Searchstartnow.com browser hijacker (Free Guide)

Searchstartnow.com browser hijacker Removal Guide

What is Searchstartnow.com browser hijacker?

Searchstartnow.com is a browser hijacker that shows unwanted ads while you browse the web

Searchstartnow.comSearchstartnow.com is a potentially unwanted application that takes over Chrome or another browser

Searchstartnow.com is a web address that you may suddenly notice taking over your homepage and new tab every time you open your web browser. This is a common phenomenon known as browser hijacking, which occurs when a potentially unwanted application is installed on your device without your consent.

These applications are typically not intentionally installed by users and are often spread through software bundles. Unfortunately, many users accidentally allow the infiltration of these programs by neglecting to carefully read through the installation instructions. In some cases, people may also fall victim to a fake update or other misleading ads that convinces them to install the hijacker.

Once installed on your system, Searchstartnow.com will become your homepage and a new tab for your browser, drastically altering the way you browse the web. Instead of using the default search provider, this hijacker will use its own customized one, which is not a good thing. The search results will be altered, and the top results will be filled with ads and sponsored links. This is typical behavior for browser hijackers and can severely hinder your ability to find the information you need online.

Name Searchstartnow.com
Type Browser hijacker, potentially unwanted application
Distribution Bundled software, third-party websites, misleading ads
Symptoms A browser extension or an application installed on the device; homepage and new tab address set to Searchstartnow.com; ads and sponsored links in search results and elsewhere; promotion of other PUPs
Risks Installation of other potentially unwanted programs/malware, personal data disclosure to unknown parties, monetary loss
Removal Remove the undesirable browser extension by going to your browser's settings. Using SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner security software to check the system can also ensure that no malware is running in the background
Other tips After removing all potentially unwanted applications, we recommend you employ the FortectIntego utility to clean your web browsers and repair any damaged system files

Browser hijackers are minor infections that can negatively impact your security and browsing quality

If you notice that your web browser is behaving erratically and redirecting you to Searchstartnow.com, you may have a potentially unwanted application installed. These apps often take the form of browser extensions and can negatively impact your browsing experience.

While these apps are not necessarily harmful, they are not beneficial either. They often display suspicious and deceptive characteristics, leading to unwanted changes to your browser's settings.

One of the most noticeable changes that Searchstartnow.com can make is to replace your browser's default search engine. Instead of seeing search results that accurately reflect your query, you may see numerous ads and clicks that benefit Searchstartnow.com's creators. This can be frustrating and can make it difficult to find the information you need.

Additionally, browser hijackers can expose you to questionable and potentially dangerous content. They may redirect you to websites that contain malware or other harmful content, putting your system at risk.

Fortunately, it is relatively easy to remove these unwanted applications from your system. You can start by checking your list of installed programs and removing any suspicious applications – we explain the procedure below.

Searchstartnow.com hijackSearchstartnow.com shows suspicious search results that are not trustworthy

Remove Searchstartnow.com from your browser and system

Removing the Searchstartnow.com browser hijacker can be a bit challenging, especially if you are not sure which application is causing the issue. If you have numerous applications installed on your device, it might be difficult to determine the one responsible for the changes in your browser settings. However, removing the hijacker is essential since it can compromise your online security and privacy.

Manually removing browser hijackers can be easy in most cases. However, some of these programs can root themselves into your system, making it impossible to remove them manually. In such cases, it is advisable to use anti-malware software like SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes. These tools can quickly scan your system, identify malicious programs, and remove them completely.

If you suspect that Searchstartnow.com is installed on your browser as an extension, the first step towards removal is accessing your browser settings. Look for an extension named “Search Start Now” or something similar, and remove it immediately. Note that this may not always be the case, and the application responsible for the browser changes could have a different name. Therefore, running a full system scan is essential to identify and remove any malicious programs.

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.Remove extensions from Chrome

Mozilla Firefox

  • Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the window's top-right).
  • Select Add-ons.
  • In here, select the unwanted plugin and click Remove.Remove extensions from Firefox

MS Edge (Chromium)

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

Safari

  • Click Safari > Preferences…
  • In the new window, pick Extensions.
  • Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.Remove extensions from Safari

After successfully removing Searchstartnow.com and other unwanted applications from your system, you must clear your browser's caches, cookies, and other web data. These items store information about your browsing behavior and can remain on your system even after the elimination of the unwanted program. This can allow for further data gathering, which may compromise your privacy and security.

To ensure the complete removal of these leftover files, it's recommended to use reliable software such as FortectIntego to clean your browser's data. Alternatively, you can also follow the manual steps provided by your browser to clear your cache and cookies. It's important to regularly clean your browser's data to avoid any unwanted tracking and improve your browsing experience.

Google 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.Clear cache and web data from Chrome

Mozilla Firefox

  • Click Menu and pick Options.
  • 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.Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

MS Edge (Chromium)

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

Safari

  • Click Safari > Clear History…
  • From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
  • Confirm with Clear History.Clear cookies and website data from Safari

How to prevent PUP infections

Searchstartnow.com is a browser hijacker that can easily sneak into your system without your knowledge. The developers of this hijacker use deceptive techniques to distribute their program to a large number of unsuspecting users. Once the program is installed on your system, it can cause significant damage to your browsing experience.

The primary way that browser hijackers spread is through free software downloads from third-party websites. Most users often neglect the installation process and blindly click through the steps without reading the instructions, allowing optional components to slip in. This is precisely how Searchstartnow.com can find its way onto your computer.

To avoid being infected with Searchstartnow.com or any other browser hijacker, it is essential to follow some basic precautions. First, you should download software only from official sources whenever possible. Second, install reputable anti-malware software, such as SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes, to receive a warning about PUPs and malware. Third, read the instructions for each step of the installation process, including the fine print, uncheck pre-ticked checkboxes, and be wary of misplaced buttons. Finally, always choose Advanced/Custom settings instead of Recommended/Quick settings if available.

It is also important to be careful when browsing unsafe websites, as you could unintentionally install a browser hijacker by clicking on a deceptive advertisement or a false update notification. Always avoid downloading anything from sites that claim your system is incomplete or needs an update, as this could lead to malware infections.

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What to do if failed?
If you failed to fix virus damage using Fortect Intego, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.
Fortect Intego has a free limited scanner. Fortect Intego offers more through scan when you purchase its full version. When free scanner detects issues, you can fix them using free manual repairs or you can decide to purchase the full version in order to fix them automatically.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Fortect, try running SpyHunter 5.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Intego, try running Combo Cleaner.

How to prevent from getting browser hijacker

Protect your privacy – employ a VPN

There are several ways how to make your online time more private – you can access an incognito tab. However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of Private Internet Access VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise. Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and Private Internet Access VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals. 

No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool

If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers – human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence. In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.

If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. Data Recovery Pro is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market – it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.

About the author
Gabriel E. Hall
Gabriel E. Hall - Passionate web researcher

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