Web-start-page.com

Web-start-page.com is one of the browser hijackers that silently enters the system by modifying your browser’s Target line. Since the application may replace user’s preferred homepage, the user may want to switch it back. However, our less experienced readers might not even think about checking the shortcut’s Target line, so it could seem impossible to get rid of Web-start-page.com. Luckily, after seeing the instructions placed below, removing the browser hijacker might seem much easier than before. Still, we want to encourage you to read the full article too. Our researchers tested the application to learn all important details about it, so further in the text, we will share with more information related to the browser hijacker. This knowledge may help you understand such threats better and hopefully avoid them next time too.

Firstly, let us explain to you how Web-start-page.com could appear on the system. Our specialists say that such programs usually enter user’s computer after installing suspicious freeware. You may encounter such software on untrustworthy file-sharing web pages. Sites as these could bundle setup files with doubtful applications, e.g. browser hijackers, adware, potentially unwanted programs, or even malicious threats.

Unfortunately, it is rather easy not to notice bundled suggestions, especially if you accept any terms without reading them or do not bother choosing advanced installation options. If that is the case, we would advise you to be more careful while installing freeware. It would be best to check the software’s publishers, get its setup file from reliable source, and pay more attention to the Terms of use.

At this point, it is important to understand how the application hijacks your browser. As we said, in the beginning, it has something to do with the Target line. It can be accessed if you right-click the browser’s shortcut and select Properties. Typically, the Target line should include a path showing where the executable file, which launches the browser is. To provide you with an example, this is how Google Chrome’s target line should look like: “C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe.” Therefore, to hijack the browser, the threat should modify this line by placing this link “http://web-start-page.com” at the ending. As soon as these changes are completed, the browser should load Web-start-page.com as your homepage. The same might happen for those who use Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox.

Searching the Internet with Web-start-page.com might be a bad idea. Even though its Privacy Policy document mentions using such reliable tools as Google or Bing, it also says that the application could collect the result with Trovi Search or MySecureSearch and these two programs are categorized as browser hijackers too. In any case, no matter what search engine is used, there is a possibility the hijacker’s creators could modify gathered results and place additional third-party advertisements among them.

The ads might promote third-party services, software, web pages, and other content. According to the Web-start-page.com Privacy Policy the browser hijacker’s creators “do not exercise control over any third party sites, software or services.” In other words, the search engine’s developers do not take any responsibility for such content, so if you visit third-party websites or install their software, you use these products at your own risk. Thus, you should be aware that some of the ads could redirect you to malicious web pages, e.g. websites containing Trojan infections, viruses, and so on. Also, the sites might invade your privacy while gathering sensitive data without your consent. It does not seem wise to take such risks for such an unreliable application. After all, there are quite a lot of more reliable search engines you could choose from. If you think so as well, do not hesitate anymore and eliminate the hijacker.

Users who are determined to erase Web-start-page.com manually should follow our recommended removal steps available a little bit below this text. They will show you how to locate your browser Target line and erase the application’s link that may not allow you to replace the homepage. What’s more, as there might be other threats on the system it might be a good idea to scan the system with a reputable antimalware software. It would help you not only detect possible threats, but also delete them automatically.

Remove Web-start-page.com from browsers

1. Find the affected browser’s shortcut.
2. Right-click the shortcut, select Properties and choose the Shortcut tab.
3. Locate the Target line (e.g. “C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe” “http://web-start-page.com”).
4. Select and delete this link: “http://web-start-page.com”
5. Press OK.