follow the instructions above. If you are dealing with other threats, and you want to ensure full-time protection hereafter, install trusted anti-malware software.