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 |
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss StartSearch.co. |
StartSearch.co – Ways of Distribution
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.
- Windows
- Mac OS X
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Microsoft Edge
- Safari
- Internet Explorer
- Stop Push Pop-ups
How to Remove StartSearch.co from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for StartSearch.co with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall StartSearch.co 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:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 4: Clean Any registries, Created by StartSearch.co 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 StartSearch.co 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 StartSearch.co (Windows).
Get rid of StartSearch.co from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall StartSearch.co 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 StartSearch.co. 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 StartSearch.co 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 StartSearch.co files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as StartSearch.co, 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 StartSearch.co (Mac)
Remove StartSearch.co 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 StartSearch.co 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 StartSearch.co 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 StartSearch.co 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 StartSearch.co will be removed.
Eliminate StartSearch.co 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".
StartSearch.co-FAQ
What Is StartSearch.co?
The StartSearch.co 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 StartSearch.co?
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 Mac can be the following types:
- Rogue Antivirus programs.
- Adware.
- Browser hijackers.
- Clickers.
- Fake optimizers.
What to Do If I Have a "virus" like StartSearch.co?
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 StartSearch.co Work?
Once installed, StartSearch.co can collect data about your web browsing habits, such as the websites you visit and the search terms you use. This data is then used to target you with ads or to sell your information to third parties.
StartSearch.co 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 StartSearch.co 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 StartSearch.co Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this StartSearch.co 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 StartSearch.co?
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 StartSearch.co threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.