StartSearch.co Redirect Removal

by Berta Bilbao | June 20, 2017 | 0 Comments browser hijacker, redirect

Threat Summary Remove StartSearch.co Completely

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 malware Download Malware Removal Tool
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.

Berta Bilbao

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.

Guide 1: How to Remove StartSearch.co from Windows.
Guide 2: Get rid of StartSearch.co on Mac OS X.
Guide 3: Remove StartSearch.co in Google Chrome.

Guide 4: Erase StartSearch.co from Mozilla Firefox.
Guide 5: Uninstall StartSearch.co from Microsoft Edge.
Guide 6: Remove StartSearch.co from Safari.
Guide 7: Eliminate StartSearch.co from Internet Explorer.
Guide 8: Disable StartSearch.co Push Notifications in Your Browsers.

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: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove StartSearch.co

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

1. Hold Windows key() + R

2. The "Run" Window will appear. In it, type "msconfig" and click OK.

3. Go to the "Boot" tab. There select "Safe Boot" and then click "Apply" and "OK".

Tip: Make sure to reverse those changes by unticking Safe Boot after that, because your system will always boot in Safe Boot from now on.

4. When prompted, click on "Restart" to go into Safe Mode.

5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen.

Step 2: 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:

1. Hold the Windows Logo Button and "R" on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear.

2. In the field type in "appwiz.cpl" and press ENTER.

3. This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press "Uninstall"

Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.

Step 3: Clean any registries, created by StartSearch.co on your computer.

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:

1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.

2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.

3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.

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.

IMPORTANT!
Before starting "Step 4", 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.

Step 4: Scan for StartSearch.co with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

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.

2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.

3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.

4. 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.

If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Get rid of StartSearch.co from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall StartSearch.co and remove related files and objects

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your Mac with SpyHunter for Mac

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter for Mac needs to purchased to remove the malware threats. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy

1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:

2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:

3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to StartSearch.co:

Tip: To quit a process completely, choose the “Force Quit” option.

4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.

5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to StartSearch.co. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.

6: Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. 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.

7: Remove any left-over files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:

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:

Disclaimer! If you are about to tamper with Library files on Mac, be sure to know the name of the virus file, because if you delete the wrong file, it may cause irreversible damage to your MacOS. Continue on your own responsibility!

1: Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:

2: Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:

3: Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as StartSearch.co. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.

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.

Click the button below below to download SpyHunter for Mac and scan for StartSearch.co:

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

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.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

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.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

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.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

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.

How to Reset Safari
IMPORTANT: Before resetting Safari make sure you back up all your saved passwords within the browser in case you forget them.

Start Safari and then click on the gear leaver icon.

Click the Reset Safari button and you will reset the browser.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

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.