SearchTechStart.com is the web domain for a browser hijacker redirect. When you make a search query, you get redirected to the search server of FindWide, which is another browser hijacker. Your searches will get filtered from it. SearchTechStart.com can switch the homepage, new tab and search engine of all browsers you have. To remove the hijacker and all of its files, you should read the article to the end.
Threat Summary
| Name | SearchTechStart.com |
| Type | Browser Hijacker, PUP |
| Short Description | Every browser on your computer can be affected. The hijacker redirects you and filters your searches. |
| Symptoms | Browser settings which are changed are the homepage, search engine and new tab. You might see sponsored content and advertisements when you are browsing. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundle Packages |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
Download
Malware Removal Tool
|
| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss SearchTechStart.com. |
SearchTechStart.com – Methods of Delivery
SearchTechStart.com has more than one delivery method. Its software can penetrate your PC’s security with third-party installations. Software that comes in a bundle with others or such that is freeware can deliver the hijacker to your computer system. Setups like those mainly have additional components set for installing, by default. This hijacker can modify browser settings before you notice. To avoid installations of that sort can be done with you finding a Custom or an Advanced options menu inside the setup.
SearchTechStart.com might use more methods to deliver its search engine to your browser programs. Redirecting links and advertisements are both ways for delivering the unwanted software, especially if opened from dubious websites of low reputation. Banners, pop-ups and more types of adverts could be used, too. This hijacker can deliver itself with the help from websites that are affiliated or partnered up with SearchTechStart.com. The following browsers can get affected: Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari and Mozilla Firefox.
SearchTechStart.com – Information
SearchTechStart.com is the primary domain for a browser hijacker redirect that has the same name – SearchTechStart. You can view the homepage of the hijacker in the picture shown down here:
The SearchTechStart.com main web page is very simple, consisting of a plain white background, a search bar, logo with a magnifying glass above it and a few links to the “Privacy Policy” and “Terms and Conditions” sections of the website. That exact page will be in that place of your new tab page, home page and search engine for nearly all browsers you have on the affected computer. The hijacker can tamper with the preferences of your browsers, as well.
An extension which is tied to the hijacker might exist, plus more components residing on your computer machine that can spread redirects and advertisements. They could have the same browser hijacking capabilities or land you on suspicious websites or ones filled with sponsored third party content. The owners of such websites might be partnered up or affiliated with SearchTechStart.com.
In the image provided below this paragraph, you can see the search results of SearchTechStart.com. You will be redirected to the search results of Yahoo. Before ending up on that page, however, you will go through the servers of FindWide, which is another browser hijacker. This strategy of landing on a legitimate search engine’s result page is used by many hijackers, trying to get people’s trust.
SearchTechStart.com can gather all types of information from you and your browsing habits, including the searches that you do. Servers of this hijacker and those of FindWide collect information mainly through those servers. You can read in depth about the Find Wide hijacker from the article on our blog.
You can see the redirect from the below snapshot:
The search engine will get each bit of information that you input in your search queries. You should be wary in what you put as personal data in searches if you use the hijacker’s search engine. Do not provide any credentials, banking details, personally identifying data or anything of the sort. Continue to read and see what the privacy policy of FindWide and SearchTechStart.com state.
SearchTechStart.com – Privacy Policy
The Privacy Policy of the SearchTechStart.com site is not written but an image. You cannot search for text, copy anything or find things you search for easy. As search queries go via the Find Wide hijacker as well, that policy is also active. The SearchTechStart.com site obtains personally and non-personally identifying information. That information can be shared with third-party partners.
You can view the Privacy Policy from here:
The SearchTechstart.com website gathers the following information:
- IP address
- Unique identifier number
- Hardware and Software configuration
- Operating System
- Browser type
- Your connected devices
- Applications you use
- Browsing activity and internet use
- Capability and performance
- Usage patterns
- Demographics
- Physical location
- Interaction with displayed content such as ads, what you added to shopping carts
- Search quires entered
- Websites visited and pages viewed
If you use any services connected to SearchTechStart.com or FindWide.com, including applications associated with them, then by the Policy’s statement you are bound to give your consent for personal data collection. The policy states that the site uses cookies, Web and DOM storage data, Adobe Flash cookies, pixel tags, beacons, JavaScript and other tracking and data collection technologies.
Here is an important quote from the policy:
“This data is used, supplemented, sold, and shared with other parties for business purposes”
The FindWide.com website gathers the following information:
- Your e-mail address
- Your name
- Technical information (not specified)
All of that data can be used interchangeably between the two websites, so beware of what your interactions are with both of them and refrain from providing any personal or banking information.
Remove SearchTechStart.com Fully
To remove SearchTechStart.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 and all of its files completely, you should search for and remove any leftovers with an advanced anti-malware tool. Such software can keep your computer secure in the future.
- Windows
- Mac OS X
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Microsoft Edge
- Safari
- Internet Explorer
- Stop Push Pop-ups
How to Remove SearchTechStart.com from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for SearchTechStart.com with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall SearchTechStart.com and related software from Windows
Uninstall Steps for Windows 11
Uninstall Steps for Windows 10 and Older Versions
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:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 4: Clean Any registries, Created by SearchTechStart.com on Your PC.
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 SearchTechStart.com there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
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.
Video Removal Guide for SearchTechStart.com (Windows).
Get rid of SearchTechStart.com from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall SearchTechStart.com and remove related files and objects
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 SearchTechStart.com. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
- 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 SearchTechStart.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:
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 SearchTechStart.com files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as SearchTechStart.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.
Video Removal Guide for SearchTechStart.com (Mac)
Remove SearchTechStart.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.
Erase SearchTechStart.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.
Uninstall SearchTechStart.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.
Remove SearchTechStart.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 SearchTechStart.com will be removed.
Eliminate SearchTechStart.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.
Remove Push Notifications from Your Browsers
Turn Off Push Notifications from Google Chrome
To disable any Push Notices from Google Chrome browser, please follow the steps below:
Step 1: Go to Settings in Chrome.
Step 2: In Settings, select “Advanced Settings”:
Step 3: Click “Content Settings”:
Step 4: Open “Notifications”:
Step 5: Click the three dots and choose Block, Edit or Remove options:
Remove Push Notifications on Firefox
Step 1: Go to Firefox Options.
Step 2: Go to “Settings”, type “notifications” in the search bar and click "Settings":
Step 3: Click “Remove” on any site you wish notifications gone and click “Save Changes”
Stop Push Notifications on Opera
Step 1: In Opera, press ALT+P to go to Settings.
Step 2: In Setting search, type “Content” to go to Content Settings.
Step 3: Open Notifications:
Step 4: Do the same as you did with Google Chrome (explained below):
Eliminate Push Notifications on Safari
Step 1: Open Safari Preferences.
Step 2: Choose the domain from where you like push pop-ups gone and change to "Deny" from "Allow".
SearchTechStart.com-FAQ
What Is SearchTechStart.com?
The SearchTechStart.com threat is adware or browser redirect virus.
It may slow your computer down significantly and display advertisements. The main idea is for your information to likely get stolen or more ads to appear on your device.
The creators of such unwanted apps work with pay-per-click schemes to get your computer to visit risky or different types of websites that may generate them funds. This is why they do not even care what types of websites show up on the ads. This makes their unwanted software indirectly risky for your OS.
What Are the Symptoms of SearchTechStart.com?
There are several symptoms to look for when this particular threat and also unwanted apps in general are active:
Symptom #1: Your computer may become slow and have poor performance in general.
Symptom #2: You have toolbars, add-ons or extensions on your web browsers that you don't remember adding.
Symptom #3: You see all types of ads, like ad-supported search results, pop-ups and redirects to randomly appear.
Symptom #4: You see installed apps on your Mac running automatically and you do not remember installing them.
Symptom #5: You see suspicious processes running in your Task Manager.
If you see one or more of those symptoms, then security experts recommend that you check your computer for viruses.
What Types of Unwanted Programs Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the threats that can currently affect your device can be rogue antivirus software, adware, browser hijackers, clickers, fake optimizers and any forms of PUPs.
What to Do If I Have a "virus" like SearchTechStart.com?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your email passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activities with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these recommendations, your network and all devices will become significantly more secure against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
How Does SearchTechStart.com Work?
Once installed, SearchTechStart.com can collect data using trackers. This data is about your web browsing habits, such as the websites you visit and the search terms you use. It is then used to target you with ads or to sell your information to third parties.
SearchTechStart.com can also download other malicious software onto your computer, such as viruses and spyware, which can be used to steal your personal information and show risky ads, that may redirect to virus sites or scams.
Is SearchTechStart.com Malware?
The truth is that PUPs (adware, browser hijackers) are not viruses, but may be just as dangerous since they may show you and redirect you to malware websites and scam pages.
Many security experts classify potentially unwanted programs as malware. This is because of the unwanted effects that PUPs can cause, such as displaying intrusive ads and collecting user data without the user’s knowledge or consent.
About the SearchTechStart.com Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this SearchTechStart.com how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific, adware-related problem, and restore your browser and computer system.
How did we conduct the research on SearchTechStart.com?
Please note that our research is based on independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware, adware, and browser hijacker definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the SearchTechStart.com threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.