Faststartpage.com Redirect Virus Removal Guide

Faststartpage.com is a malicious browser hijacker or redirect virus that can cause redirection and other serious PC problems. This infection often cause the default browser homepage to be replaced by Faststartpage.com, and users always to be redirected to some unknown websites which contain lots of commercial ads. It is designed to generate advertisement revenue by hijacking innocent computer users to certain websites and tricking them into clicking on commercial ads and sponsored links.

The redirect virus is able to enter the target PC in several ways silently and most people don't have a clue how their browsers get hijacked. It usually exploits user's neglect to get onto the computer as pops- up or a piece of software looks legitimate. It is common cases that a redirect virus attatches to some general installers of software to gets installed onto random computers because most innocent net users won't notice the install or download option of the redirect during the boring installation of a program. Freeware or shareware has a great tendency to be downloaded by users; however, such software is often the carrier of malware. If the freeware that is bundled with the redirect virus is downloaded and installed on the PC, the settings of browsers and the system may be modified.

The bad effects this Faststartpage.com redirect virus can bring to a computer is huge and beyond your imagination. In fact, these unwanted browser extensions not only display constant advertisements but also spy on users' browsing histories and collect their personal information for cybercriminals to make illegal profits. Once the browser is infected, many unfamiliar URLs may open automatically in new tabs or windows or be added to the bookmarks, tending to mislead users to advertising websites or dubious sites that contain malicious codes. If users click on the URLs and visit those websites, they may be misled into buying specific fake products or non-existent services.

Once the computer is infected by the redirect virus, it's easier for other cyber threats to take the opportunity to arrive on the compromised PC and further damage the system. Taking this Faststartpage.com redirect item as an example, it changes the browser settings which causes page redirection and new tab popping up, as well as strange download and installation of unknown plug-ins. Once that data are exposed to the public, users may suffer from identify theft and other undesirable losses. It will send the collected information to the remote severs to gain illegal profits. The following is the guide to clean up this threat completely.

Instructions on Deleting Faststartpage.com Redirect Virus

1. Disable running processes on Windows Task Manager.
1) Press Ctrl+Alt+Del keys to activate Windows Task Manager.
2) From Processes tab, find out the associated processes of the threat and then right click on the End Process button to totally terminate them.
2. Uninstall associated programs of Faststartpage.com from the computer.
1)Click on Start button, click Control Panel.
2) Click Program, click on Uninstall a Program.
3) From Programs and Features, locate the associated programs of the browser hijacker from the applications list, locate the associated programs and then click Uninstall button to remove them.
4) Confirm the uninstall request then follow the wizard to complete the removal.
3. Modify browser settings to stay away from the cyber attacks triggered by the redirect virus.
1) Enable the browser.
2) Revert browser settings and fully remove the associated Internet temp files.
For Internet Explorer
Click Tools-> Go to Internet Options-> Click Advanced tab-> Click on Reset button
For Mozilla Firefox
Click Firefox-> locate Help option-> Go to Troubleshooting Information-> Click Reset Firefox button
For Google Chrome
Click the wrench icon-> Click Settings-> Click Show Advanced Settings link-> Click Reset Browser Settings
3) Reset the browser homepage manually.
For Internet Explorer
Click General from the Internet Options -> type a secure and new web address -> confirm the modification
For Mozilla Firefox
Click Options from the Firefox menu-> Click General tab-> type a secure and new web address -> confirm the changes.
For Google Chrome
Go to Advance section in the Settings-> Click Show Home Button-> Click the displayed Change link-> type a secure and new web address
4) Restart the browser to confirm the modification.

Conclusion

Users may face a series of unpleasant problems when their computers are infected by Faststartpage.com redirect virus. It's true that this Faststartpage.com won't be seen as a technical computer "virus" while it can cause virus attack to the compromised machine. So computer users should try all means to safeguard the system. Keep away from websites with no or low reputation, since those websites might contain malicious codes of deferent malware like redirect virus, Trojan horse, worm and adware. Some threats could be downloaded to the computers unwittingly. Meanwhile, it is necessary to keep all security tools installed on the computers up-to-date to protect PCs from various newly cyber attacks.