Mega Media Start (Easy Removal Guide) - Free Instructions
Mega Media Start Removal Guide
What is Mega Media Start?
Mega Media Start – a questionable browser extension that provides fast access to movie watching and other popular websites
Mega Media Start is presented as a rogue browser extension which injects supposedly useful features after stealth installation. The browser hijacker[1] occupies web browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Internet Explorer and appears as a suspicious extension. Users who have been infected have a big chance of viewing changes in their browser's homepage, new tab URL, and the search engine sections. Mega Media Start virus modifies these directories to chrome-extension://ipppaabbmnphdfjcnbjjbmimefomegjd/index.html. However, this potentially unwanted program is completely useless as it generates and provides search results from Yahoo.com. Additionally, it might bring other unpleasant activities which are not worth the “useful” features that this application offers.
| Name | Mega Media Start |
|---|---|
| Program type | Browser hijacker/potentially unwanted program |
| New search engine | chrome-extension://ipppaabbmnphdfjcnbjjbmimefomegjd/index.html |
| Extension | Mega Media Start |
| Search results | Search query results are provided from Yahoo.com |
| Browsers infected | Chrome, Firefox, Explorer, Edge, Safari |
| Appearance from | Third-party apps, questionable pages, links, and ads |
| Detection and cleaning | Use FortectIntego to scan the entire system and remove all potentially unwanted content |
| Manual removal | Available. Check for instructions below the article |
Mega Media Start redirects users to affiliate websites where potentially dangerous content might be distributed. Redirects might be caused throughout suspicious advertising posts or hyperlinks that might be provided by the browser-hijacking application. Be aware of redirecting and advertising activities as they might take you to malware-laden web pages.
Furthermore, Mega Media Start performs changes in various browser directories, including the main search engine. Once the engine is modified, users are forced to receive search results from this new engine and can reverse the changes only by eliminating the browser hijacker and its questionable-looking extension from the infected web browser application.
Nevertheless, having Mega Media Start extension on your web browser might relate to non-personal data tracking. Potentially unwanted programs such as this are capable of gathering browsing-related details for income-bringing purposes. The PUP gathers information such as links clicked, pages visited, IP addresses, saved bookmarks, geolocation,[2] etc.
Removing the suspicious browser extension and cleaning infected web browsers is the best option you can make. Use FortectIntego for some help. This software will allow you to perform a full system scan and detect all potentially dangerous content on the computer. After that, you can effectively and safely proceed with the Mega Media Start removal.
Remove Mega Media Start from your Windows machine and check all web browser applications that you have been using lately as dubious content might be hiding in them also. If you do not remove browser hijacking-related components from all of your computer directories, the potentially unwanted program might renew its activity within the next boot.
If you have been infected with Mega Media Start, you will supposedly receive a big variety of activities and signs infection. The more accurate you are, the sooner you will be able to clean your machine. Browser hijackers often plant these types of changes on infected browsers and machines/devices:
- Modifying the URL tab, homepage, and search engine.
- Suspicious extensions might be spotted in the browser's settings.
- Redirecting activities can start taking the user to odd pages.
- Advertising posts might be appearing on infected browsers frequently.
- Browsers might start struggling due to the number of intrusive activities performed.
Browser hijacker developers use secret techniques for distribution purposes
According to security experts from Virusai.lt website,[3] suspicious applications such as browser hijackers might be promoted on their official web pages or even on some Internet stores but mostly, these types of PUPs are spread by using stealth techniques such as installation through other software, injection into dubious hyperlinks and advertisements.
What you can do to prevent browser hijacker appearance on your machine and web browser applications is staying cautious every time while browsing the Internet sphere and completing computing work. First of all, it is important to properly check all incoming downloads. You can do this by opting for the Custom or Advanced configuration.
Continuously, keep a distance from third-party sources, especially peer-to-peer networks[4] where suspicious content might also be distributed. Since various secondary links or questionable advertising posts might carry unpleasant content, malware developers also misuse such directories to place their malicious software and attract victims.
Removal tips for Mega Media Start browser hijacker
If you have been bothered by Mega Media Start browser hijacker recently, there is no need of continuing such unpleasant activities as there are even two simple ways in which you can achieve the removal of such potentially unwanted program. Note that, it is important not only to clean your computer system but also to check possibly-infected web browsers.
You can remove Mega Media Start virus from the system by using reputable anti-malware software. These tools will carry out the entire process just in a few minutes of time and make sure that you do not deal with any problems after the process is finished. However, there is another way you can terminate the browser hijacker if you are interested.
Mega Media Start removal can be achieved by using the step-by-step guide which is provided a little bit lower, at the end of this article. We have written these instructions for guiding users throughout the entire process and helping them to bring web browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, and others back to their previous states.
You may remove virus damage with a help of FortectIntego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
Getting rid of Mega Media Start. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
If you have spotted any browser hijacking signs on your Windows computer, you can easily and effectively get rid of them by using the below-given guidelines:
Instructions for Windows 10/8 machines:
- Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
- From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
- Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
- If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
- Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK.
If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
- At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
- In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
- Click OK once the removal process is finished.
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 on Uninstall at the bottom.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select everything (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 Disable if you found any suspicious domain.
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.
If this solution failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method. Note that you need to backup your data before proceeding.
- Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
- Right-click on them and pick Delete
- Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- When the new window opens, copy and paste the following command, and then press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose
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.
Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
The following guide is here to help you to bring Mozilla Firefox back to its previous state after all of the browser hijacking activity that was performed on this browser:
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 unwanted plugin and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Options.
- Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.
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, as well as Cached Web Content and press 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
Clean your Google Chrome web browser application from all unpleasant browser extensions and reverse all suspicious changes that have been performed by the potentially unwanted program:
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 the suspicious plugins that might be 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 unwanted extensions from Safari:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- Go to Advanced tab.
- Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches.
After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware. This will help you to get rid of Mega Media Start registry traces and will also identify related parasites or possible malware infections on your computer. For that you can use our top-rated malware remover: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
How to prevent from getting browser hijacker
Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are
There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity. While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.
Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.
Data backups are important – recover your lost files
Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data. Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.
While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as Data Recovery Pro can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.
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- ^ What are browser hijackers?. Norton. Internet Security.
- ^ Jake Frankenfield. Geolocation. Investopedia. Relevant terms and definitions.
- ^ Virusai.lt. Virusai.lt. Spyware news.
- ^ James Cope. What's a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Network?. Computer World. Articles.