Remove Startpage.com Homepage Hijacker

Suddenly Startpage.com took over your homepage and you cannot remove it.

Startpage.com is owned by a Dutch company called Surfboard Holding BV. On theory, it’s a useful program that provides relevant search results. On practice, though, things aren’t looking so great. Startpage.com has been classified as a nasty browser hijacker. It poses a threat to both your safety and privacy. Yes, you’re stuck with a deceptive, dangerous and irritating PC virus. The sooner you tackle this pest, the better. You’ll find comprehensive removal instructions down below. Now, Startpage.com starts getting on your nerves as soon as it lands on board. Do you know how browser hijackers work? Being a typical hijacker, this program follows the classic pattern. It modifies your default browser settings. You will notice a malicious extension added behind your back. Oh, this parasite is sneaky beyond belief. It makes numerous completely unauthorized changes in your preferred PC settings. Apart from the plugin, this infection may install additional toolbars as well. It also replaces your homepage and search engine with its own domain. As you could imagine, such a questionable domain can’t be trusted. Startpage.com only generates one thing – sponsored web links. And a sponsored link could be leading to all kinds of harmful pages. You might compromise your PC further in the blink of an eye. Is that what you’re trying to achieve online, worsen your situation? If not, stay away from anything the hijacker displays. The Startpage.com virus redirects you to random websites. Those may or may not be safe. Are you willing to risk it? Restrain yourself from clicking whatever Startpage.com bombards you with. Keep in mind that you’re dealing with a sneaky cyber infection. It generates web traffic thus helping hackers gain profit. As you can see, though, crooks’ revenue would come directly at your expense. The hijacker exposes you to malware and alters your browser settings. It also spies on your personal information and jeopardizes your privacy. Yes, hijackers collect browsing-related data. Startpage.com is no exception. It sends your private details (IP addresses, browsing history, emails) straight to crooks. They will indeed find a way to make money out of your data. The problem is that you could fall victim to some financial fraud or even identity theft. To prevent further harm, get rid of the intruder.

How did I get infected with?

You didn’t install it voluntarily, did you? No, you didn’t. Cyber parasites are immensely tricky and stealthy. Instead of waiting for you to add them, infections add themselves. For example, Startpage.com might have been attached to some software bundle. If you often download such program packages, watch out for potential intruders. There could be some nasty “bonus” program in the bundle. There could a whole bunch of malicious infections so make no mistake. Take your time in the installation process and don’t rush. Check out all programs you give green light to thoroughly. In addition, go through the Terms and Conditions or EULA. This will guarantee you that nothing would sneak onto your machine. Hijackers also travel the Web as spam emails or messages. Yes, the virus might have been sent straight to your inbox. In the future, avoid clicking such questionable messages. Delete what you don’t trust and be cautious. Last but not least, avoid unverified pages and third-party pop-ups. More often than not, those are unsafe.

Why is this dangerous?

The Startpage.com hijacker only causes trouble. Its very last concern is to deliver search results, let alone safe ones. Remember that this program was developed by hackers with unclear intentions. The hijacker generates web traffic to some specific pages. It also hijacks all your browsers by adding its pesky plugin. Speaking of the add-on, it works with some of the most commonly used browsers on the Internet. Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome and Internet Explorer are included. They are now compromised and unreliable. As already mentioned, you must avoid all web links displayed by the hijacker. Chances are, they are harmful. The parasite is also known to be stealing browsing-related data. However, it could spy on some personally identifiable information as well. That would put your privacy in great danger so don’t let hackers trick you. The more time Startpage.com  spends on board, the more problematic it becomes. Before the hijacker gets out of hand, uninstall it. To do so manually, please follow our detailed removal guide down below.

How to Remove Startpage.com virus

If you perform exactly the steps below you should be able to remove the Startpage.com 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.

The Startpage.com adware is specifically designed to make money. It generates web traffic, collects sales leads for other dubious sites, and will display advertisements and sponsored links within your web browser.

STEP 1: Uninstall Startpage.com from Add\Remove Programs

STEP 2: Clean Startpage.com from Chrome Firefox or Internet Explorer

STEP 3: Permanently Remove Startpage.com leftovers from the System

STEP 1 : Uninstall Startpage.com from your computer

Simultaneously press the Windows Logo Button and then “R” to open the Run Command Window

 

Type “regedit”

 

navigate to HKCU\software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main

Modify the string with a value data and set it to google.com for example.

STEP 2 : Remove Startpage.com homepage from Chrome, Firefox and IE

• Open Google Chrome

• In the Main Menu, select Tools then Extensions
• Remove the Startpage.com 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

How to Permanently Remove Startpage.com Virus (automatic) Removal Guide

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.