How to remove Abstract Start Page browser hijacker

What kind of application is Abstract Start Page?

Upon inspecting the Abstract Start Page extension, it became clear that it functions as a browser hijacker. Generally, browser-hijacking software is designed to alter a web browser's settings to promote specific websites. In the case of Abstract Start Page, it actively promotes abstractstartpage.com. Additionally, this browser hijacker possesses the capability to access various data.

Abstract Start Page browser hijacker overview

Once added, the Abstract Start Page extension changes the settings of a web browser. It designates abstractstartpage.com as both the default search engine and homepage, resulting in users being redirected to this website each time they open their browsers or conduct searches.

Abstractstartpage.com is an imitation search engine that redirects users to google.com, a reputable search engine. Fake search engines often give rise to apprehensions for various factors, as they tend to emphasize the promotion of particular websites and the delivery of sponsored content rather than providing genuine search results. Such conduct erodes confidence in their dependability.

Frequently, these search engines gather users' search queries and browsing data, undermining privacy and potentially revealing sensitive information. Furthermore, these counterfeit search engines can subject users to unsafe websites, phishing schemes, and potential malware downloads, thus representing a notable security hazard.

Aside from endorsing abstractstartpage.com, Abstract Start Page has the capability to access and modify data on all websites. Its capacity to read data from any website implies potential access to sensitive and private information, thereby presenting a substantial privacy concern.

Furthermore, its ability to modify data on websites suggests the potential for manipulative actions, including content alteration on web pages or the injection of unwanted advertisements. Collectively, this elevated level of access brings about notable security and privacy apprehensions, rendering Abstract Start Page an extension that is not reliable and poses potential risks.

Threat Summary:

Name	Abstract Start Page
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Abstract Start Page
Supposed Functionality	Improved browsing experience
Promoted URL	abstractstartpage.com
Detection Names (abstractstartpage.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (abstractstartpage.com)	104.21.59.62
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. ▼ 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.

Conclusion

To sum up, the Abstract Start Page extension displays several warning signs that require careful attention from users. Its activities give rise to substantial privacy and security issues and disrupt the user's browsing experience. Given its misleading tactics and potential hazards, it is recommended to avoid adding the Abstract Start Page extension to browsers.

Some examples of other apps that share similarities with Abstract Start Page are New key, Cute Goats Tab, and Horoscope Harmony.

How did Abstract Start Page install on my computer?

Users may unintentionally trigger the browser hijacking process via deceptive pop-up advertisements or following misleading links embedded in phishing emails. Also, users can inadvertently expose themselves to browser hijackers when using torrent sites, illegal movie streaming platforms, or sources that offer pirated or free software.

Another prevalent distribution method for browser hijackers is software bundling, where users unintentionally introduce or install these applications as they complete software installations without unselecting unwanted components.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

Be careful when downloading software or browser extensions, favoring reliable sources and confirming their authenticity. Ensure that your operating system, web browsers, and security software remain up to date. Avoid clicking pop-up advertisements, dubious links found in emails, or visiting deceitful websites.

Check the installers for unwanted apps and use the provided settings to deselect them before finishing installations. It is also advisable to periodically assess the extensions in your browser and remove any that are unfamiliar or unwanted. If your computer is already infected with Abstract Start Page, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Abstractstartpage.com redirects to google.com (GIF):

Permissions asked by Abstract Start Page browser hijacker:

Website promoting Abstract Start Page browser hijacker:

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▼ 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 Abstract Start Page?
• STEP 1. Uninstall Abstract Start Page application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Abstract Start Page browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove abstractstartpage.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove abstractstartpage.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Abstract Start Page 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 abstractstartpage.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Abstract Start Page browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove Abstract Start Page browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:

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 "Abstract Start Page" 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 "Abstract Start Page", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.abstractstartpage.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 "abstractstartpage.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 abstractstartpage.com 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 "Abstract Start Page", 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 "Abstract Start Page", remove hxxp://abstractstartpage.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 abstractstartpage.com 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 abstractstartpage.com 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 abstractstartpage.com website?

The principal aim is to reroute online traffic to abstractstartpage.com, which can serve a variety of purposes, including augmenting the website's visitor statistics or boosting ad revenue by driving more traffic.

Is visiting abstractstartpage.com a threat to my privacy?

Accessing abstractstartpage.com, especially if you arrived there via a browser hijacker or other dubious methods, can potentially jeopardize your privacy. The level of risk hinges on the actions taken by the website and the type of information it gathers or accesses.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are predominantly disseminated through bundled installation packages, misleading promotional websites, online frauds, free software downloads, file-sharing networks, deceptive browser notifications, and invasive advertisements.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Abstract Start Page browser hijacker?

Combo Cleaner will conduct a computer scan and effectively remove any existing browser-hijacking applications. It is important to note that manual removal is not always foolproof, especially when multiple browser hijackers are involved and can reinstall each other.

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