How to remove searchstartnow.com from web browser's settings
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is searchstartnow.com?
While testing searchstartnow.com, we found that it is a shady search engine that may generate misleading results. It is worth noting that search engines of this kind are promoted through browser-hijacking apps. Users often download and add (or install) browser hijackers without realizing it.
More about searchstartnow.com
Searchstartnow.com may engage in deceptive or unethical practices to manipulate search results and generate revenue. It may use clickbait headlines or misleading advertisements to lure users to their site and generate ad revenue. Also, searchstartnow.com display inaccurate or low-quality search results, making it difficult for users to find relevant information.
Additionally, searchstartnow.com may also collect user data that could be sold to third parties, putting users' privacy at risk. Thus, it is recommended to use well-known search engines like Google, Bing, or Yahoo.
Browser hijackers are apps that can take over a user's web browser and modify its settings. One of the common ways that browser hijackers promote shady search engines is by changing the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page of the user's browser to a search engine that is owned or promoted by the hijacker.
| Name | searchstartnow.com browser hijacker |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Supposed Functionality | Accurate search results |
| Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
| Detection Names | Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Suspicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address | 151.101.2.114 |
| 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), fake Flash Player installers. |
| 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. |
More about browser hijackers
Once the user's browser is hijacked, it can be difficult to remove the unwanted search engine and restore the original settings. Users may need to use anti-malware software or follow specific instructions to remove the hijacker and restore their browser to its default state.
Some browser hijackers may collect personal information from the user's browser, such as browsing history and search queries and send them to third parties without the user's consent. Thus, it is highly advisable not to use any browser-hijacking apps.
Examples of apps that hijack web browsers to promote shady or fake search engines are Clipbox Tab, Bizzy Beaver, and Qwik Search.
How did searchstartnow.com promoting software install on my computer?
Browser hijackers can be added to a user's browser in various ways. Some of the common ways include downloading free software, clicking on malicious links, installing fake browser extensions, clicking shady ads, or visiting compromised websites.
Free software can sometimes come bundled with additional software, including browser hijackers. In such cases, browser hijackers are presented as an optional installation or included as a default option during the installation process, and users agree to install them when they leave the provided settings (like "Custom" or "Advanced") unchanged.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
To avoid unwanted installations of browser hijackers, users should carefully read the installation prompts and deselect any bundled software they do not want to install. Also, users should only download and install software from reputable sources and avoid clicking on dubious ads and links.
If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Searchstartnow.com shows results (GIF):
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Quick menu:
- What is searchstartnow.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove searchstartnow.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove searchstartnow.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove searchstartnow.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
searchstartnow.com redirect 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 applications (which cause browser redirects to the searchstartnow.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
searchstartnow.com redirect removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
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 extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable the malicious extension (if present), look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.searchstartnow.com) below the "Open a specific or set of pages" option. If present click on 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 "searchstartnow.com", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the searchstartnow.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 plugins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable malicious extension (if present), remove hxxp://searchstartnow.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 "Accept the Risk and Continue".
In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled". Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the 
button.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with searchstartnow.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 searchstartnow.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 searchstartnow.com website?
Developers who operate searchstartnow.com may use various methods to generate income, and the number of website visitors likely directly impacts their revenue.
Is visiting searchstartnow.com a threat to my privacy?
Your privacy can be at risk when visiting searchstartnow.com. Search engines like searchstartnow.com can collect and track personal information, including browsing history, search queries, and IP addresses. This information may be used for targeted advertising, profiling, or even sold to third parties.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browsers can be hijacked via applications bundled with browser hijackers, malicious links or download files downloaded from untrusted sources, or deceptive ads or pop-ups.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove a browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner will effectively remove browser hijackers from your computer. Manual removal of several browser hijackers may not be effective, as these hijackers may be designed to reinstall one another. In such cases, these apps have to be removed simultaneously.
Outstanding!
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