Remove 12startpage.com Redirect

by Berta Bilbao | December 20, 2017 | 0 Comments browser hijacker, redirect

Threat Summary 12startpage.com – Distribution Techniques 12startpage.com – Technical Insight 12startpage.com – Privacy Policy Remove 12startpage.com Redirect

This article will help you to remove 12startpage.com in full. Follow the browser hijacker removal instructions given at the end of the article.

12startpage.com is a browser hijacker redirect. The website will redirect you and push advertisements on pages. While using its services, you can find yourself on both popular search engines and unfamiliar pages with lots of pop-ups and sponsored content that go through this hijacker. The hijacker will change the start page, new tab, and search settings for the browser applications you have on your computer system.

Threat Summary

Name	12startpage.com
Type	Browser Hijacker, PUP
Short Description	Each browser application on your computer could get affected. The hijacker can redirect you and will display lots of advertisements.
Symptoms	Browser settings which are altered are the homepage, search engine and the new tab.
Distribution Method	Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join Our Forum to Discuss 12startpage.com.

12startpage.com – Distribution Techniques

12startpage.com might be distributed through various techniques. One of those techniques is via third-party installations. Those installer setups come from bundled applications and freeware that could be set to install additional content by default on your computer system. Usually, that could happen without any notification. You might have tried installing a media player or free software and got your browser settings modified by the hijacker. To avoid unwanted programs from affecting your PC is doable if you find Custom or Advanced settings. There you should be able to deselect what you don’t want.
12startpage.com could be distributed via other methods, like add-ons or browser extensions which install on your browser. Other distribution ways use advertisements, such as banners, pop-ups, pop-unders, and redirect links. Sponsored advertisements, including targeted content on suspicious websites could distribute the hijacker, too. These websites might also be partners or affiliates of the 12startpage.com website and services. These browsers could be affected: Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer and Safari.

12startpage.com – Technical Insight

12startpage.com is the search URL address of a browser hijacker redirect. At first glance it seems okay, but many users have reported it being installed on their machines without their permission. You will get redirected when you are using its services, from links, ads and pages that may load from the search results. The main domain page can be viewed from the screenshot given below:

The page displaced above can replace the homepage, new tab and default search of every browser that you have installed. 12startpage.com browser hijacker will redirect you if you use its services and interact with links, ads and other content from its search pages.

Take note that each search that you do on its pages will be sending information to servers connected to the Trovi.com hijacker. Below you can see how you are redirected to Trovi, every time you make a search query:

The photo that you see under this paragraph shows a clear example of what the results of a search query look like when they go through the 12startpage.com and Trovi.com. Here the search results that you end up on are from Bing, but other popular search engines could be used. Every query in the search will get filtered and sent to servers connected to that of the hijacker and Trovi. Thus, everything that you give out as information will be gathered by the browser hijacker and its partners in question.

The 12startpage.com website can push advertisements and heaps of redirects that can put browser cookies on your computer system, and they can track your online activity. Other, more advanced tracking technologies could have been used, especially from Trovi. Be wary of the information you provide on such search pages, especially on ones, associated with 12startpage.com and Trovi.com. Refrain from clicking on suspicious advertisements and links that can show up.

12startpage.com – Privacy Policy

The Privacy Policy page of the 12startpage.com site is accessible from a hyperlink, located at a sub-menu on the bottom left of its main page. The Policy provides some information about the data collection done by this browser hijacker. Below, you can see that information which is to be gathered from you when you are using the 12startpage.com service.

You can see the Policy page from the screenshot right here:

The following information can be collected by the hijacker:

the IP address of the requesting terminal device
the date and time of access
the name and URL of the file called up
the website from which the file is accessed
the operating system of your terminal device
the browser you are using
the name of your internet access provider
the date and time of the installation of your OCS-Product
the version no. of your OCS-Product
the name and URL of the file called up
gen. geo-marketing data (city, country-id)
your search keyword
the date and time of your search query
any unique identifiers from any cookies used by Microsoft or Yahoo or others
the the search- and browser settings of your browser
your browser’s language-settings and type of browser

There is also data collected by Trovi, according to the policy of Trovi.com which can be divided into a few information types:

Technical Information

Your browser type
Type, name and version of Operating System
Type, name and version of other software
Your ISP (Internet Service Provider)
Your physical location
Your Internet protocol (IP) address
Anonymous user identifiers
Device configuration and identifiers
The version, configuration and settings of their Software

Usage Information

Your use and interaction with your device
When and how you use their software
How you use your internet browser and internet search related applications
The web pages you visit and the content you see
Your interactions with offerings and advertisements that you view
Your search queries
The time and date of your searches

Social Networks Information

Your interactions on social networks via their software
Friends or contact lists
Notes
Updates
Photos

Registration Related Information

Information you provide when you register for their software
Your name
Home or work addresses
Your E-mail address
Telephone and fax numbers
Your birth date
Your gender

Support Related Information

Your email address
Your name
Any information voluntarily submitted by you

Information that may be collected by the site “unintentionally”

Social security numbers
Credit card numbers
Login information

Cookies connected to the browser hijacking site and services of 12startpage.com are also dropped by them to acquire more information related to your internet activity and habits. The 12startpage.com service could collect even more data with which you could be identified.

In conclusion, you should be wary of what information you give out to search engines and websites. In case you do not like the idea of any information to be acquired about you by this browser hijacker or its services, you should consider removing it.

Remove 12startpage.com Redirect

To remove 12startpage.com manually from your computer, follow the step-by-step removal instructions provided below. In case the manual removal does not get rid of the hijacker redirect and its files completely, you should search for and remove any leftovers with an advanced anti-malware tool. Such a program can keep your computer safe in the future.

Berta Bilbao

Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.

Guide 1: How to Remove 12startpage.com from Windows.
Guide 2: Get rid of 12startpage.com on Mac OS X.
Guide 3: Remove 12startpage.com in Google Chrome.

Guide 4: Erase 12startpage.com from Mozilla Firefox.
Guide 5: Uninstall 12startpage.com from Microsoft Edge.
Guide 6: Remove 12startpage.com from Safari.
Guide 7: Eliminate 12startpage.com from Internet Explorer.
Guide 8: Disable 12startpage.com Push Notifications in Your Browsers.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

How to Remove 12startpage.com from Windows.

Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove 12startpage.com

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter's malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria

1. Hold Windows key() + R

2. The "Run" Window will appear. In it, type "msconfig" and click OK.

3. Go to the "Boot" tab. There select "Safe Boot" and then click "Apply" and "OK".

Tip: Make sure to reverse those changes by unticking Safe Boot after that, because your system will always boot in Safe Boot from now on.

4. When prompted, click on "Restart" to go into Safe Mode.

5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen.

Step 2: Uninstall 12startpage.com and related software from Windows

Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:

1. Hold the Windows Logo Button and "R" on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear.

2. In the field type in "appwiz.cpl" and press ENTER.

3. This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press "Uninstall"

Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.

Step 3: Clean any registries, created by 12startpage.com on your computer.

The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by 12startpage.com there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:

1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.

2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.

3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.

Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.

IMPORTANT!
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.

Step 4: Scan for 12startpage.com with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.

2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.

3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.

4. After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the 'Next' button.

If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Get rid of 12startpage.com from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall 12startpage.com and remove related files and objects

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your Mac with SpyHunter for Mac

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter for Mac needs to purchased to remove the malware threats. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy

1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:

2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:

3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to 12startpage.com:

Tip: To quit a process completely, choose the “Force Quit” option.

4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.

5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to 12startpage.com. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.

6: Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to 12startpage.com. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.

7: Remove any left-over files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:

Go to Finder.
In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.

In case you cannot remove 12startpage.com via Step 1 above:

In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:

Disclaimer! If you are about to tamper with Library files on Mac, be sure to know the name of the virus file, because if you delete the wrong file, it may cause irreversible damage to your MacOS. Continue on your own responsibility!

1: Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:

2: Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:

3: Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as 12startpage.com. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.

You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:

→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons

Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.

Step 2: Scan for and remove 12startpage.com files from your Mac

When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as 12startpage.com, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.

Click the button below below to download SpyHunter for Mac and scan for 12startpage.com:

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove 12startpage.com from Google Chrome.

Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu

Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"

Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.

Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Erase 12startpage.com from Mozilla Firefox.

Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window

Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.

Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"

Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Uninstall 12startpage.com from Microsoft Edge.

Step 1: Start Edge browser.

Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.

Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".

Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.

Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove 12startpage.com from Safari.

Step 1: Start the Safari app.

Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.

Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".

Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.

Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.

Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.

A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the 12startpage.com will be removed.

How to Reset Safari
IMPORTANT: Before resetting Safari make sure you back up all your saved passwords within the browser in case you forget them.

Start Safari and then click on the gear leaver icon.

Click the Reset Safari button and you will reset the browser.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Eliminate 12startpage.com from Internet Explorer.

Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.

Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'

Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.

Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.

Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.