Removing software that generates redirects to the isearch.start.fyi site

What kind of website is isearch.start.fyi?

Isearch.start.fyi is the address of an illegitimate search engine. Websites of this kind are usually promoted by browser-hijacking software. It makes changes to browser settings in order to cause redirects to these sites. Furthermore, both fake search engines and browser hijackers typically collect sensitive user data.

How do browser hijackers promote isearch.start.fyi?

Browser-hijacking software modifies browser settings and can use persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent users from recovering their browsers.

This software reassigns browsers' homepages, default search engines, and new browser tab/window URLs to the endorsed website addresses. For example, with a browser hijacker promoting isearch.start.fyi installed: new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries typed into the URL bar – would result in redirects to this site.

At the time of research, isearch.start.fyi failed to generate search results. Typically, fake search engines either redirect to legitimate search engines (e.g., Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc.) or provide inaccurate search results that can include sponsored, deceptive, and malicious content.

Illegitimate search engines and browser-hijacking software usually gather vulnerable information. Data of interest may include: searched queries, visited URLs, viewed webpages, IP addresses, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related information, and so forth. The collected data can then be monetized via sale to third-parties.

To summarize, the presence of browser hijackers on devices can result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	isearch.start.fyi browser hijacker
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Affected Browser Settings	Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine
Detection Names	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address	13.249.85.22
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).
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. ▼ 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.

Fake search engine and browser hijacker examples

We have investigated thousands of illegitimate search engines and browser hijackers; searchmenow.gg, bestsearch.ai, landscapestab.com – are merely a few examples of the former, and Space backgrounds pictures, Lookup for Wikipedia, Motivational Quotes – of the latter.

These websites and software appear ordinary and harmless. Users are typically lured with promises of "useful" functionalities, which are rarely operational. However, it must be stressed that even if a site or a piece of software operates as advertised – that is not definitive proof of either legitimacy or safety.

How did isearch.start.fyi promoting software install on my computer?

Browser hijackers can have "official" promotional webpages, and they are often pushed through scam sites. Most users access such pages via redirects caused by websites using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, mistyped URLs, intrusive ads, or installed adware.

Browser-hijacking software can also be bundled with regular programs. The risk of inadvertently permitting bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and third-party sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and by rushing through installation processes (e.g., ignoring terms, using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.).

Intrusive advertisements proliferate browser hijackers as well. Once clicked on, some of these adverts can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We highly recommend researching software and downloading only from official/verified sources. When installing, it is just as important to read terms, explore possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of all additional apps, extensions, features, etc.

Another recommendation is to exercise caution while browsing since fake and malicious content usually appears legitimate and innocuous. For example, intrusive ads may look ordinary yet redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.).

In case of encounters with such adverts/redirects, check the system and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.

Appearance of a isearch.start.fyi redirect (GIF):

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 isearch.start.fyi?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove isearch.start.fyi browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove isearch.start.fyi homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove isearch.start.fyi redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Isearch.start.fyi 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, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Isearch.start.fyi 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 "Extensions" and click "Manage 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.isearch.start.fyi) 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 "isearch.start.fyi", 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 isearch.start.fyi 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://isearch.start.fyi 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 isearch.start.fyi 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 isearch.start.fyi 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 to visit isearch.start.fyi website?

Redirects to sites like isearch.start.fyi are generated because cyber criminals (e.g., developers of browser hijackers and fake search engines) profit through them.

Is visiting isearch.start.fyi a threat to my privacy?

To a certain extent, yes. Websites like isearch.start.fyi tend to collect (and sell) visitor data.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are mainly distributed through deceptive promotional webpages, bundled installers, online scams, freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive ads.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove browser hijackers?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your system and eliminate detected browser-hijacking apps. It is noteworthy that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might not be a perfect solution, especially when multiple browser hijackers are present. Since when one browser hijacker is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. This software may also restrict access to removal-related settings and/or undo user-made changes. Therefore, browser hijackers must be removed thoroughly and all at once.

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