The site Startsear.info seems to pop up sometimes when I click on certain links. Why does this happen? Is it a virus? How do I remove it from my computer?
Startsear.info is one of the serious browser hijacker viruses that starts continuously rerouting Google, Yahoo and Bing search engines to its domain where undesirable ads are displayed. And it even prevents you from changing it back to the website you really want. Computer users may get this virus installed by clicking malicious code or distribute unsafe advertising pop-ups, visiting pornographic website or downloading attachment from spam emails. And it can hijack browsers including Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome etc.
Once infiltrating into the computer system, Startsear.info virus will change your default homepage and prevent you from changing back to your favorite. When you are searching for something on Google, Bing or any other major search engine, you will be redirected to some unwanted suspicious websites full of dubious advertisements so that the hackers can earn money from the pay-per-click technique. Some of those weird websites may contain dangerous Trojans and spyware. The virus is able to attack all kinds of browsers including Firefox, Chrome and Internet Explorer. It also slows down your computer and damages your system by corrupting the Windows Registry and other important windows system files. Besides, the virus facilitates the hacker to steal your individual privacy and install more threats into your computer.
1. Annoying pop-up alerts and advertisements always come up while a user is browsing online;
2. Other spywares and viruses will be installed without your permission under the help of Trojans;
3. Personal privacy is in high risk of loss as Startsear.info can create a fake website for you to register and enter important information and passwords;
4. Significant files will be relocated or hidden which may pose a sudden death of computer;
Considering this malware can’t be fixed by any security tools, uses can use the manual guide below to fix this issue without any risk.
1. Clear all the cookies of your affected browsers.
Since tricky hijacker virus has the ability to use cookies for tracing and tracking the internet activity of users, it is suggested users to delete all the cookies before a complete removal.
Google Chrome:
Click on the “Tools” menu and select “Options”.
Click the “Under the Bonnet” tab, locate the “Privacy” section and click the “Clear browsing data” button.
Select “Delete cookies and other site data” to delete all cookies from the list.
Internet Explorer:
Open Internet explorer window
Click the “Tools” button
Point to “safety” and then click “delete browsing history”
Tick the “cookies” box, then click “delete”
Mozilla Firefox:
Click on Tools, then Options, select Privacy
Click “Remove individual cookies”
In the Cookies panel, click on “Show Cookies”
To remove a single cookie click on the entry in the list and click on the “Remove Cookie button”
To remove all cookies click on the “Remove All Cookies button”
2. Remove all add-ons and extensions
Google Chrome: Wrench Icon > Tools > Extensions
Mozilla Firefox: Tools > Add-ons (Ctrl+Shift+A)
Internet Explorer: Tools > Manage Add-ons
3. Show hidden files and folders.
Open Folder Options by clicking the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking Appearance and Personalization, and then clicking Folder Options.
Click the View tab.
Under Advanced settings, click Show hidden files and folders, uncheck Hide protected operating system files (Recommended) and then click OK.
4. Remove all the malicious files manually.
%AppData%\Local\[random].exe
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce\
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionInternet Settings “ProxyEnable” = “1”
In one word, Startsear.info is a dangerous and notorious redirect virus which is designed by nasty cyber criminals to earn money. It disguises as a legitimate website to earn your trust. When it gets into your computer system, it will redirect you to some malicious websites without your allowance. The cyber criminals can intrude your computer to steal your privacy for illegal use via the virus. Furthermore, it can disable your antivirus leaving your computer in a high-risk condition. Therefore, we strongly recommend you to remove it as soon as possible to avoid more damages and losses.
If you don’t know how to do it, please contact experts from YooCare Online Tech Support for further help.
Published by on January 5, 2013 11:10 pm, last updated on June 5, 2013 2:50 pm
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