Favtab.com

Favtab.com is a fake search engine and the name of the browser hijacker application that is promoting it. Browser hijackers are intrusive applications designed to take over users' Web browsers and force them to open a sponsored address. This annoying functionality is achieved by modifying several browser settings, mainly the homepage, new tab page, and the default search engine. In this case, all three will be set to open the favtab.com page.

It is highly unlikely for users to download a browser hijacker knowingly. These applications rely on deceptive distribution methods to hide their installation. Some of the more popular tactics include bundling and fake installers/updates. This questionable behavior serves as a basis for the classification of this type of application as PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs).

Using fake search engines should be avoided. They lack the ability to generate any meaningful results on their own and users are shown results taken from a legitimate engine, such as Bing, Google, Yahoo, etc. However, the fake engine may inject various sponsored advertisements leading to dubious or shady websites into the shown results.

PUPs may have another nasty surprise that is not visible at first glance. While users are preoccupied with restoring their browsers to their original states, the PUP may be collecting various information in the background silently. The user's browsing history, search history, visited websites, IP address, geolocation, and more could be packaged and then transmitted to a server controlled by the PUP's operators.