How to remove start.qone8.com from browsers
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is start.qone8?
The start.qone8.com website is promoted using free software downloads. Internet users often refer to this site as a browser hijacker or the Qone8 virus. These negative associations are made since computer users' Internet browser settings are commonly changed without their consent.
Start.qone8.com is similar to legitimate search engines such as Google, Yahoo, or Bing, however, using this site for your daily Internet searches is not recommended. The site may display deceptive sponsored search results and ads, which may lead to serious security and privacy issues.
Note that start.qone8.com is not related to computer viruses, however, browser redirects to this site are a consequence of not paying close enough attention during the download and installation phase of free software.
Start.qone8 overview
The start.qone8.com website claims to make users' Internet browsing experience more productive by providing best search results from the leading Internet search engines, however, it adds no real value, and moreover, cyber criminals responsible for creating this browser hijacker are able to redirect Internet users to malicious sources and infect computers with high-risk malware. You are advised to eliminate start.qone8.com from your Internet browser/s.
The start.qone8.com website has none of the benefits of Google or other major search engines - the main purpose of this site is to monetize incoming web traffic. A similar deceptive business model is used by key-find.com, awesomehp.com, sweet-page.com, and many other semi-legitimate websites.
| Name | Start.qone8.com virus |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
| Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
| Detection Names | Fortinet (Malware), Seclookup (Malicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| 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), dubious websites, and similar channels. |
| 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. |
Potential risks
Redirects to these websites can lead to malware infections (when clicking on dubious sponsored Internet search results) and identity theft (the start.qone8.com website is known to track users' Internet browsing). To avoid installation of these browser hijackers, be attentive when downloading free software.
If your download is managed by a 'download client', opt-out of installation of advertised browser extensions by clicking the 'decline' button. When installing downloaded software, use the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' installation options, rather than 'Quick' or 'Typical' - this will reveal installation of any bundled adware.
If you feel that start.qone8.com was set as your homepage and default tab without your consent, use the removal guide provided to eliminate these redirect issues.
Deceptive free software installer used in qone8 browser hijacker distribution:
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is start.qone8.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove start.qone8.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove start.qone8.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove start.qone8.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove start.qone8.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
start.qone8.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 start.qone8.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
start.qone8.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 "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.start.qone8.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 "start.qone8.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 start.qone8.com virus, 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://start.qone8.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 start.qone8.com virus 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 start.qone8.com virus, 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 start.qone8.com website?
The purpose of forcing users to visit the start.qone8.com website is to generate revenue. Increased traffic can be monetized in various ways.
Is visiting start.qone8.com a threat to my privacy?
Yes, visiting start.qone8.com can pose a threat to your privacy. It may collect data, display unwanted ads, and redirect you to potentially malicious websites, compromising your personal information and security.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
A browser hijacker typically infiltrates browsers through unreliable downloads (e.g., free software downloaded via P2P networks, third-party app stores, or shady websites). It may also be installed through deceptive ads or pop-ups, and notifications from dubious sites.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove a browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and remove any browser-hijacking applications. Manual removal may not always fully resolve the issue, as multiple hijackers can be present and may reinstall each other. It may be required to remove all hijackers at once.
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