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How to Remove Startbrowser.co Search Hijacker Virus (Free Guide)

Ian Lexner
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Question asked by:

Brian P.

Issue:

My chrome browser was hijacked by Startbrowser.co - how can I remove it?

Hi,

recently my google chrome browser started behaving strange and some kind of Startbrowser ads starting to appear.
Can you tell me how can I remove it from my PC?

ThanksĄ

Solved issue
how to remove the starbrowser.co search hijacker

Because the software tries to change settings on the surfing application, the Startbrowser.co search hijacker can substantially reduce your online time. Although the hijacker is neither malicious or harmful, some of the settings it changes might cause problems with other processes, such as when search engine results become cluttered with links and advertisements to irrelevant or hazardous websites.

As soon as the browser begins to behave poorly, you must respond to the infection. It’s a sign of an already active intruder, thus the machine should be carefully cleaned. You can attain such goals by using anti-malware tools and security programs that are designed to discover malicious intruders and properly kill them.

An overview of the Startbrowser.co search hijacker 

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M.startbrowser.co is meant to redirect any search requests, exposing the user to potentially harmful content via ads, links, and banners placed into the list of results. Because the newly-added engine only offers sponsored content, integrated links with advertisements, and referrals to commercial platforms, these internet searches become worthless and inconvenient.

The most essential takeaway is that a search engine that pops out of nowhere on the browser cannot be trusted or authentic. When promotional advertising for the program, such as this search tool Startbrowser.co, emerges, you could assume there are different upgrades with the software. Installing anything from online advertisements or any business that focuses on promotional material, on the other hand, is a bad idea.

NAMEStartbrowser.co
TYPEBrowser hijacker, potentially unwanted program
SYMPTOMSWeb search results get filled with ads, redirected to m.startbrowser.co, other add-ons get installed, homepage, new tab preferences set to the same page
DISTRIBUTIONOther PUPs, freeware installation processes, deceptive sites, torrent pages
ISSUESConstant ads expose the user to unwanted content, possibly malicious material that can result in malware infiltration, various ad providers and the PUP can record and track data related to browsing or even personally identifiable details
AFFECTSVarious browsers, including Internet Explorer, Safari, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge
ELIMINATIONYou can get rid of the PUP with proper tools like anti-malware programs or security tools
REPAIR TIPWhen PUPs manage to get on the system, they can affect various processes and system data, so run iolo System Mechanic to find any corrupted files

Browser hijacking is one of the most commonly discussed issues on computer assistance bulletin boards. Most computer users are interested in learning how to protect themselves from harmful invasions and outside influence.

Browser hijacking happens when unwanted software on a computer changes the browser’s behavior. People use internet browsers as a “window” to the internet, searching for information and seeing or interacting with it.

The Startbrowser.co search hijacker is a type of computer virus that infects your computer and then changes the search engine settings in your browser to one that it prefers. It also makes other unfavorable modifications that might result in personal data breaches.

How to Get Rid of Startbrowser.co Browser Hijacker

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Some antivirus software warns users about the existence of adware and spyware, but fresh malware may slip through the cracks, or the security software may be unable to identify the invader. Users must reinstall their browsers in these instances to restore control of the interface. Find out how to remove Startbrowser.co search hijacker on different browsers.

Remove Startbrowser.co search hijacker from Mac OS

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  1. Remove items from Applications folder:
  2. From the menu bar, select Go and then Applications.
  3. In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
  4. Click on the app and move it to Trash.
mac applications move to trash bin

You must enter the Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete the following files to completely uninstall an undesirable app:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
  3. In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
  4. Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.

To Remove Startbrowser.co search hijacker From Microsoft Edge

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  1. Go to the Menu or the three dots in the right corner of the browser
  2. Select Extensions
  3. Pick the entries of ads that are related to Startbrowser.co search hijacker
  4. Click on Uninstall
clear browsing history extensions

To Clear Browsing History and Data:

  1. Click the Menu
  2. Pick the Privacy and Security
  3. When you are in the clear browsing data section
  4. Select what entries to clear
  5. Click Clear

Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.

privacy and security settings to remove Startbrowser.co search

Reset Microsoft Edge

  1. Go to the Task Manager
  2. Select the More Details option
  3. Locate each entry for the Microsoft Edge
  4. Click End Task
  5. This will reset your Microsoft Edge
Go to task manager settings

To Remove Startbrowser.co search hijacker From Chromium-based Edge

Remove Startbrowser iolo System Mechanic will optimize your current system & remove the Startbrowser virus. Purchase of a full license may be required for 100% fix.
  1. Remove the extensions from MS Edge (Chromium)
  2. Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
  3. Remove unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.
remove unwanted extensions from Edge to remove Startbrowser.co search

Clear cache and site data

  1. Click on Menu
  2. Go to Settings
  3. Select Privacy and services
  4. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear
  5. Under Time range, pick All time
  6. Select Clear now
privacy and services settings on Edge

To Reset Chromium-based Microsoft Edge

  1. Go to Menu
  2. Then Select Settings
  3. On the left side, Go to Reset Settings
  4. Then Go to Restore settings to their default values
  5. Confirm by clicking again the Reset

Remove the Startbrowser.co search hijacker  From Mozilla Firefox

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Delete extensions

  1. Go to the Firefox Menu
  2. Select Add-ons
  3. Find plugins related to the virus
  4. Click Remove
Remove extensions to remove Startbrowser.co search

To bring back your homepage

  1. Click on the Menu placed at the top right corner
  2. Go to Options then select General
  3. Delete malicious URL and type in the preferred website or click Restore to Default
  4. Click OK to save the changes you have recently applied
delete malicious URL and type preferred website

Reset Mozilla Firefox

  1. Go to Firefox browser Menu
  2. Select Help
  3. Choose Troubleshooting Information
  4. Click Refresh Firefox
  5. Select the confirmation to Refresh the Firefox
Go to troubleshooting information and click refresh firefox to remove Startbrowser.co search
reset settings to remove Startbrowser.co search

Remove Startbrowser.co search hijacker  From Google Chrome

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Hijackers use this platform to find their prey. Now, remove them by following these steps:

  1. Go to the Menu on Google Chrome
  2. Click More Tools
  3. Select Extensions
  4. In a new window, pick malicious extensions on the list
  5. Move now to the uninstallation by clicking Remove
remove chrome extension to remove Startbrowser.co search

Set your Chrome to a Preferred Homepage

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Select Search Engines
  3. Go to open a new page
  4. Select add a new page
  5. Type the preferred URL
Now go to add a new page to remove Startbrowser.co search

Reset Google Chrome

When the above steps did not work, opt for a Chrome reset

  1. Go to Chrome Settings
  2. Scroll down and choose Reset Browser settings
  3. Click Reset and confirm the action to complete removal of Startbrowser.co search hijacker
reset chrome settings to remove Startbrowser.co search

Remove Startbrowser.co search hijacker  From Safari

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  1. On the Safari Browser, go to Safari on the upper tab
  2. Select Preferences
  3. In a new Window, select Extensions
  4. Select unwanted extensions related to the virus
Go to preferences on Safari

To set your homepage back to default or your preferred URL

  1. Open Safari then go to the Menu section
  2. Select Preferences
  3. Go to the General tab
  4. On the Homepage, change URL
change homepage for the URL on safari to remove Startbrowser.co search

To Reset Safari:

  1. Go to the Safari Browser then on the menu section, click Safari
  2. Choose Reset Safari
  3. Then a set of dialog window filled with options, you have to check all of them before clicking Reset again to confirm reset process
reset Safari to remove Startbrowser.co search

How to Prevent Startbrowser.co Search Hijacker

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It’s difficult to keep your browser from being hijacked. Cleaning folders with browser cookies and histories on a regular basis is beneficial. To prevent malware from installing itself on browsers, it’s also vital to install and maintain good antivirus software. When users are alerted to unlawful installation attempts, the security software should inquire how they want to proceed. As a result, the risk of infection is reduced.

Conclusion & Why Backup Matters

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Backing up your data entails creating a duplicate of your information that may be restored in the event of the main data loss. Hardware or software failures, data corruption, or a human-caused incident, such as a malicious attack, can all cause primary data failures. It’s crucial to keep regular data backups as the only safe way to restore important files in the event that you need them.

About the author
Ian Lexner photo
Ian Lexner - PC & Mac repair expert
Ian is the editor on BestPCTips.com. He has been involved with PCs since he was a teenager. He has experience in software development, computer hardware, virus removals & other security stuff. Currently, his main job and hobby, at the same time, is to help others to deal with various computer-related issues. Whether it's viruses, spyware, all sorts of errors and "bugs" -- Ian and BestPCTips.com are here to help.

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If your Startbrowser malware is still not removed— don’t hesitate and contact us via email, or a Facebook messenger (the blue ‘bubble’ on the bottom-right of your screen).

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