How to remove FullTab (Virus Removal Guide)

by Sean Doyle · Published October 30, 2016 · Updated September 11, 2022

This FullTab removal guide contains steps to remove FullTab virus, malware, and other malicious programs and extensions from your browser and computer.

Modifies your home page, new tab page, shortcut, and default search engine
Automatically installed by native potentially unwanted programs (PUP) and malware
Downloads and installs without user consent or knowledge
Will install with administrator permission (enterprise policy), which makes it difficult to manually remove
Bundles with malware, adware, potentially unwanted programs, spyware, and other malicious threats
Read and change all your data on the webistes you visit

What is FullTab?

FullTab, FullTab DS, and FullTab Download are promoted as a free browser extension compatible with multiple web browsers that “takes your newtab to a whole new level” and make your search experience better. However, the extensions arerecognized by various malware research teams and Antivirus programs as malicious and deceptive. The FullTab extensions can read and change all your data on the websites you visit, read and change your browsing history on all your signed-in devices, display notifications, and more. The extensions are also know to utilize unethical marketing practices that technically force users to install the extension against their will. The extensions will employ a browser-lock screen that restricts access to everything else on the computer and continuously sends messages forcing the user to install the extension to close the lock-screen.

FullTab extensions have the capabilities to replace your homepage, new tab page, and search engine with a commercial website in order to hijack your search results and generate revenue from search content and advertisements once they are installed. The extensions will also show an icon in the browser menu that when clicked will redirect users to the same website.

If a FullTab extension is installed on your machine you might notice some or all of these symptoms:

Pop-up ads, pop-under ads, in-text ads, and banner advertisements
Sponsored search results and new advertisements that appear when you search the web
Modified homepage, new tab page, and search engine
Slow and sluggish computer
Internet browser crash
Can bundle with malware, PUPs, adware, spyware, and other threats

A major concern with FullTab is that the prodcts bundle along with and is advertised alongside other potentially unwanted programs, malware, and potentially malicious trace files that can remain hidden on your computer system. If you did not install FullTab but find it installed on your computer it is likely that the threat was part of a package alongside other malicious objects that should be removed as soon as possible.

Removing FullTab virus and other threats that come along with it immediately from your computer or device is heavily advised. This program has a bad online reputation and may be the sign of a more serious computer infection. To completely remove FullTab and other threats from your computer use the removal guide below.

How did FullTab virus get onto my computer?

This browser hijacker is usually distributed like most common unwanted programs are. The hijacker can be contracted via free downloadable content, including freeware and torrent files. It may also be advertised as something it is not in order to trick victims into installing it and other potentially unwanted programs and malware.

The extension can be advertised across various websites. It is usually advertised on websites that contain prohibited content such as video streaming websites and pornography websites. These websites will also advertise malware and other threats. The advertisements that promote this extension may also promote other threats if clicked.

The browser extension is often bolstered by third-party download managers for freeware programs. The download managers may offer this adware as a custom install and give the user a chance to accept or decline the offer to install this extension and others. If the user does not opt out the program will install in the background. The way that the custom installation is presented may also be inadequate and designed to trick the user into installing programs they did not mean to install. It’s advised to be alert when installing free programs from the internet and keep an eye out for custom installation presentations to avoid any confusion and security risks.

How to remove FullTab (Removal Guide)

STEP 1: Scan your computer for malware
STEP 2: Manually repair your browser settings
STEP 3: Manually uninstall programs
TIPS: How to stay protected against future infections

STEP 1: Scan your computer for malware

The best way to remove FullTab and other threats from your computer is to scan your computer for malware using Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and HitmanPro softawre. Malwarebytes and HitmanPro will locate and eradicate this threat and other malicious files installed on your machine automatically.

1. Download and Install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software to run a scan and remove malicious files from your computer.

2. Once installed, open Malwarebytes and click the Scan Now button – or go to the Scan tab and click the Start Scan button.

3. When the Malwarebytes scan is complete click the Remove Selected button.

4. To finish the Malwarebytes scan and remove detected malware click the Finish button and reboot your computer if promoted to do so.

5. Download and Install HitmanPro by Surfright to perform a second-opinion scan and remove any remaining malicious trace files.

6. Once installed, open HitmanPro and click Next to start scanning your computer. *If you are using the free version you may chose to create a copy or perform a one-time scan.

7. When the HitmanPro scan is complete click the Next button.

8. To activate the free version of HitmanPro: enter your email address twice and click the Activate button.

9. Click the Reboot button.

Your computer should now be free of FullTab and other threats completely; However, you can still use the manual repair and uninstall instructions below if your browser settings have not been repaired or if you think an unwanted program is still installed on your machine.

STEP 2: Manually repair your browser settings

If your browser settings have been changed use these instructions to manually repair your settings.

How to remove extensions from Safari

STEP 3: Manually uninstall programs

If you are infected with adware and other unwanted programs you might be able to manually uninstall programs from your computer. Use these instructions to uninstall unwanted programs that may have installed on your machine. If you do not find a program installed on your machine make sure to scan your computer for malware using the instructions above.

TIPS: How to stay protected against future infections

The key to staying protected against future infections is to follow common online guidelines and take advantage of reputable Antivirus and Anti-Malware security software with real-time protection.

Real-time security software

Security software like Malwarebytes and Norton Security have real-time features that can block malicious files before they spread across your computer. These programs bundled together can establish a wall between your computer and cyber criminals.

Common Online Guidelines

Backup your computer and personal files to an external drive or online backup service
Create a restore point on your computer in case you need to restore your computer to a date before infection
Avoid downloading and installing apps, browser extensions, and programs you are not familiar with
Avoid downloading and installing apps, browser extensions, and programs from websites you are not familiar with – some websites use their own download manager to bundle additional programs with the initial download
Avoid visiting fake “spyware removal” blogs and websites that promote “spyware removal software.” These are usually malicious websites designed to phish your personal information, infect your computer with a rogue program and trick you into paying for rogue “spyware removal software.”
If you plan to download and install freeware, open source software, or shareware make sure to be alert when you install the object and read all the instructions presented by the download manager
Avoid torrents and P2P clients
Do not open email messages from senders you do not know