Startsearch.info

Startsearch.info is rather similar to Google.com and because of this, the search tool might look more reliable than it really is. If you noticed it on the browser it is important that you read the rest of the article and learn more about this suspicious application. After researching it our specialists came to a conclusion the tool should be categorized as a browser hijacker since it settles on the system by replacing homepage, default search engine, or other preferences chosen by the user himself. Another reason the application fell under such classification was the unreliable third-party advertising content that may occasionally show up among the provided search results. You should stay away from such ads since they could redirect you to websites created for malicious purposes and the best way to avoid such content is to erase its source. To help you remove Startsearch.info quicker we are adding deletion instructions below the article, so feel free to check them out.

Researchers who tested the browser hijacker found out that it was created by developers from Russia. Therefore, if Startsearch.info is distributed with bundled installers, it should be suggested on setup files of Russian software. Usually, installers bundled with suspicious programs are spread through torrent and other doubtful file-sharing websites. If you would pay more attention to the installation process, you could avoid unwanted programs by simply deselecting them on the configuration wizard. However, there are malicious setup files that install untrustworthy software without notifying the user, so a better way to avoid unreliable applications would be to download installers from legitimate web pages.

The browser hijacker makes changes to the user’s preferences in order to settle in. For example, it can replace your default search engine with Startsearch.info or set it to be your new homepage. The strange part is that even though the browser loads the new search tool, the user gets redirected to Google.com once he enters a keyword and clicks Enter. Naturally, you may see no difference and think it is the same as if you were using original Google, but the tool you are actually using is a custom search engine. It means the results could be modified accordingly to the application, which uses this custom tool. As you see, our researchers noticed that the application can inject the gathered results with third-party pop-ups, sponsored links, and other ads, which normally would not show up while searching with original google.com.

The additional advertisements among the results could be third-party pop-ups, banners, sponsored links, and so on. We believe such content could be dangerous because we do not know from where it might come from. Users might also feel discouraged to trust the third-party content as the software’s creators claim they do not take any responsibility for third-party products, services, web pages, and so on. This statement can be found in the Privacy Policy document provided on Startsearch.info. If the browser hijacker’s developers take no responsibility, it is possibly they do not review any ads displayed through the search engine. Thus, no one can guarantee that the provided ads will not redirect you to websites containing malware or distributing other doubtful software, such as adware, potentially unwanted programs, different browser hijackers, etc.

Do you really want an application that could show you possibly dangerous content on your browser when you can easily replace it? If your answer is no, we encourage you to get rid of this hijacker at once and browse ads-free once again. To eliminate Startsearch.info manually, it should be enough to simply reset the browser the way it is shown in the instructions placed below the text. In addition, we would advise you to check the computer with a trustworthy antimalware tool. If this browser hijacker managed to enter the system there might be also other suspicious applications on the computer. Cleaning the system would help you secure it and make it less vulnerable to threats. Once the tool is installed you could perform a full system scan and later erase all threats at the same time by only clicking the deletion button.

Reset browsers to remove Startsearch.info

Internet Explorer

1. Press Alt+X and select Internet Options.
2. Click on the Advanced tab and click Reset.
3. Select Delete personal settings.
4. Press Reset again and click Close.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Press the Help icon (top-left corner).
2. Select Troubleshooting information.
3. Choose Refresh Firefox.
4. Press Refresh Firefox again and click Finish.

Google Chrome

1. Press Alt+F to select Settings.
2. Slide down and mark Show advanced settings.
3. Scroll below again, then select Reset Settings and press Reset.