How to remove Tennis Start browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is Tennis Start?
While examining Tennis Start browser extension, we found that it hijacks a web browser by changing its settings. The purpose of Tennis Start is to promote search.nstart.online - a fake search engine. It is worth mentioning that users rarely download and add/install browser hijackers intentionally.
Tennis Start browser hijacker overview
Tennis Start promotes search.nstart.online making it the default search engine, homepage, and new tab. This forces users to browse the Internet using a fake search engine, which displays results generated by Bing (redirects to bing.com) and possibly other search engines.
Although bing.com is a legitimate search engine, dubious search engines like search.nstart.online can display misleading results and advertisements, and redirect users to questionable websites or show results from untrustworthy search engines. Thus, it is not advisable to trust them, particularly when they are promoted through browser hijackers.
| Name | Tennis Start |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Tennis Start |
| Supposed Functionality | Latest tennis results and updates |
| Promoted URL | search.nstart.online |
| Detection Names | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (search.nstart.online) | 52.27.181.142 |
| Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
| 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. |
Browser hijackers in general
Browser hijackers can track users' browsing habits, display misleading ads and alter the browser's settings and prevent users from changing them back. Users should not use browser hijackers because they can compromise their online privacy and security. Moreover, browser hijackers can significantly slow down a computer's performance.
Examples of different browser hijackers are Infinity Search, Clipbox Tab, and Bizzy Beaver.
How did Tennis Start install on my computer?
Browser hijackers are commonly distributed through deceptive websites, advertisements, downloaders, installers for other software, and fake software updates. In most cases, users inadvertently install such apps. Downloaders and installers that are used to spread unwanted apps usually come with "Custom", "Advanced", or other settings.
If the installation process is completed without adjusting the above-mentioned settings, browser hijackers are installed along with other software. This method of distribution is referred to as "bundling".
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Always download applications and files from legitimate sources, such as official pages or stores. Avoid downloading from third-party downloaders, unofficial pages, P2P networks, and other questionable sources. Additionally, avoid clicking on advertisements displayed by suspicious pages or allowing them to show notifications.
Before completing any downloads or installations, carefully examine the downloaders and installers for any unwanted applications. Make sure to deselect any unwanted apps to prevent them from being installed on your computer. If your computer is already infected with Tennis Start, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Search.nstart.online redirects to bing.com (GIF):
Permissions asked by Tennis Start browser hijacker:
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 Tennis Start?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Tennis Start application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Tennis Start browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove search.nstart.online homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove search.nstart.online redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Tennis Start 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 applications (which cause browser redirects to the search.nstart.online website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Tennis Start browser hijacker 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 "Tennis Start" and other 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 "Tennis Start", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.nstart.online) 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 "search.nstart.online", 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 search.nstart.online redirect, 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 extensions 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 "Tennis Start", as well as 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 "Tennis Start", remove hxxp://search.nstart.online 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 search.nstart.online redirect 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 search.nstart.online redirect, 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 search.nstart.online website?
The revenue earned by the developers of search.nstart.online is proportional to the number of visitors to a website. Thus, their goal is to increase the number of visitors.
Is visiting search.nstart.online a threat to my privacy?
Websites like search.nstart.online often collect various information (including search queries, browsing history, and other browsing-related details) about their visitors.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers can come bundled with other software programs that users download online. Also, users cause unwanted installations when visiting malicious websites, clicking on malicious links, or through fake software updates or alerts.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove a browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner can scan your computer and remove any existing browser-hijacking applications. Manual removal may not be effective in all cases, especially when multiple browser hijackers are present and can reinstall each other. In these cases, apps of this type have to be removed simultaneously.
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