The people behind Forest Start Tabs described it as useful application that improves online browsing and the search experience of web user. However, it is just a technique of its developers to introduce their malicious program and hope to deceive web users. It is just a marketing strategy to spread Forest Start Tabs adware so online users will have interest to install the application on browsers like Google Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.
The developers designed Forest Start Tabs to hijack web browsers. Though it claims to be a legitimate program, it operates otherwise. It functions maliciously while installed on the computer. That is the main reason why it is classed as potentially unwanted program (PUP). The real purpose of Forest Start Tabs is to spy on the browser and modify its settings.
How Forest Start Tabs work?
When Forest Start Tabs installed on the computer, it will begin to track and record the browsing habits of online user. Such activities include the inputs of web user in the browser, visited websites, viewed web pages, clicked ads, IP address, geo-location of computer user. Aside from this monitoring action, Forest Start Tabs also modifies security and default setting of infected browser program. Home page, new tab page, and search engines will change into an unknown search engine page.
Moreover, Forest Start Tabs adware can locate valuable information about web users. Such data includes name, address, contact numbers, emails, passwords, and so on. These instances alone can really prove that it is not a beneficial application, but rather an invasive program that could possibly lead to privacy issues.
Intrusive ads and Redirects
Forest Start Tabs can produce numerous ads and pop-ups causing redirection to dubious websites. When it is running on the computer, the browser will start to show ads and pop-ups consistently. Forest Start Tabs incorporates such adverts to display continuously on the browser. It diminishes browsing experience of online users and web page visibility. Usually, ads overlays page contents, limiting the view of the whole site. Oftentimes, pop-ups appear anywhere on computer screen. Clicking such could redirect the internet browsers to suspicious sites, including unofficial download sites, frauds and phishing sites, illicit streaming platforms, torrent sites, or adult-related websites. These are all inappropriate and unsuitable for online users.
Is Forest Start Tabs a virus?
Remember that even if Forest Start Tabs is intrusive, it is not considered as a virus. It is an unwanted program that typically enters the computer without consent from web users. It usually included in software bundles or some intrusive ads installed it on the operating system. Always make sure to download apps on legitimate websites, the programs are sure to be useful and infection-free. When installing freeware, check carefully the apps before proceeding just to make sure that it does not pose any threat to computer’s safety. Also, do not just click on anything while using the internet. Intrusive ads can be displayed here and there, it might install an unwanted app like Forest Start Tabs straight to the operating system. Web users might be surprised that a malicious program is causing the misbehavior on the computer.
Forest Start Tabs Removal Procedure
Below is a systematic instruction that is very useful in getting rid of the potentially unwanted program (PUP) from compromised Windows computer. Aside from removing the malicious browser extension, this guide is also helpful in deleting browser hijacker and pop-ups.
In order to totally eliminate the threat, it is vital to follow the process in exact manner.
Quick Fix - Scan the PC with Combo Cleaner for Windows
Combo Cleaner is a trusted PC security and optimization tool equipped with powerful virus and malware detection engine. This program can get rid of browser hijacker like Forest Start Tabs through this procedure.
1. Download the application from the following page:
2. Save the file to your preferred location.
3. Double-click the downloaded file CCSetup.exe and install with the default settings.
4. At the end of the setup process, click Finish to run Combo Cleaner.
5. The tool will update the signature file, please wait for this process to complete.
6. To begin checking for threats like Forest Start Tabs, click on the Start Scan button. Wait for this scan to finish.
7. At the end of the scan process, click on Remove all threats to delete Forest Start Tabs hijacker including all malicious objects from the computer.
Free features of Combo Cleaner for Windows includes Disk Cleaner, Big Files finder, Duplicate files finder, and Uninstaller. To use antivirus, privacy scanner, and to delete identified threats, users have to upgrade to a premium version.
Please continue with the succeeding removal procedures if your are comfortable to manually get rid of the threat and malicious items linked with it.
Step 1 : Delete Forest Start Tabs Browser Extension
Most adware and unwanted programs are using a program called browser extension to be able to take over the settings of internet applications. Therefore, we highly recommend to check and remove the extension that is closely related to Forest Start Tabs.
Remove Forest Start Tabs Extension from Google Chrome
1. Open Google Chrome browser.
2. Type chrome://extensions/ in the address bar and press Enter on keyboard.
3. Find Forest Start Tabs or relevant entry and remove it from Google Chrome browser.
Uninstall Forest Start Tabs Extension from Mozilla Firefox
1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser.
2. Type about:addons in the address bar and press Enter on keyboard.
3. Choose Extensions on sidebar menu.
4. Look for object that is pertaining to Forest Start Tabs and remove it from the browser.
After deleting the malicious browser extension, it is expected that Forest Start Tabs is also gone from the homepage.
Remove Forest Start Tabs Add-ons from Internet Explorer and Edge Browser
1. Open Internet Explorer program.
2. Go to top Menu and click Tools. Then, select Manage Add-ons from the drop-down list.
3. Look for and Remove or Disable entries of Forest Start Tabs from Toolbars and Extension. Additionally, delete unwanted entry from Search Providers section.
4. Close the window and restart Internet Explorer.
If Forest Start Tabs is still present on the IE browser and there are still unwanted homepage and pop-ups, another option is to remove the adware from Windows Control Panel.
5. Press Windows Key + R and then, type appwiz.cpl command.
6. Program and Features window will open. Arrange the list in chronological manner with recently installed applications on top. To do this, click on 'Installed On' column.
7. Select Forest Start Tabs or recently installed unwanted entry. Then, click on Uninstall to remove it from Windows system.
Step 2 : Scan the computer with Sophos Antivirus
To remove Forest Start Tabs automatically, scanning the computer with this powerful anti-virus tool is recommended. This scanner does not just uncover known threats like viruses or malware, it is also effective in discovering browser hijacker like Forest Start Tabs that slows down online browsing activities.
1. Download Sophos Virus Removal Tool from the link below. Save the file on your computer where you can easily access it.
2. Once the download completes, browse the location of the file. Double-click to run the program and begin the install process.
3. On first windows of installation wizard, click Next to continue. Then, it will display the program’s License Agreement. You need to Accept the terms in order to proceed. If Windows prompts for User Account Control, please click Yes to proceed.
4. On succeeding windows, click Next or Continue to carry on with the installation. After completing the installation process, Launch Sophos Virus Removal Tool.
5. Internet connection is required when running this scanner in order to download important updates. Make sure that everything is up-to-date to effectively remove malicious program like Forest Start Tabs.
6. Click the button to carry out the Scan. This will check the system for presence of malicious objects, malware, and viruses. The tool reveals items that were found linked to Forest Start Tabs and other suspicious entities. Be sure to remove all identified threats.
The above procedures should have totally eliminated the Forest Start Tabs browser hijacker. However, if you found that there are still remnants of the threat, please proceed to manual removal of associated objects as outlined below.
Step 3 : Scan and Delete Adware with AdwCleaner
In addition to the procedure, we suggest scanning the computer with AdwCleaner tool. Possibly, there are some traces of Forest Start Tabs on the browser that was not deleted during the preceding steps. This tool will scan the computer and check for presence of malicious applications as well as invalid browser entries that produces hijacking, redirects, and pop-ups.
1. Follow the link below to download the tool called AdwCleaner.
2. When the download has completed, please close all running programs on the computer especially browsers affected by Forest Start Tabs.
3. Browse the location of the downloaded file and double-click on adwcleaner_Ver.exe to start running the tool. Then, click on Scan button.
4. AdwCleaner searches the computer for malicious programs, extensions, plug-ins, adware, and any items that may be associated to Forest Start Tabs. It will also check for suspicious entries on browser settings that is associated with the hijacker.
5. Clean or Remove all suspicious and harmful items identified after the thorough scan.
6. After the cleanup procedure, rebooting the computer is required to finalize the removal of detected threats.
Check if your internet browser application is no longer being bothered by Forest Start Tabs. If the browser hijacker still persists, please continue with the steps below to reset internet programs to default settings.
Optional : Reset Internet Browser Program
Cleaning your internet browser from clutter and unwanted add-on/extension is a must when dealing with Forest Start Tabs. The procedure below discuss on resetting various browsers to its default state.
Restore Google Chrome to Default Settings
Resetting Google Chrome to default settings is helpful in deleting hard-to-remove extension such as from Forest Start Tabs. This method is highly advisable to perform if you have difficulty in removing unwanted extension.
1. Open Google Chrome Internet browser.
2. On the address bar, type chrome://settings/reset and press Enter key.
3. Under Reset and clean up section, choose Restore settings to their original defaults.
4. Click Reset settings button to clear all entries of Forest Start Tabs.
5. Close the existing tab and restart Google Chrome. That should have removed Forest Start Tabs extension and associated objects.
Reset Mozilla Firefox to Default
This section describes how to remove unwanted extension from Firefox that may be related to Forest Start Tabs. This process can fix many browser issues by restoring Firefox to factory settings without affecting your essential information (bookmarks, browsing history, passwords, and Internet cookies) on the browser. If you desire to remove only specific extension, please see manual removal of add-on from Firefox.
1. Input the string about:support on Firefox web address and press Enter on keyboard.
2. You will now see the Troubleshooting Information page of Mozilla Firefox.
3. You will notice a section on upper-right corner of the screen stating Give Firefox a tune up. Click the Refresh Firefox button.
4. If confirmation window appears, click Refresh Firefox to continue.
5. Firefox browser will close and start the resetting process. When done, it will display a list of restored data. Forest Start Tabs should be gone by now. Click Finish to open a fresh version of Firefox.
Restore Internet Explorer to Default Settings
1. Open Internet Explorer and navigate to top menu. Click Tools, and then Internet Options.
2. Select Advanced tab on Internet Options window.
3. On lower part of the window, under Reset Internet Explorer Settings area, click the Reset button. Please see image for reference.
Your data like favorites, bookmark, and history will remain in the browser. However, this process may delete add-ons by Forest Start Tabs and other unknown objects. If you prefer to carry out the procedure manually, please add-on removal from Internet Explorer.
