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.
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.
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.
Note! Your computer might be affected by StartSearch.co and other threats.
Threats such as StartSearch.co may be persistent on your system. They tend to re-appear if not fully deleted. A malware removal tool like SpyHunter will help you to remove malicious programs, saving you the time and the struggle of tracking down numerous malicious files. SpyHunter’s scanner is free but the paid version is needed to remove the malware threats. Read SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy
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.
The article will help you to remove StartSearch.co effectively. Follow the browser hijacker removal instructions at the end of this article.
StartSearch.co is the main Web address of a search engine for the browser hijacker redirect of the same name. You could get redirected to pages with loads of advertisements or sponsored content that go through the redirect. The StartSearch browser hijacker will switch the main page, new tab, and search engine for every browser program you have installed on your computer system.
Threat Summary
Name
StartSearch.co
Type
Browser Hijacker, PUP
Short Description
Every browser application which is on your computer will get affected. The hijacker can redirect you and show you lots of advertisements.
Symptoms
Browser settings that get changed are the start page, search engine and the new tab page.
Distribution Method
Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages
Detection Tool
See If Your System Has Been Affected by StartSearch.co
StartSearch.co could be distributed with various methods, the most effective of which is via third-party installation setups. Such installers usually come from bundled applications and freeware that is packed with additional features, set to be installed with some other software. The unpacking of anything additive could occur without any prior notification. You could have installed a media player or some other free program and got your browser settings altered from this hijacker. To prevent unwanted programs from affecting your PC is possible if you find Custom or Advanced settings. There you should have an option to deselect any additional features and software from being added.
StartSearch.co could be distributed with other methods, like add-ons or extensions added to your browser. Other delivery methods may include advertisements, such as banners, pop-ups, pop-unders and redirect links. Sponsored adverts, including targeted content on suspicious websites could also deliver the hijacker. These websites could also be partnered up or affiliated with the StartSearch.co services and website. Browsers which could get affected are Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari.
StartSearch.co – More Information
The StartSearch.co URL address is the primary one for the browser hijacker that is named StartSearch. You will be redirected when you are using its services, if you click on links provided by it, and from adverts and pages hosted by its search engine. The main page can be seen from the screenshot right here:
The StartSearch.co browser hijacker can redirect you if you are using its services and interact with whatever links, adverts and other forms of content pushed from its search pages. In case you are indeed using its search engine to browse the Internet, you will get redirected to its search results page.
Be aware that every search that you do on its pages will be sending information to servers related to this StartSearch.co hijacker redirect. The pages displayed in the above and bottom images replace the homepage, new tab and default search engine for every browser that you own.
The screenshot that is shown underneath this paragraph depicts what is the result when you try to make a search query in the StartSearch.co search bar. It redirects you to a search page which is related to the hijacker. Every query in the search will be filtered and sent to servers connected to this hijacker. Thus, everything that you give out as information will be obtained data by the browser hijacker in question. Here is an example of the search results:
In case another search engine loads rather than the one of the hijacker, the website could push even more advertisements and redirects that can place browser cookies on your computer machine, and they can track your online habits. More advanced tracking technologies could also be in play. Be careful of what information you provide on such search pages, especially on ones, associated with StartSearch.co. Refrain from clicking on suspicious advertisements, nor links that are displayed by this service.
StartSearch.co – Privacy Policy
The Privacy Policy of the StartSearch.co site is located on the footer of the main URL address of the domain. Despite the Policy being quite short in length, it provides enough contexts about the data collection done by this browser hijacker. Below, you can see exactly what information can be collected from you when you are using any of the StartSearch services.
In the screenshot below, you can preview the Privacy Policy:
The following information can be acquired from you, according to the Policy:
Your name
Your email address
Your IP addresses
Demographic information
Information you voluntarily provide
Browser cookies are also dropped by the website and services of StartSearch.co and will collect more information related to your internet activity. StartSearch.co service collects your IP addresses and could identify you in other ways.
In conclusion, you should be wary of what information you provide to search engines and websites, and also, in the case you do not like personal information to be acquired from you by this browser hijacker, you should remove it.
Remove StartSearch.co Completely
To remove StartSearch.co 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.
Note! Your computer system may be affected by StartSearch.co or other threats. Scan Your PC with SpyHunter SpyHunter is a powerful malware removal tool designed to help users with in-depth system security analysis, detection and removal of threats such as StartSearch.co. 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.
To remove StartSearch.co follow these steps:
1. Uninstall malicious programs from Windows
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
How to Uninstall malicious programs 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:
Hold the Windows Logo Button and “R” on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear (fig.1).
In the field type in “appwiz.cpl” and press ENTER (fig.2).
This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press “Uninstall” (fig.3).
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
2. Clean your Browser and Registry from StartSearch.co
Remove StartSearch.co by cleaning your Browser and Registry.
Remove an extension from Mozilla FirefoxRemove an extension from Google Chrome Remove an extension from Internet Explorer Remove an extension from Microsoft Edge Fix registry entries created by StartSearch.co on your PC.
Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window
Select the “Add-ons” icon from the menu.
Select the unwanted extension and click “Remove“
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.
Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Move the cursor over “Tools” and then from the extended menu choose “Extensions“
From the opened “Extensions” menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its “Remove” button.
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.
Start Internet Explorer:
Click on the gear icon labeled ‘Tools’ to open the drop menu and select ‘Manage Add-ons’
In the ‘Manage Add-ons’ window.
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’.
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.
Start Edge
Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
From the drop menu select “Extensions”.
Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Some malicious scripts may modify the registry entries on your computer to change different settings. This is why cleaning your Windows Registry Database is recommended. Since the tutorial on how to do this is a bit long and tampering with registries could damage your computer if not done properly you should refer and follow our instructive article about fixing registry entries, especially if you are unexperienced in that area.
IMPORTANT! Before starting the Automatic Removal below, 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.
Use SpyHunter to scan for malware and unwanted programs
3. Scan for malware and unwanted programs with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Scan your PC and Remove StartSearch.co with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for StartSearch.co and remove them.2. Scan with SpyHunter, Detect and Remove StartSearch.co. Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
Step 1: Click on the “Download” button to proceed to SpyHunter’s download page.
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.
Step 2: Guide yourself by the download instructions provided for each browser.
Step 3: After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.
Step 1: After the update process has finished, click on the ‘Malware/PC Scan’ tab. A new window will appear. Click on ‘Start Scan’.
Step 2: 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.
Step 3: If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.
Back up your data to secure it against attacks in the future
IMPORTANT! Before reading the Windows backup instructions, we highly recommend to back up your data with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats. We recommend you to read more about it and to download SOS Online Backup.
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.
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.
Remove an extension from Mozilla Firefox
Remove an extension from Google Chrome
Remove an extension from Internet Explorer
Remove an extension from Microsoft Edge
Fix registry entries created by StartSearch.co on your PC.
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for StartSearch.co and remove them.
Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
