Search-startpage.com

Do not be mistaken, Search-startpage.com is NOT a reliable search provider. Although it might be easy to mistake this piece of software for a genuine search provider, a redirector should never be called a search provider. If you have entered keywords into the search dialog box represented by this hijacker, you already know that instead of showing search results as a normal search engine, it reroutes you to Google Search. Of course, results corresponding to your search queries are displayed, but that does not mean that it is trustworthy. At the end of the day, even if you are fine with the results shown, would it not be more convenient to operate directly from google.com, rather than a suspicious mediator? This is not the main reason to remove Search-startpage.com, and you need to keep reading.

What do you know about Search-startpage.com? If you have analyzed the Privacy Policy statement – which, surprisingly, is represented via Google Drive – you know that this hijacker was created by a company called “Bontio Inc.” The Privacy Policy does not provide us with any shocking details. Just like most virtual services, it is supported by third parties, whose privacy policies must be reviewed as well. The information regarding the collection of personal data is not surprising either. It is stated that information about you could be recorded if you shared it yourself, which is why you have to be cautious about how and what kind of data you reveal. Have you signed up for any services linked to Search-startpage.com? If you have, it is possible that this information is now in possession of unknown parties.

According to our research, Search-startpage.com could display advertisements, and that might be a reason to remove the hijacker. If the ads are mixed in with regular search results shown via Google Search, you might interact with them unknowingly. Well, how dangerous can it be to interact with ads? You certainly do not want to underestimate advertisements because the ones created by malicious parties could lead you to malicious websites and expose you to virtual scams. Even worse, they could act in drive-by download attacks to infiltrate malware. In case you have already interacted with strange ads, you need to think if you have put yourself at any risk. For example, if you remember disclosing personal data, you should be cautious about scams. If you have downloaded suspicious software, check if it requires removal.

Hopefully, you have not attracted any other infections by interacting with Search-startpage.com, but that does not mean that your operating system is clean. If the hijacker has taken over your browsers, it is likely that it did that along with other programs. Considering that it is not classified as a trustworthy piece of software, it is silly to think that all programs packaged along with it will be harmless. Sure, reliable software could be spread along with the hijacker, but dangerous infections could travel along with it as well. Do not rely on the looks of the programs that are installed or the information that was used to present them. Instead, download a malware scanner to inspect your operating system and identify which programs require removal. Of course, you have to make sure that you use a reliable malware scanner for best results.

Do you know how to reset your browsers? If you do not, you will find the guide below very helpful. If you know how to do that, you will have no trouble deleting Search-startpage.com from your browsers. Note that when you reset the browser, you also get rid of data trackers, which is very important. Also, the homepage and default search settings are reset as well. We include the steps that will help you choose the preferred tools, but if you are having trouble doing that, you can post a comment below asking for help. Once you get rid of the hijacker, we advise employing a legitimate anti-malware tool to fully clean your operating system and patch all security vulnerabilities that could let malicious infections in.

Search-startpage.com Removal

Mozilla Firefox:

1. Open the browser and tap keys Alt+T.
2. Select Internet options and click the Advanced tab.
3. Click Reset and select Delete personal settings.
4. Click Reset again and restart the browser.
5. Tap Alt+T keys again and select Internet options.
6. This time, click the General tab.
7. Enter the desired URL under Home Page and click OK.
8. Tap Alt+T and select Manage Add-ons.
9. Add the desired provider and click Set as default.
10. Click Close and restart the browser.

Google Chrome:

1. Open the browser, tap Alt+F, and choose Settings.
2. Move to the bottom and click Show advanced settings.
3. Scroll down, click Reset settings, and then click Reset again.
4. Restart the browser, tap Alt+F, and choose Settings again.
5. Under On Startup click Open a specific page or set of pages.
6. Click Set pages and enter the preferred URL. Click OK.
7. Under Search click Manage search engines.
8. Add the preferred provider and click Make default.
9. Click Done and restart the browser.

Internet Explorer:

1. Open the browser and tap Alt+H to access Help.
2. Select Troubleshooting Information.
3. Click Refresh Firefox and click the same option again.
4. Restart the browser, tap Alt+T, and choose Options.
5. Move to the menu on the left and click General.
6. Find the Home Page section and enter the desired URL.
7. In the menu on the left click Search.
8. Select the desired search provider and then restart the browser.