Suspicious Startme.today search services

Startme.today is a typical potentially unwanted program (PUP) that falls into browser hijacker category. This suspicious software sneaks into the computer system to change victim’s browser settings and set Startme.today as default start and default search page. It is very similar to Startme.online virus.
Startme.today redirect virus replaces browser’s home page with a search site that looks surprisingly similar to default Chrome homepage or Google. It provides shortcuts leading to popular Internet websites and attempts to look like a trustworthy search site. However, the web page is not trustworthy, and it might customize search results it shows to the victim, filling them with links to affiliate websites.
This way, Startme.today attempts to cause redirects to external websites, increase their popularity and earn pay-per-click[1] revenue at the same time. Unfortunately, such redirects pose a threat to computer’s security and user’s privacy as they can lead to highly untrustworthy and unreputable sites.
In addition, having Startme.today browser hijacker on the system means allowing the developers of it collect information about your browsing habits. Therefore, you are going to reveal your browsing history, search queries and other related information including your IP address[2]. If you do not want to allow this hijacker to stalk your activities online, better remove Startme.today now.
Startme.today removal should be completed using instructions provided below the article, although there is an alternative removal method available. If you are not ready to delete the hijacker manually, you can uninstall it using anti-malware software like FortectIntego or SpyHunterCombo Cleaner.

Startme.online – yet another browser redirect virus
There is another browser hijacker that is named very similarly to Startme.today. Startme Online virus functions almost identically and can change your browser’s settings all of a sudden. To prevent it from taking over your current homepage and default search page settings, install new computer programs attentively.
According to Dieviren.de team[3], Startme.online redirect virus tends to serve paid search results and lure the user into external websites to earn commission for promoting them. Unfortunately, it is doubtful that the search engine’s developers endorse the content of promoted websites; therefore, careless use of Startme.online can lead to problems such as an additional computer infection.
Cyber security experts strongly advise deleting suspicious search tools that change your browser's settings without your knowledge. To remove Startme.online virus, use the same techniques we described earlier.
Distribution techniques
You can accidentally install a potentially unwanted program like a browser hijacker alongside free software you can download from the Internet. In order to avoid such situation, you have to be careful when installing free programs.
We suggest choosing Custom or Advanced installation options but NOT Default or Standard ones. Otherwise, you might be tricked into installing some unwanted components alongside your download.
After selecting the right installation option, deselect unwanted applications suggested to you. Remove the tick from suggestions that look like this:
- Yes, I agree to set Startme.today as my homepage and default;
- Install X Toolbar and set Y my default start page.
Remove Startme.today hijacker today
You can remove Startme.today virus from your computer easily if you follow the instructions provided below the article. It is not a critical computer threat, but it is better to delete it from the computer system to avoid possible problems.
Startme.today removal can be completed manually or automatically. For automatic removal option, install and scan your PC with anti-malware software. If you’d rather like to uninstall the hijacker manually, follow the guidances provided below.
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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