Tutorial: How to Delete Search.starttab.co From Contaminated Browsers (Chrome, Firefox, IE)

Judging Search.starttab.co

 

Search.starttab.co, also known as Start Tab (Starttab browser extension), is a browser hijacker. The site is categorized as a deceptive domain as well. Its developers promote it as a legitimate search engine that supposedly enhance your search experience. However, the fake search engine is only focused on generating online marketing revenue for the threat actors. The prime concept behind its release is to display commercial and promotional ads and gain fraud clicks. We deeply observed activities of Search.starttab.co and found some interesting facts. First, the browser hijacker is active since December 2016 and its user interface was customized on January 5th of 2017. At the time of writing, the site was being hosted on 23.21.113.196 from Virginia, Ashburn (US).

remove Search.starttab.co

Next, you should know that Search.starttab.co is mostly advertised as a customized and improved newtab replacement for Firefox, Chrome and Internet Explorer. Indeed, it is developed and promoted by Polarity Technologies Ltd. The company has very low reputation because it always released ad-supported application. Apps like Start Tab takes control over your web browsers and displays countless advertising contents. Remember that Quick Search and Sonic PDF converter both are similar to this fake search engine extension. While reading its Terms of use, we found that it collects your confidential information in the name of providing improved search results but use it for displaying relevant ads only. Searches produced by it, can not be trusted at all. Thus, when you first spot the deceptive search engine, try removing it from your system immediately.

Few Malicious Activities of Search.starttab.co

  • After infiltrating your computer along with bundled freeware, it replaces your default search engine with Search.starttab.co and starts redirecting your browsers.
  • Injects hundreds of advertising pop ups and banners which might cover up your PC screen and even more you won't be able to close them completely.
  • Observes your online browsing activities and collects your credentials without your awareness and share it with interested third parties

Therefore, we recommend you to go through Custom/Advanced while installing freeware and block optional software or recommended apps installation. You can also keep your Antivirus up-to-date to avoid such browser hijacker attacks. Now, you should remove Search.starttab.co using following instruction:

>>Free Download Search.starttab.co Scanner<<

 

rmv-notice

 

Manual Steps to Remove Search.starttab.co From Your Hijacked Browser

Simple Steps To Remove Infection From Your Browser

Set Up or Changes Your Default Search Engine Provider

For Internet Explorer :

1. Launch Internet explorer and click on the Gear icon then to Manage Add-ons.

IE Manage Add-ons

2. Now click on Search Provider tab followed by Find more search providers…

IE Search Providers

3. Now look for your preferred search engine provider for instance Google Search engine.

IE Find More Search Providers

4. Further you need to click on Add to Internet Explorer option appeared on the page. After then tick out the Make this my default search engine provider appeared on the Add Search Provider window and then click on Add button.

IE Add Search Provider

5. Restart Internet explorer to apply the new changes.

For Mozilla :

1. Launch Mozilla Firefox and go for the Settings icon (☰) followed by Options from the drop down menu.

Mozilla Settings Options

2. Now you have to tap on Search tab there. And, under Default Search Engine you can choose your desirable search engine provider from the drop down menu and remove Search.starttab.co related search providers.

Mozilla Search tab

3. If you want to add another search option into Mozilla Firefox then you can do it by going through Add more search engines… option. It will take you to the Firefox official Add-ons page from where you can choose and install search engine add-ons from their.

Mozilla Add more search engine

4. Once installed you can go back to Search tab and choose your favorite search provider as a default.

For Chrome :

1. Open Chrome and tap on Menu icon (☰) followed by Settings.

Chrome settings

2. Now under Search option you can choose desirable Search engine providers from drop down menu.

Chrome Search option

3. If you want to use another search engine option then you can click on Manage search engines… which opens current list of search engines and other as well. To choose you have to take your cursor on it and then select Make default button appears there followed by Done to close the window.

Chrome other search engine option

Reset Browser Settings to Completely Remove Search.starttab.co

For Google Chrome :

1. Click on Menu icon (☰) followed by Settings option from the drop down menu.

Chrome settings

2. Now tap Reset settings button.

Reset chrome 1

3. Finally select Reset button again on the dialog box appeared for confirmation.

Reset Chrome 2

For Mozilla Firefox :

1. Click on Settings icon (☰) and then to Open Help Menu option followed by Troubleshooting Information from drop down menu.

Reset Mozilla Firefox 1

2. Now Click on Reset Firefox… on the upper right corner of about:support page and again to Reset Firefox button to confirm the resetting of Mozilla Firefox to delete Search.starttab.co completely.

Reset Mozilla Firefox 2

Reset Internet Explorer :

1. Click on Settings Gear icon and then to Internet options.

Reset IE 1

2. Now tap Advanced tab followed by Reset button. Then tick out the Delete personal settings option on the appeared dialog box and further press Reset button to clean Search.starttab.co related data completely.

IE Reset 2

3. Once Reset completed click on Close button and restart Internet explorer to apply the changes.

Reset Safari :

1. Click on Edit followed by Reset Safari… from the drop down menu on Safari.

Reset Safari 1

2. Now ensure that all of the options are ticked out in the appeared dialog box and click on Reset button.

Reset Safari 2

Uninstall Search.starttab.co and other Suspicious Programs From Control Panel

1. Click on Start menu followed by Control Panel. Then click on Uninstall a program below Programs option.

Control panel Win 7 Vista

2. Further find and Uninstall Search.starttab.co and any other unwanted programs from the Control panel.

Programs and Features

Remove Unwanted Toolbars and Extensions Related With Search.starttab.co

For Chrome :

1. Tap on Menu (☰) button, hover on tools and then tap on Extension option.

chrome extension 1

2. Now click on Trash icon next to the Search.starttab.co related suspicious extensions to remove it.

chrome-extensions 2

For Mozilla Firefox :

1. Click on Menu (☰) button followed by Add-ons.

Mozilla Addon 1

2. Now select the Extensions or Appearance tab in Add-ons Manager window. Then click on Disable button to remove Search.starttab.co related extensions.

Mozilla Addon 2

For Internet Explorer :

1. Click on Settings Gear icon and then to Manage add-ons.

IE Extension 1

2. Further tap on Toolbars and Extensions panel and then Disable button to remove Search.starttab.co related extensions.

IE Extension 2

From Safari :

1. Click on Gear Settings icon followed by Preferences…

Safari extension 1

2. Now tap on Extensions panel and then click on Uninstall button to remove Search.starttab.co related extensions.

Safari extension 2

From Opera :

1. Click on Opera icon then hover to Extensions and click Extensions manager.

Opera Extension 1

2. Now click on X button next to unwanted extensions to remove it.

Opera Extension 2

Delete Cookies to Clean Up Search.starttab.co Related Data From Different Browsers

Chrome : Click on Menu (☰) → Settings → Show advanced Settings → Clear browsing data.

Clear cookies chrome

Firefox : Tap on Settings (☰) →History →Clear Reset History → check Cookies → Clear Now.

Clear cookies mozilla

Internet Explorer : Click on Tools → Internet options → General tab → Check Cookies and Website data → Delete.

clear cookies Internet explorer

Safari : Click on Settings Gear icon →Preferences → Privacy tab → Remove All Website Data…→ Remove Now button.

safary privacy remove all website data

Manage Security and Privacy Settings in Google Chrome

1. Click on Menu (☰) button followed by Settings.

Chrome settings

2. Tap on Show advanced settings.

Chrome Privacy section

  • Phishing and malware protection : It is enables by default in privacy section. Warns users if detected any suspicious site having phishing or malware threats.
  • SSL certificates and settings : Tap on Manage certificates under HTTPS/SSL section to manage SSL certificates and settings.
  • Web Content settings : Go to Content settings in Privacy section to manage plug-ins, cookies, images, location sharing and JavaScript.

chrome-content settings

3. Now tap close button when done.

Click Here to Start Free Scan Now English

If you are still having issues in the removal of Search.starttab.co from your compromised system then you can feel free to talk to our experts.

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