Startpage.pro Redirect
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is startpage.pro?
Identical to mybrowserhome.com, startpage.pro is a fake Internet search engine that, according to the developers, supposedly enhances the browsing experience by generating improved results and by providing shortcuts to dozens of popular websites.
On initial inspection, startpage.pro may seem legitimate and useful, however, developers employ rogue downloaders/installers to promote this website. Furthermore, startpage.pro records private information.
Research shows that rogue set-ups hijack web browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox), stealthily modifying the new tab URL, homepage, and default search engines by assigning them to startpage.pro.
Set-ups stealthily install a number of "helper objects" (potentially unwanted programs and/or browser plug-ins) that continue to reassign browser options when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, users are unable to revert changes performed by set-ups and are automatically redirected to startpage.pro when they search via the URL bar or simply open a new browser tab.
These redirects significantly diminish the browsing experience. As mentioned above, startpage.pro (and helper objects) continually records information (keystrokes, URLs visited, search queries, Internet Protocol addresses, so on so forth) that often includes personal details. Developers sell this information to third parties, thus putting your privacy at risk.
Furthermore, some potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) and rogue extensions diminish overall system performance by misusing resources to mine cryptocurrency or run other unwanted background processes. If you are continually redirected to startpage.pro, uninstall all suspicious apps/browser add-ons and never visit this site again.
| Name | startpage.pro browser hijacker |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Symptoms | Manipulated Internet browser(s) settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). User's are forced to visit hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers. |
| Damage | Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
The Internet is full of fake search engines virtually identical to startpage.pro. The list of examples includes (but is not limited to) chromesearch.today, newtab.today, safesearch.net, and boxedsearch.com. As with startpage.pro, these sites also claim to enhance the browsing experience, however, although they appear legitimate and useful, most are useless for regular users.
Websites such as startpage.pro are designed only to generate revenue for the developers. They merely cause redirects and record private information.
Some fake search engines are also known to feed users with "malvertising" ads (banners, coupons, etc.) and false search results, thereby tricking users into visiting malicious websites. In addition, some ads execute scripts that download and install malware. Therefore, using a fake Internet search engine is very risky.
How did startpage.pro install on my computer?
This site is promoted using browser-hijacking downloaders and installers (the bundling method). Developers know that many users do not pay enough attention during download and installation. Therefore, they conceal all details of browser modifications within various sections (usually the "Custom/Advanced" options) of these processes.
Users often rush and skip most download/installation steps, thereby inadvertently granting set-ups permission to modify various settings. In addition, they expose their systems to risk of various infections and compromise their privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Potentially unwanted programs are also distributed using bundling and via the aforementioned ads. To prevent system infiltration by these programs, be very cautious when downloading and installing software, and when browsing the Internet in general. Pay close attention to each step of the download/installation processes and cancel all additionally-included programs.
Bundling is used to monetize third party download and installation tools (distribution of third party software). Therefore, we strongly advise you to avoid using such tools. Furthermore, be aware that criminals invest a great deal of time and resources into designing malicious ads.
Most appear legitimate, however, they are distinguishable for their redirects - most lead to dubious websites (e.g., pornography, adult dating, survey, gambling, etc.) If you experience these ads and websites, uninstall all dubious applications and browser plug-ins.
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is startpage.pro?
- STEP 1. Uninstall startpage.pro application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove startpage.pro redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove startpage.pro browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove startpage.pro homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove startpage.pro redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
startpage.pro 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 startpage.pro website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
startpage.pro 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://startpage.pro 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 "startpage".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the startpage.pro 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 "StartPage.pro" and other 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.startpage.pro) 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 "startpage", 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 startpage.pro 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://startpage.pro 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: "startpage.pro"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with startpage.pro 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 startpage.pro 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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