How to remove Fast Start

Fast Start is the unwanted application that triggers issues with the system

There are thousands of apps that are seemingly useful. However, in order to choose the right one, you have to check each of them as carefully as possible. In this article, we want to present you with an app called Fast Start from Lightningnewtab.com, which is promoted as a “Firefox extension based on Html5. It provides website fast dial to make you find your favorite websites ASAP, New Tab Start Page, Organize bookmarks, Custom backgrounds, custom dials.” Seems useful, isn't it?

At the moment of writing it's compatible with Mozilla Firefox only (at least that's what it's developers claim). However, several instances have been reported when this application was 'smoothly' working on Google Chrome and Internet Explorer as well. Despite its legitimate look, this application has been classified as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) because it is commonly distributed using deceptive methods.

Besides, it has been found that it's closely related to suspicious third parties and may be involved in the distribution of browser hijackers, such as Qone8.com, istart123.com, isearch.omiga-plus.com, and many others. Therefore, if it infiltrates the machine, you may start experiencing various inconveniences, such as modifications of browser's settings, redirects to unknown domains, an excessive amount of sponsored advertisements, and so on.

Fast Start New Tab virus may cause risk-posing redirects to suspicious websites, increase security vulnerabilities, cause system slowdowns, initiate an excessive amount of sponsored advertisements, and so on. However, you have to be very careful since it may be engaged in really suspicious activities, such as PUP distribution or sensitive data collection.

Are you wondering how to perceive that this hijacker has already infiltrated the machine? It has been found that Fast Start usually sets istart123.com as a default search provider and a start page, whereas Fast Start may become a new tab with a Google search box. If you have already experienced such modifications, we highly recommend you to check your machine with reputable anti-spyware and get rid of this extension without any delay. Try SpyHunter Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes Malwarebytes. You can also try Fortect Intego for the system repair.

Avoid deceiving content to keep machine virus-free

Fast Start (or Fast Start New Tab) is classified as a potentially unwanted program since it may infiltrate your machine, modify web browser's settings and continuously open a new tab without your permission asked. Such distribution method is known as 'bundling' and is directed in the distribution of software packages' when freeware is filled with attachments ads distributed in one pack with them.

This way, you may end up with several programs on your computer instead of one. After downloading freeware with attachment, you may start experiencing Fast Start redirects, which may force you to visit really suspicious websites. To prevent this from happening, you should select the Advanced or Custom installation option for installing every freeware, double-check everything, and deselect 'additional components' if you are offered to install any.

Rely on full system scan and remove Fast Start virus

We recommend Fast Start removal since it's closely related to other suspicious apps, which may also be awaiting removal. For more details, see the guide below. But browser-based threats are controlled by potentially unwanted programs that run in the background and trigger unwanted activities.

You need to run the anti-malware tool, so the machine is checked and all PUPs removed. If the program can detect the intruder it must remove the Fast Start program quickly. If you need help with web browser resetting, you can find additional tips below.

Uninstall from Windows

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.

Remove the unwanted program:

In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.

Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).

Delete leftover files and folders:

Select Go > Go to Folder.
Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.
Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

Reset Internet Explorer

Remove dangerous add-ons:

Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
Pick Manage Add-ons.
You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.

Change your homepage if it was altered:

Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
Select Internet Options.
In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
Click Apply and then select OK.

Delete temporary files:

Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
Under Browsing history, click Delete...
Select relevant fields and press Delete.

Reset Internet Explorer:

Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
Select Reset.
In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.

Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
Click Remove.

Clear cookies and other browser data:

Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
Then find On startup section.
Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
Select Details tab.
Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and site data:

Click on Menu and go to Settings.
Select Privacy, search and services.
Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
Under Time range, pick All time.
Select Clear now.

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

Click on Menu and select Settings.
On the left side, pick Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values.
Confirm with Reset.
This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
Select Add-ons.
In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.

Reset the homepage:

Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
Choose Settings.
Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.

Clear cookies and site data:

Click Menu and pick Settings.
Go to Privacy & Security section.
Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
Click on Clear Data...
Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.
Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.

Remove from Google Chrome

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

Click on Menu and pick Settings.
Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
Click Clear data.

Change your homepage:

Click menu and choose Settings.
Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.

Reset Google Chrome:

If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:

Click on Menu and select Settings.
In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
Confirm with Reset settings.

Delete from Safari

Remove dangerous extensions:

Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.

Clear history and website data:

Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.

Reset Safari:

Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.