Why is StartPage.info search engine called a virus?
StartPage.info virus is a browser hijacker[1] that pretends to be the world’s most private search engine. According to the developers, the search engine delivers Google search results and protects user’s privacy. The search engine stands between Google and the user, and in this way is supposed to prevent Google from tracking[2] information about him or her. In other words, StartPage claims to provide anonymous search results. However, no matter how great this service may seem, cyber security specialists warn about its shady distribution strategy. StartPage.info browser hijacker spreads in the software bundles. Once it gets inside the computer, it may alter targeted browser’s settings and set its domain as default search engine. Sadly, it does not always leave computer’s owner the right to replace it and use preferred search engine. You may need extra help to remove StartPage.info from the browser. Though, if this website appeared on you browser unexpectedly, scan your PC with FortectIntego and let it get rid of the hijacker.
The developers of this search engine provide lots of information and links to other sources related to online privacy[3]. Also, they are willing to help people via their support center. However, the majority of search engines that are categorized as a browser hijackers have the same problem – they may alter search results. So-called StartPage.info virus claims to deliver results from Google; however, no one can assure that in the results page you won’t see sponsored third-party links. Bear in mind that this tool is free to use and developers probably are interested in generating revenue. Therefore, modifying search results and including affiliates’ links might be one of the ways to make money. However, there might be some problems related to StartPage.info redirect issues. Some of the links delivered on the results page might lead to the insecure or infected websites[4]. Nevertheless, this search engine has been certified by EuroPriSe[5]; its ability to travel in the software bundles look shady. Despite the fact that computer users should pay attention to software installation process, we do not believe that programs should appear on the computer without asking direct permission. Hence, we suggest StartPage.info removal if it hijacked your browser.

How does it spread?
StartPage can be set as homepage and installed to the browser directly from the official website. Though, as we already mentioned, it has another distribution method. The program might be attached to the freeware or shareware as an optional component. The majority of potentially unwanted programs are being distributed in this way because developers are aware of the fact that users rarely pay attention to software installation procedure and often rely on Basic/Quick installation settings. Therefore, if you want to avoid StartPage.info hijack and other PUPs, you should get used to installing new programs under Advanced/Custom settings. However, you have to follow each step carefully and look for pre-selected entries or statements agreeing to make StartPage.info as your homepage. Make sure you deselect all these offers.
StartPage.info removal suggestions
If this application got inside the computer in the software bundle, the best way to get rid of it is to scan the computer with the anti-malware program. You cannot be sure what other PUPs might have been installed on your device, and automatic StartPage.info removal assures that all suspicious entries are eliminated from the system. Of course, you can investigate computer’s system on your own. However, you have to be attentive because if you leave some hijacker-related components, you may end up with another hijack. To make this process easier, we have prepared illustrated instructions how to remove StartPage.info manually 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.

Did this guide help?
3 comments
steohany
my poor browser was hijacked!!
Phill
Thanks for the instructions, the virus is gone.
kalev
StartPage.info hijacked my browser twice... How is it possible?!