The Startwebsearch search hijacker is an example of a typical unwanted program; such applications are promoted enormously nowadays. On this page you will see the precise guidelines of “Startwebsearch” hijacker removal in various methods: making use of anti-malware tools and hand-operated removal technique.
Startwebsearch – What is it?
“Startwebsearch” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)1, that is distributed as a plugin for your web browser. It is usually promoted as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that aids to search some certain information, for instance, about sport events, make your web browser much more safe, enable downloading of any type of video, et cetera. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).
Nonetheless, the “Startwebsearch” plugin is pretty pointless due to the fact that all such features are currently integrated to your browser and/or system. Such marketing mottos are targeted at low-skilled computer users, for example, pensioners or schoolchildren. But occasionally even experienced users are getting caught on such an appeal. In particular cases, this hijacker is dispersed along with free tools.
Startwebsearch Search Hijacker
Here is a info for the Startwebsearch hijacker
| NAME | Startwebsearch |
| Site | Startwebsearch.com |
| Hosting | AS13335 Cloudflare, Inc. United States, San Francisco |
| Infection Type | Browser Hijacker, Unwanted Application |
| IP Address | 104.16.64.86 |
| Symptoms | Changed search engine; search queries redirection |
| Similar behavior | Search, Zread, Direct |
| Fix Tool | To remove possible virus infections, try to scan your PC |
How harmful is Startwebsearch hijacker?
Besides its impracticality, Startwebsearch hijacker is likewise fairly hazardous for web browser utilization. It modifies your search engine to its particular – Startwebsearch.com, and also modifies your background, putting its watermark on your background image (or, occasionally, changing it to default with the specified sign).
Besides viewable changes done by Startwebsearch hijacker, you can observe that several of your search questions are redirecting to the uncertain sites, full of web links and promotions – so-called doorway sites. Such websites can consist of web links for malware downloads. The possibility of redirecting surges if you try to open Google search page by force.
However all these activities are much more irritating than truly dangerous. The biggest danger, particularly for individuals who have a considerable amount of confidential information in their internet browsers, is installed in data collecting functionalities. Cookie files, chats, often-visited websites, as well as other activities are simply collected by Startwebsearch hijacker.
How to remove Startwebsearch 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 almost always rather easy to deal with. Usually, they have a separate application that can be located in the list of installed apps. Because of the particular distribution method of Startwebsearch hijacker, it can be conveniently tracked and erased by hand. Nevertheless, if you got Startwebsearch in the package with a free program, your personal computer may be contaminated with a lot more serious malware – trojans, spyware and even ransomware. That’s why I’d suggest you use anti-malware tools to remove the Startwebsearch PUA and all other malware.
You can utilize Microsoft Defender2 – it is capable of discovering and removing various malware, including named hijacker. However, serious malware, that might be present on your computer in the specified case, can disable the Windows antivirus program by editing the Group Policies. To stay clear of such situations, it is far better to use GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
To detect and remove all unwanted applications on your computer with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, it’s better to use Standard or Full scan. Quick Scan is not able to find all the malware, because it scans only the most popular registry entries and folders.
You can spectate the detected malicious programs sorted by their possible harm during the scan process. But to perform any actions against the viruses, you need to wait until the scan is over, or to stop the scan.
To choose the action for every spotted malicious or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected malware. By default, all malware will be moved to quarantine.
Reverting browser settings to original ones
To reset your browser settings, you are required to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action is not able to be counteracted by any malware, hence, you will surely see the result. This option can be found in the Tools tab.
After choosing the Reset Browser Settings option, the menu will be displayed, where you can specify, which settings will be reverted to the original.
Deleteing Startwebsearch 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 :
- Open “Settings and more” tab in upper right corner, then find here “Settings” button. In the appeared menu, choose “Reset settings” option :
- 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 :
- Open Menu tab (three strips in upper right corner) and click the “Help” button. In the appeared menu choose “troubleshooting information” :
- In the next screen, find the “Refresh Firefox” option :
After choosing this option, you will see the next message :
If you use Google Chrome
- Open Settings tab, find the “Advanced” button. In the extended tab choose the “Reset and clean up” button :
- In the appeared list, click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” :
- 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
- 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 :
- 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.
I need your help to share this guide.
Browser hijackers are among the largest and also disruptive kinds of malware. I published this article to help you, so I wish you will help me to make the computer world completely clean of malware. Please, share this article in the social networks you use – Twitter, Reddit, Facebook – wherever.
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Wilbur WoodhamHow to Remove Startwebsearch?
Name: Startwebsearch
Description: Startwebsearch - 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 Startwebsearch?”. In this article we will show you how to deal with Startwebsearch (Startwebsearch.com), 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
User Review
( votes)References
- More information about PUAs
- Detailed review of Microsoft Defender
