What Is Star Field?
Star Field is classified as a pop-up that’s connected to an advertising-supported program, more commonly known as a browser hijacker. This program triggers unwanted pop-up ads on internet browsers, often infiltrating systems without user knowledge or consent, thus causing an interruption in the web browsing experience.
This article will guide you to understand this potentially unwelcome program (PUP) and provide steps to effectively eradicate it from your computer and web browsers.
Star Field Details
| Name | Star Field |
| Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA) |
| Short Description | A suspicious browser extension that takes control of your web browsers. |
| Symptoms | Unexpected pop-ups may appear while browsing the internet. The browser hijacker may be downloaded without the user’s knowledge. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages |
| Detection Tool |
Check If Your Mac Has Been Affected by Star Field
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Malware Removal Tool
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How Did I Get Infected by Star Field?
The dissemination of the Star Field pop-up ads virus happens via several routes including harmful websites, email attachments, spyware, and various downloads. Additionally, it could spread through malicious ads or other platforms hosting harmful content. To maintain your computer’s safety, it’s crucial to update it regularly with the latest security patches and keep a reliable antivirus software installed.
What Does Star Field Do?
The Star Field pop-up ads virus operates as a damaging program that penetrates computer systems and displays intrusive banner and pop-up ads within a user’s web browser. It can also forcibly redirect users to undesirable web pages, significantly impacting computer performance.
The types of ads presented by this program include:
- Browser redirections.
- Banner advertisements.
- Push notification ads.
- Pop-up advertisements.
- Highlighted text ads.
- Replacement of search results with ads.
Moreover, this application might employ various tools such as pixels and trackers to gather data about your online activity, which includes:
- IP and MAC addresses.
- Bookmarked websites.
- Web browsing history.
- Mouse movements.
- Files downloaded.
- Internet search queries.
- Online clicking patterns.
- Various personally identifiable information you might input.
Is Star Field a Computer Virus?
Although Star Field induces browser redirection, it’s not officially considered a computer virus. It functions as an ad platform that forwards browser requests to its partnered websites. However, it might lead to unwanted browser redirections and pop-up ads.
Is It Dangerous?
Indeed, this application poses a threat because it can guide you to a range of dangerous websites via the ads it displays. Since it doesn’t control the content of these ads, there’s a risk of unintentionally landing on insecure websites. Some of these ads could lead you to the following types of online sites:
- Fraudulent websites.
- Fake survey sites.
- Phishing websites.
- URLs laden with viruses.
- Multifaceted redirection schemes or redirect loops.
- Suspicious software download offers.
- Misleading tech support scams.
How to Protect My Computer from Star Field Adware?
To strengthen your defense against such applications in the future, we suggest following these guidelines:
- Avoid downloading applications from online ads, pop-ups, torrent trackers, file sharing sites, and other dubious sources.
- During software installation, deselect hidden options found in the “Custom” or “Advanced” sections. This can help you refuse most potentially unwanted programs (PUPs).
- Avoid installing unnecessary applications.
- Be cautious about extensive or unusual online advertising, as these ads could indicate the presence of PUPs and adware connected to your browser.
- When installing any software, always review the terms and conditions of use thoroughly.
- Regularly check your installed software and remove any applications that are not desired or needed.
- Install a robust anti-malware tool that can detect and eliminate potentially unwanted programs.
How to Remove Star Field from Your Computer?
To rid this harmful software from your computer, we recommend following the steps provided to completely uninstall it from your device and web browsers. For the most comprehensive removal method, consider using a professional anti-malware tool that can automatically examine your device, detect any malicious software, and secure your system.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
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How to Remove Star Field from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for Star Field with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall Star Field 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 Star Field 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 Star Field 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 Star Field (Windows).
Get rid of Star Field from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Star Field 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 Star Field. 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 Star Field 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 Star Field files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Star Field, 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 Star Field (Mac)
Remove Star Field 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 Star Field 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 Star Field 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 Star Field 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 Star Field will be removed.
Eliminate Star Field 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".
Star Field-FAQ
What Is Star Field?
The Star Field 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 Star Field?
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 Star Field?
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 Star Field Work?
Once installed, Star Field 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.
Star Field 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 Star Field 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 Star Field Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Star Field 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 Star Field?
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 Star Field threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.