Faststartpage.com – a fake search engine that shows tons of misleading ads

Faststartpage.com virus does not deserve to lurk in your computer system, so if you have a suspicion that it could silently install itself on your PC, take action to remove it immediately. When this browser-hijacking[1] software sets itself upon the compromised computer system, it adjusts browser settings and converts all browsers into slaves that automatically launch the Net-quick.com search engine without the user’s request to do that.
The indicated URL gets assigned to the browser’s homepage, new tab, and default search settings, and what is even worse, this web address might be added to a particular Windows Registry Key[2], which controls your browser’s homepage settings.
In other words, this browser hijacker does as many changes in computer settings as possible to assure that the victim won’t be able to remove it easily. But since you came to us for help, we will explain how to eliminate this threat and restore default browser settings.
| name | Faststartpage.com virus |
|---|---|
| Type | PUP, browser hijacker |
| Symptoms | When you open your browser, a new homepage, default search engine, and new tabs are appointed; search inquiries going through an unknown search engine; search results are riddled with deceptive ads |
| Risks | Monetery losses, privacy issues, malware infections |
| Distribution | Fake Flash Player updates, software bundles, freeware |
| Elimination | To remove any possibly dangerous or unwanted apps, scan your device with a reliable security tool |
| System health | To repair any alterations infections did to core system files and settings, we highly recommend using the FortectIntego system tune-up tool |
Once Faststartpage.com browser hijacker gets installed, your browsers will launch a blank white page with a “S e a r c h” sign on it and a search box that claims it is “Google Custom Search.” This search engine delivers modified search results that are full of pre-planned entries, and the authors of this search tool hope that victims will click on them.
If they do, they encounter a very annoying problem – browser redirects, which can throw them onto hazardous[3] third-party affiliate websites. Those sites may try to involve you in various tech support scams, draw out your personal details, infect your device with malware, etc.
If you would like to avoid problems that might await you on these vague websites, better remove Faststartpage.com redirect virus from your PC. You can do that manually, with our illustrated instructions at the bottom of the page, or automatically, by scanning your infected device with MalwarebytesMalwarebytes, SpyHunterCombo Cleaner, or another reliable security software.
Once you've picked either of those methods and removed the browser hijacker from your device, you have to take care of the overall health of your device's system. Our recommendation would be to use the FortectIntego PC repair software as it will delete all tracking cookies and restore corrupted system files.
How did the PUP end up on my device?
Browser hijackers, ad-supported programs[4], and similar hijackware typically spreads with the help of software bundling trick, which helps to make computer users agree to install them on their devices in a legitimate way without even notifying them first.
We suppose you are keen to find out how this happens and how you can protect yourself from such unsolicited downloads. First of all, we strongly recommend you to watch what kind of websites offer you the downloads that you are looking for. If you can see an excessive amount of annoying ads that suggest installing something, or if you can see fake download button everywhere and it is hard to understand which one is supposed to download your desired program, better quit that site because it apparently wants to trick you into installing shady software.
Finally, when you find a secure site to download your desired program from, remain vigilant and install your download properly. You have to choose Custom or Advanced settings[5] and read the information provided by them to avoid installing unwanted software.
How to remove Faststartpage.com hijacker from the computer?
Faststartpage.com virus is not a pleasant occurrence, and it can cause browser stability problems, redirections to suspicious Internet portals, and other issues. To remove the intruder, rely on tips from our security experts. We advise you to follow these comprehensive removal instructions and delete the hijacker manually.
If you want to rest assured that you completely deleted all files related to potentially unwanted programs, run a free scan with anti-malware software. A proper security tool won't let you install PUP and protect your device from other malicious programs.
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.
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.

Did this guide help?
4 comments
Lisa1990
I wish I knew how to avoid browser hijacking like two years ago. I found more than five of them in my computer!
dobby
Hello and thank you for the tutorial - i found the bad browser extension and also scanned my system with reimage afterwards. all good!
rocketxa
I guess I will never understand how these browser hijackers are considered to be legitimate programs.
marshall
helpful tips - removed the virus with ease. :)