Do you know what FunTVTab is?
FunTVTab is a newly released browser hijacker that has yet to become popular, and we want to keep it this way because it is a rather serious computer infection that you should remove. In short, this malicious search engine was configured to hijack Google Chrome’s and Mozilla Firefox’s homepage and search provider to redirect web traffic and subject you to advertisements and promoted links to potentially unreliable websites. We want to inform you that this hijacker can jeopardize your computer’s security, so keeping it on your PC is something we would not recommend. In this short description, we will provide you with the essential information regarding this new infection and show you how you can get rid of it.
Our malware analysts have linked this particular hijacker to the likes of Search.realcoolmoviessearch.com, Search.searchinsocial.com, and Search.emaildefendsearch.com. All of these browser hijackers, including FunTVTab, were released by a company known as Imali Media (http://imali.media,) a company that is in the web monetization business. We have analyzed many browser hijackers that have been released by this particular developer, and we are of the opinion that they must not be trusted. Also, the distribution methods employed by Imali Media go to show how desperate it is to get this and other hijackers on your PC.
Our malware researchers have found that you can easily get this hijacker for Google Chrome right from the Chrome Web Store. In this case, you install it at your will, so it is not considered as hijacking. Furthermore, you can download it from its dedicated website at Funtvtab.com. This website features the installer for both Chrome and Firefox. However, the reason we have classified FunTVTab as a browser hijacker is due to the fact that you can get it accidentally by clicking pop-up advertisements that come from shady websites, usually those that feature downloads of potentially unwanted programs. If you agree to install FunTVTab, then it will hijack your browser’s homepage, new tab page and search provider.
FunTVTab screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
If you use Google Chrome, then this hijacker will set Search.funtvtabsearch.com as this browser’s homepage and search provider, but not the new tab page. If you use Mozilla Firefox, then this hijacker will replace the search engine and the new tab page, but not the homepage address. Note that this hijacker comes with an accompanying web browser extension that manages the hijacking process so if you want to get rid of this hijacker, then you have to uninstall the extension.
It must be said that this hijacker uses Yahoo.com as its search engine. Indeed, Search.funtvtabsearch.com does have its own search engine, so it redirects the search queries to Yahoo.com. However, the server that hosts Search.funtvtabsearch.com injects the search results with additional promotional links. We fear that these promotional links may redirect to questionable websites that can feature malicious advertisements and downloads of potentially unwanted programs and adware. This hijacker is set to generate income for its developers, and it will in no way improve your browsing experience, and, as you can tell from the information we have provided, it can only hinder your browsing session. So in order to ensure your computer’s security and avoid undesirable consequences we recommend that you remove this hijacker as soon as you can.
If you have decided to delete this infection, then there are two removal methods you ought to consider. First, you can uninstall it from your browser’s list of extensions, second you can delete all of the files manually. We will provide you with instructions on how to perform both removal methods as the first might not work all of the time. Again, getting rid of FunTVTab is essential to get your previous settings back and reestablishing online security.
Remove this hijacker via browser settings
Google Chrome
- Press Alt+F.
- Select More tools and click Extensions.
- Locate FunTVTab and click Remove.
Mozilla Firefox
- Press Ctrl+Shift+A.
- Select Extensions.
- Locatethe FunTVTab and Remove it.
Delete the files manually
Google Chrome
- Press Window+E keys.
- In the Explorer window’s address bar enter the following file paths.
- %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions
- %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default
- Locate dmcfhimdkcdnffegpmpdijdaamleiejd and delete it.
Mozilla Firefox
- Press Window+E keys.
- In the Explorer window’s address bar enter %AppData%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{ID code}\ extensions
- Locate and delete funtvtabsearch-the-extension1@mozilla.com.xpi
In non-techie terms:
Malware analysts at Spyware-techie.com have tested FunTVTab and came to the conclusion that it is a browser hijacker due to its tendency to replace browser settings without prior warning or asking permission. Also, we reason to believe that it can get your computer infected with malware because it displays customized promotional links in its search results. So please remove using the instructions.