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  • Active
  • Severity: Medium
  • Browser Hijackers
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · May 2021

How to remove Newstartsearch.com virus

A step-by-step removal guide for affected devices. Follow the verified procedure below — most readers complete it in under 10 minutes.

Gabriel E. Hall · Passionate web researcher

Newstartsearch.com search engine is mostly used for advertising

Image of Newstartsearch.com

Newstartsearch.com is a questionable search engine created by Hopebest Inc. This tool is promoted in software packages and might become the browser’s homepage without asking for direct user’s permission. However, it’s only one reason why it is classified as a browser hijacker.

In the background, the app may track users' online activities and share them with some parties. Besides, it may also severely impair your information accessibility due to its ability to show ads at the top of the results once a search engine is used.

Name Newstartsearch.com
Type Browser hijacker
Distribution Software bundling, third-party sites
Operation Changes the homepage and the new tab address of the web browser and appends a customized search engine; exposes users to sponsored links and ads – these are placed at the top of search results
Uninstall Browser hijackers can usually be easily deleted – check the guide below
Optional steps We recommend using FortectIntego to remediate damaged system files and for a quick cleaning process of the web browsers

Once installed, this potentially unwanted application might also:

  • block access to other search providers;
  • alter Windows shortcuts and registry;
  • modify browser’s settings;
  • install additional browser extensions, plug-ins, and other applications;
  • include sponsored links into search results;
  • display ads;
  • track information about users.

The Newstartsearch.com virus is designed to take control over Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, and other popular browsers. In order to do that, after the infiltration, it might make modifications to the system. The PUP is created in a way that users cannot get rid of it simply.

The hijacker wants to stay as long as possible on the attacked web browser in order to provide users commercial content. Authors of the app profit from online advertising. Thus, you can expect to see sponsored links at the top of the search results page and each visited website.

When users click on commercial content, developers generate revenue. Although such a business model is legitimate, you should not help authors of this free search engine profit from your clicks because of suspicious redirect tendencies. According to the research, some commercial content redirects to potentially dangerous websites where you can be involved in cybercrime.

Apart from providing suspicious third-party content, this program is also suspected to be capable of altering search results. It seems that some of the sponsored links might be hidden among search results and presented as organic links. Thus, searching for useful information might become an annoying and complicated task.

Poor service is a pretty good reason to remove Newstartsearch.com from the browser. However, there’s one more feature that is related to your privacy. According to the Privacy Policy, it collects various information about users. Nevertheless, the majority of information is classified as non-personally identifiable;[1] aggregated data might also be shared with third parties.

Therefore, if you value your privacy, you should follow the instructions below and get rid of the hijacker immediately. However, we suggest opting for an easier elimination option and scan the PC with SpyHunterCombo Cleaner. Automatic PUP removal assures 100% success and saves your time. Also, FortectIntego can be used to achieve system recovery quicker.

The picture of Newstartsearch.com virus

The hijack might occur during the installation of freeware

This potentially unwanted application has been spotted spreading as an optional component in software packages. It seems that it’s the only distribution method because you cannot find “download” or “install” link in the main page.

Creators of the PUPs take advantage of users bad habits. Undesired applications are hidden under “Quick” or “Recommended” settings. Although they do not openly disclose about third-party software; they are still popular among computer users.

Our colleagues from FaraVirus[2] reminds that rushing with software installation might lead to bigger problems than the infiltration of PUPs. You might also agree to install malicious programs. [3]Thus, you should get rid of your bad habit and learn to install software correctly.

In order to avoid unwanted programs, you should install new software using “Quick” or “Recommended” settings. One of the steps might show the list of optional downloads. Usually, they are pre-selected, so your task is to unmark them. It’s the only way to stop all undesired apps from getting inside your PC.

Ways to wipe out Newstartsearch.com virus entirely

There are two methods how you can remove newstartsearch.com. One of them suggests doing it on your own. However, if you chose the manual elimination option, you should take our offered help and use the instructions provided below.

We want to point out that manual removal requires looking up suspicious programs and browser extensions. If you leave some of the virus-related components, your browser might be re-hijacked, or your activities online might still be tracked.

If you want to avoid failure and be confident that the removal was successful, we suggest opting for the second elimination option. Automatic removal requires scanning the system with an anti-malware/anti-spyware tool.

Uninstall from Windows

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

  1. Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 10/8

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 7/XP

Remove the unwanted program:

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

Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

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

Delete leftover files and folders:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
  3. Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.Delete leftover files from Mac
  4. Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

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

Clear cookies and other browser data:

  1. Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. 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.Clear Edge browsing data

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

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

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

  1. Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
  3. Select Details tab.
  4. 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.Reset MS Edge

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

  1. Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
  2. Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chromium Edge

Clear cache and site data:

  1. Click on Menu and go to Settings.
  2. Select Privacy, search and services.
  3. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  4. Under Time range, pick All time.
  5. Select Clear now.Clear browser data from Chroum Edge

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

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

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

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

Reset the homepage:

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

Clear cookies and site data:

  1. Click Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security section.
  3. Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
  4. Click on Clear Data...
  5. Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

Reset Mozilla Firefox

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

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
  2. Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.Reset Firefox 1
  3. Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
  4. Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.Reset Firefox 2

Remove from Google Chrome

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

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

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

  1. Click on Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
  3. Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
  4. Click Clear data.Clear cache and web data from Chrome

Change your homepage:

  1. Click menu and choose Settings.
  2. Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
  3. 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:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
  4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm with Reset settings.Reset Chrome 2

Delete from Safari

Remove dangerous extensions:

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

Clear history and website data:

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

Reset Safari:

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

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