StartBrowser browser hijacker removal instructions

The StartBrowser search hijacker is an illustration of a common unwanted program; such programs are spread massively these days. On this page you will see the detailed guidelines of “StartBrowser” hijacker elimination in several methods: using anti-malware software and also hand-operated removal procedure.

It is better to prevent, than repair and repent!

Removing StartBrowser manually may take hours and may damage your PC in the process. I recommend you to download GridinSoft Anti-Malware for threats removal. Allows to complete scan and cure your PC during the trial period.

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StartBrowser – What is it?

“StartBrowser” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is spread as a plugin for your web browser. It is typically marketed as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that assists to browse some special info, as an example, about sporting activity events, make your browser far more safe, allow downloading of any video clip, et cetera. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).

However, the “StartBrowser” plugin is quite pointless since all such features are already built-in to your web browser and/or system. Such advertising slogans are targeted at low-skilled computer users, for example, pensioners or schoolchildren. However frequently even expert users are getting caught on such a lure. In specific cases, this hijacker is distributed along with free software.

StartBrowser Search Hijacker

Here is a short info for the StartBrowser hijacker

How harmful is StartBrowser hijacker?

Besides its uselessness, StartBrowser hijacker is also rather harmful for web browser utilization. It modifies your search engine to its specific – Startbrowser.co, and also changes your background, putting its watermark on your background image (or, occasionally, changing it to default with the specified sign).

In addition to visual modifications done by StartBrowser hijacker, you can notice that a couple of your search inquiries are redirecting to the uncertain sites, filled with links and advertisements – so-called doorway websites. Such sites can contain links for malware downloads. The possibility of redirecting rises if you try to start Google search page by force.

But all these actions are more bothersome than truly hazardous. The greatest hazard, primarily for people who have a huge amount of confidential information in their web browsers, is embedded in data gathering functions. Cookie files, chats, often-visited websites, as well as other activities are easily collected by StartBrowser hijacker.

How to remove StartBrowser search hijacker?

• Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
• Open GridinSoft Anti-Malware and perform a “Standard scan“.
• “Move to quarantine” all items.
• Open “Tools” tab – Press “Reset Browser Settings“.
• Select proper browser and options – Click “Reset”.
• Restart your computer.

Browser hijackers are often very very easy to delete. Usually, they have a separate app that can be seen in the list of installed programs. Because of the certain distribution tactic of StartBrowser hijacker, it can be conveniently tracked and deleted by hand. Nevertheless, if you got StartBrowser in the package with a free applications, your computer can be contaminated with far more major malware – trojans, spyware and even ransomware. That’s why I’d recommend you use anti-malware programs to remove the StartBrowser PUA and all various other malware.

You can make use of Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of finding and clearing away various malware, including mentioned hijacker. However, severe malware, that may exist on your personal computer in the discussed case, can disable the Windows antimalware program by editing the Group Policies. To avoid such situations, it is far better to use GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

To detect and eliminate all unwanted programs on your personal computer with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, it’s better to use Standard or Full scan. Quick Scan is not able to find all the viruses, because it scans only the most popular registry entries and directories.

You can see the detected malicious apps sorted by their possible hazard during the scan process. But to choose any actions against the viruses, you need to wait until the scan is finished, or to stop the scan.

To choose the action for each detected virus or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected malware. By default, all the viruses will be moved to quarantine.

Reset browser settings to original ones

To revert your browser settings, you need to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action cannot be intercepted by any malware, hence, you will surely see the result. This option can be found in the Tools tab.

After pressing the Reset Browser Settings option, the menu will be shown, where you can specify, which settings will be reverted to the original.

Deleteing StartBrowser hijacker manually

Besides using anti-malware software for browser restoration, you may choose the “Reset browser settings” function, which is usually embedded in all popular browsers.

To reset Edge, do the following steps :

1. Open “Settings and more” tab in upper right corner, then find here “Settings” button. In the appeared menu, choose “Reset settings” option :



2. After picking the Reset Settings option, you will see the following menu, stating about the settings which will be reverted to original :

For Mozilla Firefox, do the next actions :

1. Open Menu tab (three strips in upper right corner) and click the “Help” button. In the appeared menu choose “troubleshooting information” :



2. In the next screen, find the “Refresh Firefox” option :


After choosing this option, you will see the next message :

If you use Google Chrome

1. Open Settings tab, find the “Advanced” button. In the extended tab choose the “Reset and clean up” button :



2. In the appeared list, click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” :



3. Finally, you will see the window, where you can see all the settings which will be reset to default :
   

Opera can be reset in the next way

1. Open Settings menu by pressing the gear icon in the toolbar (left side of the browser window), then click “Advanced” option, and choose “Browser” button in the drop-down list. Scroll down, to the bottom of the settings menu. Find there “Restore settings to their original defaults” option :



2. After clicking the “Restore settings…” button, you will see the window, where all settings, which will be reset, are shown :

As an afterword, I want to say that time plays against you and your PC. The activity of browser hijacker must be stopped as soon as possible, because of the possibility of other malware injection. This malware can be downloaded autonomously, or offered for you to download in one of the windows with advertisements, which are shown to you by the hijacker. You need to act as fast as you can.

How to Remove StartBrowser?

Name: StartBrowser

Description: StartBrowser - a lot of users became a victim of browser hijacker. I have a lot of friends who literally bombed me with the questions like “how to remove StartBrowser?”. In this article we will show you how to deal with StartBrowser (Startbrowser.co), which may corrupt your browser’s correct performance, and create a lot of troubles while you are working.

Operating System: Windows

Application Category: Browser Hijacker

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