Search.startnow.com – Analysis Report
The most popular Security Research companies have identified Search.startnow.com as a browser hijacker because during research they analyzed the source code and behavior of this browser hijacker and they found that it is programmed to hijack browsers like Chrome/Firefox/Safari and make various changes without victim’s knowledge. After completion of infiltration, usually it changes browser’s default search engine with Search.startnow.com, alters Homepage and NewTab links, disables browser’s security settings. Afterwards, it redirects your default browser to various web pages like Phishing sites/ Online Shopping sites/ Dark web forums. It shows countless advertising banners, coupons, pop ups, ad-boxes on each web pages that you open on your browser. Though, being a nasty browser hijacker it installs malicious extensions, add on or toolbars to monitor your activities and purloin your credential data.
Search.startnow.com is owned by Moniker Privacy Services since 1998-09-29. it is being hosted from Fort Lauderdale (United States) through three different servers:
-Name Server: ns1.zoneedit.com
-Name Server: ns2.zoneedit.com
-Name Server: ns3.zoneedit.com
At first, it may seem like a legitimate and useful search provider but at the end of the day it makes you realize that it is not what you thought. Whenever you search, it redirects your browser to a customized yahoo SERP. Where you see very inappropriate results. In other word, it is designed to list sponsored ads and promotion links on the top and hide the relevant results. Moreover, it connects to host server using your PC and Internet connection to receive scheduled update and upload collected confidential information.
How does Search.startnow.com fall on your Windows?
As of now, you must know that attackers use Search.startnow.com to infect your PC for their personal benefits. If you knew that how does the hijacker jump on your computer, you must haven’t let it happen, right? Hence, are explaining the various tactics that Attackers use to target your PC:
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They might send you Spam emails contains payload of the hijacker. Email may look suspicious, sent by a spamming tool as unknown sender. You open up the email and download/execute attachment in order to get rid of suspense. That is how your PC gets penetrated with Search.startnow.com.
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Freeware/Cracked programs attract those PC users who does not want to pay off for installing software or games. So, you may download freeware off of the non-official store/website. Hence, we take it as our responsibility to inform you that most of all popular freeware programs come bundled up with additional programs like MPC Cleaner, MaxOnClick.com, Search.startnow.com etc. Once you install any of them, you PC gets injected with browser hijacker.
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Phishing Websites promotes Cyberpunks’ malicious software or other packages on their web pages. Where you may see fabricated security alerts telling you that your system is compromised, has 203 Viruses. Download and install free System Optimizer or Cleaner to remove them. If you do so, it means you are allowing browser hijacker to infiltrate your PC.
Though, to protect your PC against any kind of infection you have keep genuine Antivirus Software installed on your PC and home computers as well. You should always check for latest update of operating system, drivers and other software. If update is available then install them without wasting time. And also remember how does it fall on your computers? and do not repeat the mistakes again.
However, we take it as our duty to give you proper suggestion to keep your PC safe. Remove Search.startnow.com from your infected PC as soon as possible. Follow the quick and safe removal guide given below.
>>Free Download Search.startnow.com Scanner<<
How to Manually Remove Search.startnow.com From Compromised PC ?
Uninstall Search.startnow.com and Suspicious Application From Control Panel
Step 1. Right Click on the Start button and select Control Panel option.
Step 2. Here get Uninstall a Program Option under the Programs.
Step 3. Now you can see all installed and recently added applications at a single place and you can easily remove any unwanted or unknown program from here. In this regard you only need to choose the specific application and click on Uninstall option.
Note:- Sometimes it happens that removal of Search.startnow.com does not work in expected way, but you need not to worry, you can also take a chance for the same from Windows registry. To get this task done, please see the below given steps.
Complete Search.startnow.com Removal From Windows Registry
Step 1. In order to do so you are advised to do the operation in safe mode and for that you have to restart the PC and Keep F8 key for few second. You can do the same with different versions of Windows to successfully carry out Search.startnow.com removal process in safe mode.
Step 2. Now you should select Safe Mode option from several one.
Step 3. After that it is required to press Windows + R key simultaneously.
Step 4. Here you should type “regedit” in Run text box and then press OK button.
Step 5. In this step you are advised to press CTRL+F in order to find malicious entries.
Step 6. At last you only have all the unknown entries created by Search.startnow.com hijacker and you have to delete all unwanted entries quickly.
Easy Search.startnow.com Removal from Different Web browsers
Malware Removal From Mozilla Firefox
Step 1. Launch Mozilla Firefox and go to “Options“
Step 2. In this window If your homepage is set as Search.startnow.com then remove it and press OK.
Step 3. Now you should select “Restore To Default” option to make your Firefox homepage as default. After that click on OK button.
Step 4. In the next window you have again press OK button.
Experts Recommendation:- Security analyst suggest to clear browsing history after doing such activity on the browser and for that steps are given below, have a look:-
Step 1. From the Main Menu you have to choose “History” option at the place of “Options” that you have picked earlier.
Step 2. Now Click Clear Recent History option from this window.
Step 3. Here you should select “Everything” from Time range to clear option.
Step 4. Now you can tick all check boxes and press Clear Now button to get this task completed. Finally restart the PC.
Remove Search.startnow.com From Google Chrome Conveniently
Step 1. Launch the Google Chrome browser and pick Menu option and then Settings from the top right corner on the browser.
Step 2. From the On Startup section, you need to pick Set Pages option.
Step 3. Here if you find Search.startnow.com as a startup page then remove it by pressing cross (X) button and then click on OK.
Step 4. Now you need to choose Change option in the Appearance section and again do the same thing as done in previous step.
Know How To Clean History on Google Chrome
Step 1. After clicking on Setting option from the Menu, you will see History option in the left panel of the screen.
Step 2. Now you should press Clear Browsing Data and also select time as a “beginning of time“. Here you also need to choose options that want to get.
Step 3. Finally hit the Clear Browsing data.
Solution To Remove Unknown ToolBar From Browsers
If you want to delete unknown toolbar created by Search.startnow.com then you should go through the below given steps that can make your task easier.
For Chrome:-
Go to Menu option >> Tools >> Extensions >> Now choose the unwanted toolbar and click Trashcan Icon and then restart the browser.
For Internet Explorer:-
Get the Gear icon >> Manage add-ons >> “Toolbars and Extensions” from left menu >> now select required toolbar and hot Disable button.
Mozilla Firefox:-
Find the Menu button at top right corner >> Add-ons >> “Extensions” >> here you need to find unwanted toolbar and click Remove button to delete it.
Safari:-
Open Safari browser and select Menu >> Preferences >> “Extensions” >> now choose toolbar to remove and finally press Uninstall Button. At last restart the browser to make change in effect.
Still if you are having trouble in resolving issues regarding your malware and don’t know how to fix it, then you can submit your questions to us and we will feel happy to resolve your issues.
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