How to remove web-startpage.com from browsers
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is web-startpage.com?
According to developers, web-startpage.com is a "high-quality" Internet search engine that significantly enhances the browsing experience by generating improved results. Judging on appearance alone, this site barely differs from Google, Yahoo, Bing, and other legitimate search engines.
Therefore, many users believe that web-startpage.com is also legitimate and useful, however, it continually records various information relating to Internet browsing activity. Furthermore, web-startpage.com is promoted via rogue downloaders/installers that modify browser settings without permission.
More about browser hijackers
Following infiltration, set-ups hijack Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, stealthily modifying the new tab URL, default search engine, and homepage options by assigning them to web-startpage.com.
These changes may seem insignificant, however, users are unable to revert them - rogue set-ups also install a number of third party applications and/or browser plug-ins (so-called "helper objects"). These apps/add-ons reassign browser settings when attempts are made to change them.
Therefore, returning browsers to their previous states becomes impossible and users are forced to visit web-startpage.com when they open a new browser tab or search via the URL bar. This significantly diminishes the web browsing experience. Another downside is information tracking.
Bear in mind that web-startpage.com and helper objects continually record various user-system information that might be personally identifiable. The collected data (IP addresses, URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, etc.) is later shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse private information to generate revenue.
This behavior can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. If you encounter unwanted redirects to web-startpage.com, uninstall all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins. Never return to this site.
| Name | web-startpage.com browser hijacker |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Supposed Functionality | This search engine is supposed to provide high quality search results |
| Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
| Detection Names | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Symptoms | Manipulated Internet browser settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit the hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), dubious websites, and similar channels. |
| Damage | Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Fake search engines in general
The Internet is full of fake search engines virtually identical to web-startpage.com. The list of examples includes (but is not limited to) go.myquery.net, searchencrypt.com, spacequery.com, and tabquery.com. These sites claims to generate improved results, thereby enhancing the web browsing experience.
In fact, these claims are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy. The only purpose of all fake search engines is to generate revenue for the developers, whilst regular users receive no value. They cause unwanted redirects and continually record user-system information relating to Internet browsing activity.
How did web-startpage.com install on my computer?
To promote web-startpage.com, developers employ a deceptive marketing method called "bundling", since they know that users often rush the download/installation processes and skip steps. Therefore, all information regarding modification of browser settings is hidden within the "Custom/Advanced" options of these procedures.
By skipping this section, users inadvertently grant set-ups permission to modify browser settings, expose their systems to risk of various infections, and compromise their privacy.
How to avoid installation of unwanted applications?
There are two simple steps you should take to prevent this situation. Firstly, carefully analyze each download/installation step using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings. Secondly, decline offers to download/install additional applications and cancel those already included.
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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Quick menu:
- What is web-startpage.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall web-startpage.com application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove web-startpage.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove web-startpage.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove web-startpage.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove web-startpage.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
web-startpage.com browser hijacker removal:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
macOS (OSX) users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently-installed suspicious applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted programs that cause browser redirects to the web-startpage.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
web-startpage.com browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon 
(at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://web-startpage.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer. You can also enter about: blank to open a blank page when you start Internet Explorer.
Change your default search engine:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". In the opened window, select "Search Providers", set "Google", "Bing", or any other preferred search engine as your default and then remove "web-startpage".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the web-startpage.com browser hijacker, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.
Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.web-startpage.com) below the “Open a specific or set of pages” option. If present, click the three vertical dots icon and select “Remove”.
Change your default search engine:
To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for "web-startpage.com", and when located, click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the web-startpage.com browser hijacker, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions" and remove all recently-installed browser plug-ins.
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://web-startpage.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.
Change your default search engine:
In the URL address bar, type about:config and press Enter.
Click "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "web-startpage.com"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with web-startpage.com browser hijacker removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...
In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.
In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.
In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage and new tab settings:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".
Change your default Internet search engine:
To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon 
near it and select "Disable".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the web-startpage.com browser hijacker, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users visit web-startpage.com website?
Web-startpage.com may generate revenue to its creators through data collection and other sources. Increased traffic boosts earnings from these sources.
Is visiting web-startpage.com a threat to my privacy?
Visiting web-startpage.com poses a threat to your privacy. It may gather various data (e.g., browsing habits) and lead to unreliable websites.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
A browser hijacker could have entered your computer via unreliable software downloads, misleading links in emails, deceptive ads, P2P networks, unofficial app stores, or similar channels.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove a browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and remove all browser hijackers. However, manually removing these applications might not always be effective, especially if multiple browser hijackers are present and can reinstall one another. Therefore, it is essential to remove all of them simultaneously to ensure complete eradication.
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