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Posted: May 21, 2014

Threat Metric

The Threat Meter is a malware assessment that SpywareRemove.com's research team is able to give every identifiable malware threat. Our Threat Meter includes several criteria based off of specific malware threats to value their severity, reach and volume. The Threat Meter is able to give you a numerical breakdown of each threat's initial Threat Level, Detection Count, Volume Count, Trend Path and Percentage Impact. The overall ranking of each threat in the Threat Meter is a basic breakdown of how all threats are ranked within our own extensive malware database. The scoring for each specific malware threat can be easily compared to other emerging threats to draw a contrast in its particular severity. The Threat Meter is a useful tool in the endeavor of seeking a solution to remove a threat or pursue additional analytical research for all types of computer users.

The following fields listed on the Threat Meter containing a specific value, are explained in detail below:

Threat Level: The threat level scale goes from 1 to 10 where 10 is the highest level of severity and 1 is the lowest level of severity. Each specific level is relative to the threat's consistent assessed behaviors collected from SpyHunter's risk assessment model.

Detection Count: The collective number of confirmed and suspected cases of a particular malware threat. The detection count is calculated from infected PCs retrieved from diagnostic and scan log reports generated by SpyHunter.

Volume Count: Similar to the detection count, the Volume Count is specifically based on the number of confirmed and suspected threats infecting systems on a daily basis. High volume counts usually represent a popular threat but may or may not have infected a large number of systems. High detection count threats could lay dormant and have a low volume count. Criteria for Volume Count is relative to a daily detection count.

Trend Path: The Trend Path, utilizing an up arrow, down arrow or equal symbol, represents the level of recent movement of a particular threat. Up arrows represent an increase, down arrows represent a decline and the equal symbol represent no change to a threat's recent movement.

% Impact (Last 7 Days): This demonstrates a 7-day period change in the frequency of a malware threat infecting PCs. The percentage impact correlates directly to the current Trend Path to determine a rise or decline in the percentage.

Threat Level:	1/10
Infected PCs:	76

First Seen:	August 19, 2013
OS(es) Affected:	Windows

DefaultTab is a search engine hijacker or program that redirects your browser's searches to arbitrary search sites. With results that are unlikely to be accurate or safe and a history of being difficult to uninstall, DefaultTab is a shining example of a Potentially Unwanted Program that does more harm than good to your browser, regardless of its marketing assertions. Deleting DefaultTab with a dependable PC security product is the resolution to DefaultTab's issues most often recommended by malware analysts.

When Your 'Default' Tab isn't Always Your Best One

DefaultTab is a browser add-on that may be installed through InstallIQ, a bundler utility that installs multiple applications through a single may cause users of its unwanted browser functions to be unaware of its presence – at least, until its advertisements and redirects manifest. Internet Explorer, Firefox and Chrome all may be affected by variants of DefaultTab, and may present the following symptoms:

Your default search engine may be locked to a search site chosen by DefaultTab, regardless of your browser's own settings.
Similarly, your homepage also may be reset to one chosen by DefaultTab.
'Page not found' errors also may be redirected to an alternative error page of DefaultTab's choice.

While DefaultTab makes claims to be able to increase the speed and quality of your online searches, malware researchers have failed to find any correlation to reality in these marketing boasts. Like most browser hijackers, DefaultTab does not have any verifiable benefits for your Web-surfing experience, regardless of which browser, search engine or homepage you might prefer.

Experiencing Relief from the Tabs You didn't Pick

DefaultTab is not considered threatening, but being redirected to sites, not of your choosing, may be one of the most straightforward ways to subject your PC to potential Web-based attacks, including phishing-based data collection, social engineering hoaxes and even covert distribution of threats. Blocking all of these possibilities from your browser should be achievable with appropriate safety protocols, along with removing DefaultTab and other PUPs that are probable sources of various security lapses. Even so, avoiding DefaultTab at all also should be simple for PC users who scan suspicious installers and avoid sites that distribute PUPs on a routine basis.

Since DefaultTab sometimes may be installed through methods that could allow for threat installation, as well, you should eye any security risks related to DefaultTab's presence with all appropriate caution. Malware experts would recommend undertaking a complete anti-malware scan of any PC affected by DefaultTab, even once you have removed DefaultTab appropriately. All too often, a simple problem like a browser hijacker is a distraction from backdoor Trojans and other threats that have few signs to make themselves detectable.

DefaultTab Ads

Threat Metric

When Your 'Default' Tab isn't Always Your Best One

Experiencing Relief from the Tabs You didn't Pick

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