Remove StartFenster.de Hijacker (Chrome/Firefox/IE)

If you see the StartFenster.de site on your screen all day, every day, it’s because your PC has an infection. The site’s display is a big bright sign of the presence of a cyber threat. More precisely, it indicates you’re dealing with a browser hijacker. Unsurprisingly, that infection starts wreaking havoc by first hijacking your browser. It makes it so every time you go online, you see the site. Think of it as your constant online companion. You WILL see it all the time. And, it won’t be alone. The redirects to StartFenster.de aren’t the only intrusion you face. You also suffer an endless stream of pop-up advertisements. The tool bombards you with ads and the StartFenster.de site every time you try to browse. Without fail! So, naturally, these incessant disruptions have consequences. But every annoyance the hijacker throws your way pales in comparison to the worst problem it presents. All hijackers threaten to steal and expose your private life. They’re programmed that way. The tool, using StartFenster.de as a front, is no different. It follows the same design. And, understand this. It WILL succeed if you let it. The longer you allow it to remain on your PC, the more time it has to complete its to fulfill its design. Don’t grant it the opportunity to steal your personal and financial data! Don’t stand by as it sends your stolen information to strangers! Unknown individuals with questionable intentions. Do yourself a favor, and remove the infection before it invokes irrevocable damages! Take the display of StartFenster.de as the warning it is, and act. Locate the hijacker’s hiding place. And, delete it upon discovery. It’s the best course of action you can take, and you won’t regret it.

How did I get infected with?

Hijackers turn to the usual antics to invade your PC. Since they need user’s permission to enter, they have a myriad of ways to get you to give it. And, not just that. These tools also manage to keep you oblivious. Yes, you have no idea you gave the green light to a dangerous cyber threat. Not until it chooses to clue you in. And, that tends to happen with the commencement of the online intrusions. But until that, you’re clueless. So, how do you suppose that happens? How do you agree to install a tool, and not know it? Well, easy. You got duped. The infection doesn’t just pop up, and seek access. If it did, you’d just say ‘No.’ And, it can’t have that. So, instead, it goes another direction. The infection seeks admission in the sneakiest way possible. It hides behind corrupted links or sites. Hitches a ride with freeware or spam email attachments. Pretends to be a bogus update, like Java or Adobe Flash Player. Next time, you’re installing a tool or an update into your system, make sure to be extra cautious. Infections prey on carelessness. Don’t grant it. Instead, be vigilant and thorough. Always take the time to read the terms and conditions. Due diligence goes a long way. Carelessness takes you only one way – to an infection-ridden PC.

Why is this dangerous?

After the hijacker’s invasion, StartFenster.de becomes your new best friend. It’s a constant companion in your online activities. The page completely takes over. Every time you use your browser, it’s there. Open a new tab, it’s there. Search the web, it’s among the results. Do anything at all that involves the web, it’s there. The site even replaces your default homepage and search engine. Did you ask for the switch? No. Did you approve it? No. But it’s there nonetheless. Hijackers can do that. They can implement changes and spring them on you as a surprise. That’s because once they gain your approval on their install, that’s it. They don’t have to ask for it anymore. They just do what they please. And, that’s dangerous on so many levels. Think about it. What if the tool chooses to install a malicious program, or ten? Think of the repercussions. How long before your system gets overwhelmed? How long before The Blue Screen of Death? Yes, these are quite hypothetical scenarios. But, even though, they’re considered far-fetched, that doesn’t exclude them as options. They can happen! The fact that the odds are minuscule and insignificant does not make them non-existent. Do yourself a favor, and don’t let your situation escalate that far. As soon as StartFenster.de first comes your way, act! It’s the sign you need to prompt you into action. Don’t ignore it. Locate and remove the cyber threat ASAP.

How to Remove StartFenster.de virus

The StartFenster.de infection is specifically designed to make money to its creators one way or another. The specialists from various antivirus companies like Bitdefender, Kaspersky, Norton, Avast, ESET, etc. advise that there is no harmless virus.

If you perform exactly the steps below you should be able to remove the StartFenster.de infection. Please, follow the procedures in the exact order. Please, consider to print this guide or have another computer at your disposal. You will NOT need any USB sticks or CDs.

WARNING! Stopping the wrong file or deleting the wrong registry key may damage your system irreversibly.
If you are feeling not technical enough just use Spyhunter Professional Malware Removal Tool to deal with the problem!
>>Download SpyHunter – a Professional Remover.

Please, keep in mind that SpyHunter’s scanner tool is free. To remove the StartFenster.de infection, you need to purchase its full version.

STEP 1: Track down StartFenster.de in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate StartFenster.de startup location

STEP 3: Delete StartFenster.de traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

STEP 1: Track down StartFenster.de in the computer memory

• Open your Task Manager by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ESC keys simultaneously
• Carefully review all processes and stop the suspicious ones.

• Write down the file location for later reference.

Step 2: Locate StartFenster.de startup location

Reveal Hidden Files

• Open any folder
• Click on “Organize” button
  
• Choose “Folder and Search Options”
• Select the “View” tab
• Select “Show hidden files and folders” option
• Uncheck “Hide protected operating system files”
• Click “Apply” and “OK” button

Clean StartFenster.de virus from the windows registry

• Once the operating system loads press simultaneously the Windows Logo Button and the R key.

• A dialog box should open. Type “Regedit”

• WARNING! be very careful when editing the Microsoft Windows Registry as this may render the system broken.

Depending on your OS (x86 or x64) navigate to:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]

• and delete the display Name: [RANDOM]

• Then open your explorer and navigate to: %appdata% folder and delete the malicious executable.

Clean your HOSTS file to avoid unwanted browser redirection

Navigate to %windir%/system32/Drivers/etc/host

If you are hacked, there will be foreign IPs addresses connected to you at the bottom. Take a look below:

STEP 3 : Clean StartFenster.de traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

• Open Google Chrome

• In the Main Menu, select Tools then Extensions
• Remove the StartFenster.de by clicking on the little recycle bin
• Reset Google Chrome by Deleting the current user to make sure nothing is left behind

• Open Mozilla Firefox

• Press simultaneously Ctrl+Shift+A
• Disable the unwanted Extension
• Go to Help
• Then Troubleshoot information
• Click on Reset Firefox

• Open Internet Explorer

• On the Upper Right Corner Click on the Gear Icon
• Click on Internet options
• go to Toolbars and Extensions and disable the unknown extensions
• Select the Advanced tab and click on Reset

• Restart Internet Explorer

Step 4: Undo the damage done by StartFenster.de

This particular Virus may alter your DNS settings.

Attention! this can break your internet connection. Before you change your DNS settings to use Google Public DNS for StartFenster.de, be sure to write down the current server addresses on a piece of paper.

To fix the damage done by the virus you need to do the following.

• Click the Windows Start button to open the Start Menu, type control panel in the search box and select Control Panel in the results displayed above.
• go to Network and Internet
• then Network and Sharing Center
• then Change Adapter Settings
• Right-click on your active internet connection and click properties. Under the Networking tab, find Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). Left click on it and then click on properties. Both options should be automatic! By default it should be set to “Obtain an IP address automatically” and the second one to “Obtain DNS server address automatically!” If they are not just change them, however if you are part of a domain network you should contact your Domain Administrator to set these settings, otherwise the internet connection will break!!!

You must clean all your browser shortcuts as well. To do that you need to

• Right click on the shortcut of your favorite browser and then select properties.

• in the target field remove StartFenster.de argument and then apply the changes.
• Repeat that with the shortcuts of your other browsers.
• Check your scheduled tasks to make sure the virus will not download itself again.

How to Permanently Remove StartFenster.de Virus (automatic) Removal Guide

Please, have in mind that once you are infected with a single virus, it compromises your system and let all doors wide open for many other infections. To make sure manual removal is successful, we recommend to use a free scanner of any professional antimalware program to identify possible registry leftovers or temporary files.