Charming Tab is a suspicious extension for Chrome that generates advertising revenue from sponsored ads and traffic redirects
Charming Tab by T.M.D.S. Technilca Management Limited has been developed as a New Tab for Chrome, though it turns out to be a browser hijacker and potentially unwanted program (PUP). Although it is officially distributed on Chrome Web Store, people reported it on Reddit[1] to be distributed via third-party apps, such as Volume Amplifier, bundles.
It’s represented as a Chrome background changer, which is supposed to change the default background image of the start page to a “nice random landscape picture.” Upon installation, it fulfills its promise, though users have condemned it for intrusive performances as well. The so-called Charming Tab virus is accused of browser’s hijack and unapproved redirects to charming-tab.com and Bing search. Consequently, ever web search via Google reroutes the traffic to third-party servers and makes people see sponsored search results.
Those who keep experiencing Charming Tab redirects should not worry since this extension is not a virus. It’s set to generate advertising revenue through advertising of the affiliates, so it cannot steal your credentials, spy on you, or lock data. However, keeping it is not recommended due to a slight risk of misleading content that its affiliates may represent. For instance, people can receive doubtful software update offers, prize giveaways, surveys, or encounter links to adult sites. Therefore, in this article, we will try to explain to you in a comprehensive manner how to remove Charming Tab from Chrome and recover the system’s settings.
| Name | Charming Tab |
| Developer | T.M.D.S. Technilca Management Limited |
| Classification | Browser hijacker/redirect virus |
| Symptoms | Replaced Chrome’s background image Altered web browser’s settings (new tab, search engine, start page, etc.) Continuous redirects to third-party websites via charming-tab.com server Intrusive ads on random websites Chrome delivers Bing search results by default |
| Compatibility | The extension has been developed for Chrome browser |
| Danger | The extension itself is not dangerous. However, third-party links and ads that it may deliver are in question regarding security |
| Elimination | Manual Charming Tab removal can be performed manually. However, if you have installed it via freeware bundle, it’s advisable to use a robust anti-malware because disabling the extension won’t be sufficient to stop intrusive browser-based activities |
| Malware damage | Every time when malware settles down on the system, it initiates changes within Windows registered that are not restored by malware elimination. In order to ever unwanted system changes, we recommend taking advantage of Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego tool |
Charming-Tab malware is a suspicious extension for Chrome that may display misleading third-party content to generate advertising income, boost traffic to phishing websites. See an excerpt from the Privacy Policy[2]:
Our Site includes links to other Web sites whose privacy practices may differ from those of T.M.D.S. TECHNICAL MANAGEMENT LIMITED. Our service may also be linked to sites or services operated by the T.M.D.S. TECHNICAL MANAGEMENT LIMITED 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.
In other words, the extension is too simple to cause any damage to the machine. The risk that it initiates is related to the Charming Tab redirects and ads that disrupt web browsing and keep rerouting the traffic to rogue pages that offer to subscribe services, buy something, or download software.
Charming Tab Privacy Policy informs people about possible third-party links and attempts to gather browser-based data
Charming Tab Privacy Policy informs people about possible third-party links and attempts to gather browser-based data
For displaying the content that its affiliates want, the extension initiates several unwanted browser-based changes:
- In addition to Chrome’s background changes, it sets charming-tab.com as a start page;
- Google search is replaced by Bing without permission;
- New tab window may open questionable third-party sites that keep displaying a pop-up “XXX wants to show notifications;“
- Tracking cookies may be installed to spy on user’s web browsing activities.
According to experts from Dieviren.de[3], Charming Tab removal will stop related third-parties from seeing what websites you are visiting or what ads you are clicking on. Although recording such activity logs is not illegal, such data allows advertisers to improve their schemes and apply them to individual users. Consequently, more appealing ads may show up during web browsing, thus increasing the chances that you will click on them.
In order to keep browsing history unleaked, you should remove Charming Tab virus and similar extensions from the system. Since suchlike PUPs are typically brought be freeware, the best way to get rid of them is to run a scan with a reliable anti-malware tool.
Upon Charming Tab removal, we recommend resetting the web browser’s settings and scanning the system with Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego repair tool. A full guide on how to disable unwanted extensions and eliminate malware scroll down to this post.
Charming Tab Chrome extension is sponsored by third parties and the content it delivers should not be trusted
Charming Tab Chrome extension is sponsored by third parties and the content it delivers should not be trusted
Chrome Web Store promoted extensions are not necessarily useful
The thinking that all extensions and plug-ins distributed on legitimate sources like Chrome Web Store or Play Store is not right. Keep in mind that hundreds of PUP developers gain the license and spread unwanted apps via the mentioned sources to gain the user’s trust.
Nevertheless, downloading questionable extensions, add-ons, toolbars, or whatnot without reading comments and reviews on them is risky. That’s because they may be malware that aims to change browsers settings to display ads and collect browsing-related data for marketing purposes.
Charming Tab is considered to be a virus since it spreads bundled with freeware and gets installed without asking for permission directly
Charming Tab is considered to be a virus since it spreads bundled with freeware and gets installed without asking for permission directly
The same applies to freeware and shareware. The latter are often sponsored by third-parties for the distribution of browser-based applications in one package with the main installer. Luckily, freeware bundles can be decomposed if the user selects Advanced installation, monitors the installation setup, and remove ticks marked alongside additional installers.
Eliminate Charming Tab malware to stop intrusive redirects and ads
The developers of the Charming-Tab malware claims that the extension is currently used by over 50,000 users. However, this fact is provided out of nowhere and is not likely to be realistic. Nevertheless, even if this number is real, then we feel the responsibility to help people get rid of intrusive advertisements and unwanted search sites from their web browsers.
To remove Charming Tab virus safely, we recommend scanning the machine with a professional anti-malware program in the first place. The community has reported that most of them downloaded this unwanted extension along with other extensions and freeware. Thus, make sure to get rid of malware in the first place.
Charming Tab can redirect to Bing search instead of Google all the time
Charming Tab can redirect to Bing search instead of Google all the time
Upon the Charming Tab malware removal, analyze the extensions installed on Chrome and disable those that you are not familiar with. Finally, reset browser settings and optimize your machine with Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego.
You may remove virus damage with a help of Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users’ data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices. Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using Private Internet Access VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
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It is crucial to create updates to your backups after any changes on the device, so you can get back to the point you were working on when malware changes anything or issues with the device causes data or performance corruption. Rely on such behavior and make file backup your daily or weekly habit.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware occurs out of nowhere. Use Data Recovery Pro for the system restoring purpose.