How to Remove StartSearch.org From Your PC? (Effective Instructions)

Description of StartSearch.org

StartSearch.org changes the browser Internet settings and interrupts computer users’ browsing activities to create web traffic by using social engineering tactics, so it is considered as a browser redirect virus.  StartSearch.org looks like a legitimate search engine for it has a pure interface similar to famous search providers, such as Google, Yahoo or Bing.  In fact, this website is not as helpful as what it appears, for it may be used by cyber criminals to make a profit by using the pay-per-link technique.  Generally, this redirect virus can get into a computer when a user visits phishing websites, clicks on compromised advertisements or downloads pirated software.  In addition, this unwanted stuff is stealthy because its components are often distributed in spam emails.  Once innocent people click on the malicious links or attachments, the redirect virus can be triggered and installed on the target machines easily.

When the redirect virus finally finishes the installation on PC, it makes modifications on the default system settings and browser settings.  Then a series of weird symptoms start to appear on the web browsers including Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome.  To be more specific, StartSearch.org alters the browser homepage/ start-up page to its own site and changes the default search engine as well as DNA settings without permission.  People may see their browsers are redirected to unwanted website when they start the browsers or find a strange website always loads automatically in a new tab or window without any consent.  With advanced techniques, the redirect virus can even block some websites, especially the security centers sites, and sometimes bring numerous advertisements on the infected PC.

The redirect virus should not be kept as default homepage of the browser or the potential harmful activities performed by it won’t stop.  If users don’t timely remove this threat, several unnecessary add-ons, plug-ins or toolbars may be added by the malware to people’s browsers, aiming to assist in monitoring and recording user’s browsing activities and cookies.  Under the circumstances, people’s personal information may be exposed to the creator of the redirect virus.  Moreover, the threat may consume almost 100% CPU usage and lead to very slow PC performance.  What’s worse, the threat may even open a backdoor for cybercriminals by exploiting the system or browser vulnerabilities.  Once the back door is found by remote attackers, they will be allowed to access to the compromised computer and do whatever they want on the machine.

What’s the best security tool to remove StartSearch.org?

StartSearch.org is a malicious redirect virus that should be deleted from PC as soon as possible.  Most computer users will perform a scan of the system with their installed antivirus programs when they notice that there is something wrong with the browsers.  However, even if they constantly see their browsers are redirected to unwanted site, the security software may detect nothing, leave alone removing the threat.  That’s because many antivirus programs are not omnipotent and they can’t update their virus database as quickly as the threats.  By using advanced hiding techniques, the malware enables to evade the detection and auto removal by majority security tools.  In this case, it is suggested that you manually remove the redirect virus if you are a computer advanced user.

Sometimes, it’s not easy for computer users to manually eradicate this redirect virus because the malware may not be showed on the Programs and Features.  You need to download and install a professional malware removal tool to completely clear all the components of the malware.  Otherwise, the redirect virus may come back again and again after you remove it.

StartSearch.org step-by-step manual removal guide

Step1. Terminate the related processes immediately

1) Right click on the task bar and select Task Manager or press the Ctrl+Alt+Del or Ctrl+Shift+Esc composite keys to open Task Manage.

2) In the Windows Task Manager window, click on the Processes tab, find out all the related processes of the browser hijacker and disable them.

3) Exit the Task Manager window.

Step2. Remove the related program from the Control Panel

1) Click on the Start button and click Control Panel in the menu.

2) Click on the Uninstall a program link below the Programs.

3) In the showing programs list, search for the unwanted program that is associated with the redirect virus and highlight it then click on the Uninstall.

4) Next, follow the prompt to complete the uninstallation.

5) Once finished, refresh the list and find out if the browser hijacker has been successfully removed.

Step3. Clean StartSearch.org from the browsers

Internet Explorer

1) Start the Internet Explorer, click on Tools in the menu bar then choose the Internet Options in the drop-down list.

2) Click on the Advanced tab in the showing window, then click the Reset button.

3) Restart the Internet Explorer.

Mozilla Firefox

1) Open the Mozilla Firefox, click on the Firefox menu. Locate the Help then click on the Troubleshooting Information.

2) In the showing Troubleshooting Information page, click on the Reset Firefox button and confirm the reset request.

Google Chrome

1) Launch the Google Chrome and click on the Settings in the list.

2) In the Settings label page, click on Show advanced settings.

3) Click on Reset browser settings button.

Suggestion:

StartSearch.org is a computer threat that interferes with users’ browsing experience and may violate user’s confidential information.  If it can’t be removed timely, the threat may damage the browser and steal user’s valuable data and send it to third party.  Most people rely on their installed antivirus programs and always expect them to protect their PCs from all kinds of cyber threats, but the scan results may disappoint them.  The redirect virus which is equipped with changeable features may escape the detection and removal of regular antivirus programs.  In the case, we recommend users to conduct a manual removal to clear the redirect virus thoroughly.

However, the manual removal may fail to work if the redirect virus is invisible in Programs and Features.  If you find it difficult to deal with StartSearch.org or similar redirect viruses, it is suggested that you download and install a powerful malware removal tool to have a scan of the PC conveniently and remove all the malware on your PC without causing other problems safely and easily.