Start.prss.to is a webpage which serves as a browser redirect. You may be redirected to it from the Web, or you might have your browsers hijacked. Settings which the hijacker can change include the search engine, new tab setting and start page of all your browser applications. Searches done from the site’s default search will redirect you. You can see advertisements and sponsored content on the main page of the website.
To remove the hijacker and redirect you should read the article to the end.
Threat Summary
| Name | Start.prss.to |
| Type | Browser Hijacker, PUP |
| Short Description | Browser software on your computer system may be affected. The hijacker redirects you and can show you advertisements and sponsored content. |
| Symptoms | The homepage, the search engine and the new tab will be switched. A browser extension is not excluded to be added as well. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages |
| Detection Tool |
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Start.prss.to. |
Start.prss.to – Delivery Methods
Start.prss.to can be delivered using different methods. One of them is through third-party install setups of bundled programs and freeware. Such installers can be set by default to put additional components onto your computer, which may not be disclosed. Without knowing that, the hijacker could have tampered with several settings. Preventing these types of installations from happening is possible. You simply have to find Custom or Advanced options to deselect unwanted components.
A similar delivery method could involve a browser extension, plug-in or an add-on, which is to be placed inside your browser applications. Another way of delivery could utilize advertisements, such as banners or pop-ups. The hijacker could be delivered with redirect links generated on other websites. These websites could be partnered with Start.prss.to. The following browsers could be affected: Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari and Mozilla Firefox.
Start.prss.to – Description
Prss.to is the primary domain for a search engine. That search engine is not reputable and will set the Start.prss.to page as your homepage, new tab setting and default search. From the screenshot shown below you can view the main page:
The Start.prss.to page is composed of a blank background, a search bar and content on the bottom of the page. That content is sponsored and can include various advertisements. The links to the Privacy Policy and End User License Agreement of the service are hidden in a drop down menu at the top right of the page. The same page will replace the default search engine, homepage, and new tab setting of browsers found on your computer device.
In the picture shown below this paragraph, you can see the results of a search conducted on the Start.prss.to website. As many other browser hijacker programs, you will get redirected to the search results page of a legitimate search engine. As seen in the picture, here you are redirected to the US version of Yahoo. You could see targeted advertisements popping up because of the application that hijacked your browsers. Your search queries get filtered by this hijacker. All information going through will be gathered and sent to servers owned by the website creators.
Pay more attention to what kind of information you type and where you type it. There might be in-text links and additional redirects generated while you browse. Some information that is obtained by the site can be gathered with the help of cookies and other tracking technologies, as well. Refrain from providing any information which can personally identify you. Continue to read and find out what information the site Start.prss.to collects from you.
Start.prss.to – Privacy Policy
The Privacy Policy of the Start.prss.to is present on the site and is quite descriptive. If you read it, you will find out about how the services of the site may intrude your privacy. According to this policy, personal, anonymous and other types of information can be acquired.
The site owners may collect the following types of information:
Personal Information:
- Your name
- Your address
- Telephone number
- Email address
- Information you provided in public forums
- Information you provided in social networks
- Information you provided the site owners
- Your device identifier
- Your device IP address
Anonymous Information:
- The number of page views
- Link clicks
- Login times
Automatically Captured Information:
- Your IP address
- Your browser type
- Your language
Information obtained by Cookies:
- Your online activity in the Site
- The pages you visit
- The links you click
- Actions you take within the Site
All information collected from you may be sent to business partners of the Start.prss.to site. Read more in the quote below:
We may allow third-parties, including our authorized service providers, parent and subsidiary companies, affiliates, advertising companies, and ad networks, to display advertisements or place ad tags or beacons on or via our Site. These companies may use tracking technologies, such as cookies, to collect information about users who view or interact with their advertisements.
The Policy of Start.prss.to also states that cookies, Web beacons and other similar technologies might be used for tracking.
Remove Start.prss.to Fully from Your PC
To remove Start.prss.to 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 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.
- Windows
- Mac OS X
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Microsoft Edge
- Safari
- Internet Explorer
- Stop Push Pop-ups
How to Remove Start.prss.to from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for Start.prss.to with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall Start.prss.to 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 Start.prss.to 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 Start.prss.to 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 Start.prss.to (Windows).
Get rid of Start.prss.to from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Start.prss.to 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 Start.prss.to. 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 Start.prss.to 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 Start.prss.to files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Start.prss.to, 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 Start.prss.to (Mac)
Remove Start.prss.to 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 Start.prss.to 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 Start.prss.to 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 Start.prss.to 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 Start.prss.to will be removed.
Eliminate Start.prss.to 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".
Start.prss.to-FAQ
What Is Start.prss.to?
The Start.prss.to 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 Start.prss.to?
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 Start.prss.to?
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 Start.prss.to Work?
Once installed, Start.prss.to 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.
Start.prss.to 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 Start.prss.to 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 Start.prss.to Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Start.prss.to 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 Start.prss.to?
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 Start.prss.to threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.