Webstart.me Redirect

What is webstart.me?

Developers present webstart.me as a legitimate Internet search engine that supposedly enhances the web browsing experience by generating improved results and providing quick access to various popular websites (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, etc.).

These claims often trick users into believing that webstart.me is legitimate, however, this site is promoted using rogue downloaders/installers designed to modify web browser options without permission. In addition, webstart.me gathers various information relating to users' Internet browsing activity.

Rogue set-ups target Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. Immediately after infiltration, set-ups assign the new tab URL, default search engine, and homepage options to webstart.me.

Furthermore, set-ups stealthily install a number of "helper objects" (third party applications and/or browser extensions) to prevent users from reverting the aforementioned changes - they continue to reassign browser settings when attempts are made to change them.

Therefore, returning browsers to their previous states becomes impossible and users are encouraged to visit webstart.me 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.

Research shows that webstart.me and "helper objects" gather various data relating to web browsing habits. This information might contain personal details that developers share with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). These people misuse private details to generate revenue.

Therefore, data tracking can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. If you encounter unwanted redirects to webstart.me, immediately eliminate all dubious applications/browser plug-ins and never return to this site again.

Threat Summary:

Name	webstart.me 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. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

webstart.me2 is a regular fake search engine and, therefore, shares many similarities with adamant.pristineapp.com, feed.video-browse.com, seemoviesonline.stream, and many others. 

By offering improved search results and other useful features, websites such as webstart.me attempt to give the impression of legitimacy, however, the only purpose of all fake search engines is to generate revenue for the developers, whilst regular users receive no real value. Most fake search engines cause unwanted redirects and gather information.

In some cases, they feed users with misleading search results and intrusive ads (coupons, banners, and so on). Both redirect to untrustworthy (potentially, malicious) websites. Therefore, using fake search engines might lead to high-risk computer infections.

How did webstart.me install on my computer?

As mentioned before, developers promote webstart.me via browser-hijacking download/installation set-ups. This deceptive marketing method is called "bundling". Developers are aware that many users are often careless during download/installation - they rush and skip steps.

Therefore, developers hide details regarding modification of browser options within "Advanced/Custom" settings or other sections of the download/installation processes. By skipping steps, users inadvertently grant set-ups permission to modify various options, expose their systems to risk of infections, and compromise their privacy.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) are also distributed using the "bundling" method, and intrusive ads. Therefore, to prevent system infiltration by PUPs, be very cautious when downloading/installing software and browsing the Internet. Carefully analyze each step of the download/installation processes using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings.

Decline offers to download/install additional applications and cancel those already included. You are also advised to download your applications from official sources only, using direct download links, since criminals proliferate PUPs using unofficial downloaders/installers ("bundling" method).

Bear in mind that intrusive ads often look legitimate, but are distinguishable, since most lead to dubious websites such as gambling, adult dating, pornography, and so on. These ads are typically delivered by adware-type PUPs. If you encounter them, immediately eliminate all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins. Using a legitimate anti-virus/anti-spyware suite is also paramount.

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:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is webstart.me?
• STEP 1. Uninstall webstart.me application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove webstart.me redirect from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove webstart.me browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove webstart.me homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove webstart.me redirect from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

webstart.me 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 webstart.me website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

webstart.me 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://webstart.me 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 "webstart.me".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the webstart.me 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 "WebStart.me" 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.webstart.me) 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 "webstart", 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 webstart.me 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://webstart.me 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: "webstart.me"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with webstart.me 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 webstart.me 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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