The main information about StartPageing123 virus
Startpageing123 virus (also known as StartPageing123.com virus) belongs to the large group of potentially unwanted programs (PUP)[1]. Due to its features, it is classified as a browser hijacker. This cyber parasite spreads in the software bundles and pretends to be a legitimate search engine that provides an “ultimate online search experience.” According to the developers, it helps to find the best search results on the Web. Indeed, the program delivers results from Google web, images, videos and news categories. Nevertheless, it looks like an ordinary search engine; cyber security specialists suggest staying away from it. StartPageing123 browser hijacker might take over the targeted web browsers and alter their settings[2]. After the hijack, people may notice that their homepage, default search engine, and new tab URL address are replaced with this one. Replacing it with different one might also be impossible because hijackers often modify registry or shortcuts, and prevent from making any customizations. Browser hijackers are usually used as marketing tools; thus, having full control over web browsers helps to promote various products or services. Only StartPageing123 removal allows escaping unwanted redirects, aggressive ads, and questionable links. Therefore, after noticing this website as the default homepage, it’s recommended to scan the computer with FortectIntego or other reputable anti-malware program and get rid of this cyber infection.
StartPageing123 virus is closely related to other suspicious search services as Mylucky123.com or LuckySearch123.com. One of the main problems with questionable search engines is that they might be capable of modifying search results. Nevertheless, this search engine provides results from Google at the moment; this situation might change quickly. What is more, browser hijacker might deliver an excessive amount of online ads, banners, pop-ups, in-text, etc. Online ads are annoying; however, covered content and the frozen browser is nothing compared with StartPageing123 redirect issues. Some of the links or ads might lead to the dangerous websites where you can encounter malware[3] or tricked to install bogus software. These ads might be eye-catching and interesting because hijacker collects information about the users. Aggregated information is used for providing interest-based ads; though, it’s easy to be tricked to click on a malware-laden ad[4]. What is more, information about your might be shared or sold with third-parties. Therefore, we do not recommend keeping this program on the computer. It’s better to remove StartPageing123 as soon as it appears on the browser.
How can the virus infect the computer?
Browser hijackers are not real viruses[5]; thus they cannot travel and infiltrate computers themselves. They spread as optional components in the software bundles. For this reason, it’s important to install free programs downloaded from the Internet carefully and attentively. StartPageing123 hijack might occur when installing freeware or shareware under Quick, Basic or Recommended settings. These settings do not openly disclose about additional applications and install them by default. Thus, modifications on the browsers are often a surprise for many computer users. In order to avoid browser hijacker and other PUPs, it’s important to rely on Advanced or Custom installation setups. However, choosing these options is not enough. Users have to monitor each installation step because one of them might include the list of additional downloads. Usually, these entries are pre-selected; hence, rushing to click “Next” button might let them sneak inside. It’s important to deselect all additional applications or statements agreeing to make StartPageing123.com or another shady website as your homepage.
StartPageing123 removal options
Altered browser’s settings are the main sign of a browser hijacker residing on the system. It’s recommended to perform StartPageing123 removal immediately because hijacker might be capable of installing third-party applications, extensions or plugins, tracking information about users and sharing with partners, and causing other problems. The easiest and quickest way to locate and remove browser hijacker is to run a full system scan with anti-malware/anti-spyware program. Additionally, you can perform this procedure manually. Our prepared instructions below will help to find and remove StartPageing123 from the computer and web browsers along with all its components.
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.
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