Startwebsearch.com virus. How to remove? (Uninstall guide)
Appearance of the Startwebsearch.com might cause browsing-related problems
Startwebsearch.com looks like an ordinary search engine that allows customizing its appearance and make searching more convenient than ever before. However, research revealed that it’s just an empty promise. This program works as a browser hijacker[1] that might take over Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Firefox and other browsers.
In the About page, authors of the Start Web Search claim that it delivers “search results from trusted search providers, ensuring you reliably find the information you’re looking for in an instant.” Currently, this tool redirects to Bing search results page. Indeed, Bing is a reliable search engine, but if you are willing to use it, you should make it your default search yourself.
The Startwebsearch.com virus might affect targeted web browsers and alter their settings without asking user’s permission. It might happen when a person installs new programs incorrectly. Following successful infiltration, the hijacker might set its domain as default search engine, homepage or/and new tab URL address.
Nevertheless, this tool barely differs from well-known search providers that offer the same web, images, news and video search; this one might cause plenty undesired activities, such as:
- delivery of an excessive amount of online ads;
- redirects to promotional sites;
- installation of third-party applications;
- data tracking.
Although the main page includes links to the Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions pages, they are inactive. Thus, neither users nor we can learn about developers and how they treat users’ information.
According to the security experts, Startwebsearch.com might be capable of tracking information about users. Most likely it includes non-personally identifiable and browsing-related information. However, users are advised to uninstall this program immediately to avoid putting their privacy at risk.
Startwebsearch.com removal is also recommended because the hijacker might make browsing the web unbearable by displaying tons of online ads and other commercial content. Users report that they were also redirected to unknown promotional websites. Undoubtedly, these activities are annoying and make browsing the web unbearable.
To avoid an unexpected visit to the potentially dangerous website and protect sensitive information[2] from unknown companies, you should scan the computer with Reimage. This anti-malware will help to remove Startwebsearch.com from the system safely.
Click 'Start -> Control Panel -> Programs and Features' (if you are 'Windows XP' user, click on 'Add/Remove Programs').
If you are 'Windows 10 / Windows 8' user, then right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once 'Quick Access Menu' shows up, select 'Control Panel' and 'Uninstall a Program'.
Right click on each of suspicious entries and select 'Uninstall'
Right click on browsers' icon and select 'Properties'
Select 'Shortcut' tab and delete 'http://isearch.babylon.com...' or other suspicious URL
Cick 'Go' and select 'Applications'
Click on every malicious entry and select 'Move to Trash'
Click on menu icon and select 'Manage add-ons'
Right click on each of malicious entries and select 'Disable'
Delete malicious URL, enter your desired domain name and click 'Apply' to save changes
Go to 'Advanced' tab and click on 'Reset' button. Now select 'Delete personal settings' and click on 'Reset' button again
Go to Settings and select 'Choose what to clear'
Select 'Clear' button
Open the start menu and select 'Task Manager'
Right-click 'Microsoft Edge' and select 'Go to details'
Select 'More details' if 'Go to details' option fails to show up
Find Microsoft Edge entries and select 'End Task'
Go to Microsoft Edge folder on your computer, right-click every entry and click 'Delete'
Find Windows PowerShell, right-click it and select 'Run as administrator'
Copy and paste a required command and press 'Enter'
Click on menu icon and select 'Add-ons'
Select 'Extensions' and look for malicious entries. Click 'Remove' to get rid of each of them
When in 'General' tab, delete malicious URL from 'Home Page' section or click on 'Restore to Default' button. Click 'OK' to save changes
Click on menu icon and then on '?'. Select 'Troubleshooting Information'
Click on 'Reset Firefox' button for a couple of times
Click on menu icon. Select 'Tools' and 'Extensions'
Look for malicious entries and delete each of them by clicking on the Trash bin icon
After clicking on menu and 'Settings', select 'Set pages'
Click 'X' to remove malicious URLs
When in 'Settings', select 'Manage search engines...'
Click 'X' to remove malicious URLs
When in 'Settings', scroll down to 'Reset browser settings' button and click on it
Click on 'Reset' button to complete your removal
Click on 'Safari' and select 'Preferences'
Go to 'Extensions' and uninstall malicious add-ons
When in 'General', delete malicious URL and enter your desired domain name
Click on 'Safari' and select 'Reset Safari...'
Select all options and click on 'Reset' button
The hijacker might show up on the browser after incorrect installation of freeware
The main page of the search engine does not provide a download link. Thus, users are not likely to find and use this search tool on their own. Indeed, developers rely on bundling – a deceptive software marketing method.
This method allows spreading the PUP bundled with freeware and shareware as an “additional download.” When users install applications from the Internet under “Quick” setup, all optional applications are downloaded silently. Thus, Startwebsearch.com hijack usually becomes a surprise.
Fortunately, there’s a way to avoid unpleasant surprises. All you have to do is:
- to install programs from the official or legitimate websites and avoid torrents, P2P networks or unknown file-sharing domains;
- to read the Privacy Policy to learn about data collection, storage and sharing with third-parties;
- to read EULA to make sure that you are not installing additional software;
- to choose “Advanced” installation settings;
- to unmark pre-select additional programs.
The hijacker was noticed actively spreading in the United Kingdom.[3] However, users in other countries should be vigilant and avoid installation of the hijacker too.
Removal guidelines of the Startwebsearch.com virus
If you feel skilled enough, you can remove Startwebsearch.com manually. You have to uninstall browser hijacker and all its related components from the computer and each of the web browsers. Once these entries are wiped out, you have to reset Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Explorer or another browser you use.
If you are willing to opt for an easier Startwebsearch.com removal option, you should choose professional security software. Install and update the program before running a full system scan. Within several minutes, you will be able to customize your browser.
You can remove virus damage automatically with a help of one of these programs: Reimage, SpyHunterCombo Cleaner, Malwarebytes Malwarebytes. We recommend these applications because they detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
To remove Startwebsearch.com virus, follow these steps:
Remove Startwebsearch.com from Windows systems
In order to remove the hijacker manually, you have to uninstall suspicious programs from the computer. If you cannot find any unknown programs, you should check the list of extensions of each browser.
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Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
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If you are Windows 10 / Windows 8 user, then right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once Quick Access Menu shows up, select Control Panel and Uninstall a Program.
- Uninstall Startwebsearch.com and related programs
Here, look for Startwebsearch.com or any other recently installed suspicious programs. -
Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes.
- Remove Startwebsearch.com from Windows shortcuts
Right click on the shortcut of Mozilla Firefox and select Properties. -
Go to Shortcut tab and look at the Target field. Delete malicious URL that is related to your virus.
Repeat steps that are given above with all browsers' shortcuts, including Internet Explorer and Google Chrome. Make sure you check all locations of these shortcuts, including Desktop, Start Menu and taskbar.
WindowsMac OS XInternet ExplorerMicrosoft EdgeFirefoxGoogle ChromeSafariEliminate Startwebsearch.com from Mac OS X system
Uninstall suspicious Applications that might be responsible for bringing the hijacker to the computer by following these steps:
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If you are using OS X, click Go button at the top left of the screen and select Applications.
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Wait until you see Applications folder and look for Startwebsearch.com or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.
Erase Startwebsearch.com from Internet Explorer (IE)
Once you uninstall unknown add-ons and reset Internet Explorer, the hijacker will be removed.
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Remove dangerous add-ons
Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top right corner of the browser and choose Manage Add-ons. -
You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for Startwebsearch.com and other suspicious plugins. Disable these entries by clicking Disable:
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Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Click on the gear icon (menu) on the top right corner of the browser and select Internet Options. Stay in General tab. -
Here, remove malicious URL and enter preferable domain name. Click Apply to save changes.
-
Reset Internet Explorer
Click on the gear icon (menu) again and select Internet options. Go to Advanced tab. - Here, select Reset.
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When in the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset again to complete Startwebsearch.com removal.
Get rid of Startwebsearch.com virus from Microsoft Edge
After the hijack, you have to recover Microsoft Edge. Below you will find detailed instructions how to do it.
Reset Microsoft Edge settings (Method 1):
- Launch Microsoft Edge app and click More (three dots at the top right corner of the screen).
- Click Settings to open more options.
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Once Settings window shows up, click Choose what to clear button under Clear browsing data option.
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Here, select all what you want to remove and click Clear.
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Now you should right-click on the Start button (Windows logo). Here, select Task Manager.
- When in Processes tab, search for Microsoft Edge.
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Right-click on it and choose Go to details option. If can’t see Go to details option, click More details and repeat previous steps.
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When Details tab shows up, find every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right click on each of them and select End Task to end these entries.
Resetting Microsoft Edge browser (Method 2):
If Method 1 failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method.
- Note: you need to backup your data before using this method.
- Find this folder on your computer:
C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe. -
Select every entry which is saved on it and right click with your mouse. Then Delete option.
- Click the Start button (Windows logo) and type in window power in Search my stuff line.
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Right-click the Windows PowerShell entry and choose Run as administrator.
- Once Administrator: Windows PowerShell window shows up, paste this command line after PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> and press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml -Verbose}
Once these steps are finished, Startwebsearch.com should be removed from your Microsoft Edge browser.
WindowsMac OS XInternet ExplorerMicrosoft EdgeFirefoxGoogle ChromeSafariDelete Startwebsearch.com from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
So-called Startwebsearch.com virus may have installed various extensions to Mozilla Firefox. Thus, you have to uninstall them.
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Remove dangerous extensions
Open Mozilla Firefox, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Add-ons → Extensions. -
Here, select Startwebsearch.com and other questionable plugins. Click Remove to delete these entries.
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Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Click on the menu (top right corner), choose Options → General. - Here, delete malicious URL and enter preferable website or click Restore to default.
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Click OK to save these changes.
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Reset Mozilla Firefox
Click on the Firefox menu on the top left and click on the question mark. Here, choose Troubleshooting Information. -
Now you will see Reset Firefox to its default state message with Reset Firefox button. Click this button for several times and complete Startwebsearch.com removal.
Uninstall Startwebsearch.com from Google Chrome
To get back access to Google Chrome, you have to uninstall browser extensions related to Startwebsearch.com and reset the browser.
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Delete malicious plugins
Open Google Chrome, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Tools → Extensions. -
Here, select Startwebsearch.com and other malicious plugins and select trash icon to delete these entries.
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Change your homepage and default search engine if it was altered by your virus
Click on menu icon and choose Settings. -
Here, look for the Open a specific page or set of pages under On startup option and click on Set pages.
- Now you should see another window. Here, delete malicious search sites and enter the one that you want to use as your homepage.
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Click on menu icon again and choose Settings → Manage Search engines under the Search section.
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When in Search Engines..., remove malicious search sites. You should leave only Google or your preferred domain name.
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Reset Google Chrome
Click on menu icon on the top right of your Google Chrome and select Settings. -
Scroll down to the end of the page and click on Reset browser settings.
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Click Reset to confirm this action and complete Startwebsearch.com removal.
Remove Startwebsearch.com from Safari
Follow the steps below to clean Safari after the hijack:
- Remove dangerous extensions
Open Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu at the top left of the screen. Once you do this, select Preferences. -
Here, select Extensions and look for Startwebsearch.com or other suspicious entries. Click on the Uninstall button to get rid each of them.
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Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Open your Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu section. Here, select Preferences as it was displayed previously and select General. -
Here, look at the Homepage field. If it was altered by Startwebsearch.com, remove unwanted link and enter the one that you want to use for your searches. Remember to include the "http://" before typing in the address of the page.
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Reset Safari
Open Safari browser and click on Safari in menu section at the top left of the screen. Here, select Reset Safari.... -
Now you will see a detailed dialog window filled with reset options. All of those options are usually checked, but you can specify which of them you want to reset. Click the Reset button to complete Startwebsearch.com removal process.
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References
- ^ Browser hijacker. Webopedia. Online Tech Dictionary for IT Professionals.
- ^ Margaret Rouse. Sensitive information. TechTarget. Definitions By Topic and Technology News.
- ^ NoVirus. NoVirus. Latest security news and virus removal tutorials for British computer users.
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