If you encounter various redirects to a web site called Start-xyz.com, other unreliable or dubious web-pages on Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Firefox and MS Edge then it means that you accidentally installed adware (also known as ‘ad-supported’ software) on your computer. Adware can cause issues for your personal computer. It can display intrusive ads on your browser so that your cannot stop them, redirect your internet browser to shady web-sites, and it can cause malicious websites to pop up on your internet browser. Adware might end up on your computer after you download and install free programs from a questionable source.
The worst is, adware may monetize its functionality by gathering sensitive info from your surfing sessions. This sensitive information, subsequently, can be easily used for marketing purposes. This puts your personal information at a security risk.
Threat Summary
Name | Start-xyz.com, “start-xyz.com/nlp/index.php” |
Type | adware, potentially unwanted program (PUP), popup advertisements, pop-ups, popup virus |
Symptoms |
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Removal | Start-xyz.com removal guide |
How does Adware get on your device
Adware usually gets on computers together with free applications . So, when you installing free applications, carefully read the disclaimers, select the Custom or Advanced setup mode to watch for additional applications that are being installed, because some of the apps are potentially unwanted applications, browser hijackers and adware.
How to remove Start-xyz.com popup advertisements (removal guide)
There are several steps to removing the adware software which redirects your web browser to the Start-xyz.com site, because it installs itself so deeply into Windows. You need to uninstall all suspicious and unknown applications, then get rid of malicious add-ons from the IE, Firefox, Microsoft Edge and Chrome and other web-browsers you’ve installed. Finally, you need to reset your internet browser settings to delete any changes the adware software has made, and then scan your computer with Zemana AntiMalware (ZAM), MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) or HitmanPro to ensure the adware is fully removed. It will take a while.
To remove Start-xyz.com, perform the steps below:
- Manual Start-xyz.com advertisements removal
- Automatic Removal of Start-xyz.com redirect
- Stop Start-xyz.com ads
Manual Start-xyz.com advertisements removal
Looking for a solution to delete Start-xyz.com redirect manually without installing any utilities? Then this section of the post is just for you. Below are some simple steps you can take. Performing these steps requires basic knowledge of web browser and Windows setup. If you doubt that you can follow them, it is better to use free tools listed below that can help you remove Start-xyz.com pop ups.
Uninstall questionable apps using Microsoft Windows Control Panel
One of the first things to attempt for removal of adware is to check your personal computer installed applications screen and look for undesired and suspicious programs. If there are any apps you do not recognize or are no longer using, you should remove them. If that doesn’t work, then you may need to run adware removal tool such as Zemana.
Press Windows button , then press Search . Type “Control panel”and press Enter. If you using Windows XP or Windows 7, then click “Start” and select “Control Panel”. It will show the Windows Control Panel as shown in the following example.
Further, press “Uninstall a program”
It will open a list of all applications installed on your PC. Scroll through the all list, and delete any suspicious and unknown apps.
Remove Start-xyz.com popup ads from Mozilla Firefox
The Firefox reset will remove redirects to the Start-xyz.com web-site, modified preferences, extensions and security settings. However, your saved passwords and bookmarks will not be changed, deleted or cleared.
First, start the Mozilla Firefox. Next, click the button in the form of three horizontal stripes (). It will display the drop-down menu. Next, press the Help button ().
In the Help menu click the “Troubleshooting Information”. In the upper-right corner of the “Troubleshooting Information” page press on “Refresh Firefox” button like the one below.
Confirm your action, press the “Refresh Firefox”.
Get rid of Start-xyz.com advertisements from Internet Explorer
If you find that IE browser settings like home page, search engine by default and newtab had been changed by adware that causes the intrusive Start-xyz.com pop up ads, then you may return your settings, via the reset web browser procedure.
First, start the IE. Next, click the button in the form of gear (). It will display the Tools drop-down menu, click the “Internet Options” like below.
In the “Internet Options” window click on the Advanced tab, then click the Reset button. The IE will open the “Reset Internet Explorer settings” window as displayed in the following example. Select the “Delete personal settings” check box, then press “Reset” button.
You will now need to restart your device for the changes to take effect.
Remove Start-xyz.com popups from Google Chrome
Use the Reset internet browser tool of the Google Chrome to reset all its settings such as startpage, search provider and newtab to original defaults. This is a very useful utility to use, in the case of internet browser redirects to annoying ad web-sites like Start-xyz.com.
- First, start the Google Chrome and press the Menu icon (icon in the form of three dots).
- It will open the Chrome main menu. Choose More Tools, then click Extensions.
- You will see the list of installed addons. If the list has the addon labeled with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following guidance: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy.
- Now open the Google Chrome menu once again, click the “Settings” menu.
- Next, click “Advanced” link, that located at the bottom of the Settings page.
- On the bottom of the “Advanced settings” page, click the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.
- The Chrome will show the reset settings prompt as shown on the screen above.
- Confirm the internet browser’s reset by clicking on the “Reset” button.
- To learn more, read the post How to reset Chrome settings to default.
Automatic Removal of Start-xyz.com redirect
In order to completely remove Start-xyz.com, you not only need to uninstall adware from your PC, but also remove all its components in your PC including Windows registry entries. We suggest to download and run free removal utilities to automatically free your computer of adware responsible for the Start-xyz.com advertisements.
How to get rid of Start-xyz.com redirect with Zemana Anti Malware (ZAM)
Zemana is a malicious software removal utility developed for Microsoft Windows. This utility will allow you remove Start-xyz.com redirect, various types of malware (including hijackers and PUPs) from your personal computer. It has simple and user friendly interface. While the Zemana Anti Malware (ZAM) does its job, your PC will run smoothly.
First, visit the following page, then click the ‘Download’ button in order to download the latest version of Zemana Anti-Malware (ZAM).
164112 downloads
Author: Zemana Ltd
Category: Security tools
Update: July 16, 2019
After downloading is done, close all software and windows on your PC. Double-click the install file named Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup. If the “User Account Control” dialog box pops up like the one below, click the “Yes” button.
It will open the “Setup wizard” that will help you install Zemana Anti Malware on your computer. Follow the prompts and do not make any changes to default settings.
Once setup is complete successfully, Zemana Anti Malware will automatically start and you can see its main screen as displayed on the screen below.
Now click the “Scan” button for scanning your personal computer for the adware software that causes the Start-xyz.com pop-up advertisements in your web-browser. This procedure can take quite a while, so please be patient. While the Zemana tool is checking, you may see how many objects it has identified as being infected by malware.
As the scanning ends, Zemana will display you the results. Review the report and then click “Next” button. The Zemana AntiMalware will get rid of adware related to the Start-xyz.com pop-ups and move the selected items to the Quarantine. When finished, you may be prompted to reboot the computer.
Delete Start-xyz.com pop-ups and malicious extensions with Hitman Pro
Hitman Pro is one of the most effective tools for uninstalling adware software, PUPs and other malware. It can locate hidden adware software in your computer and delete all harmful folders and files linked to adware software. HitmanPro will allow you to remove Start-xyz.com advertisements from your PC and IE, Firefox, Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome. We strongly recommend you to download this tool as the authors are working hard to make it better.
First, please go to the following link, then click the ‘Download’ button in order to download the latest version of Hitman Pro.
Once the download is done, open the file location and double-click the Hitman Pro icon. It will start the HitmanPro tool. If the User Account Control dialog box will ask you want to open the program, click Yes button to continue.
Next, press “Next” for checking your PC for the adware software which redirects your web-browser to the unwanted Start-xyz.com website. When a malware, adware or potentially unwanted applications are found, the count of the security threats will change accordingly.
When Hitman Pro has finished scanning your PC system, it will open the Scan Results as shown in the following example.
Review the scan results and then click “Next” button. It will open a prompt, click the “Activate free license” button. The Hitman Pro will remove adware that causes the Start-xyz.com ads in your browser and move the selected threats to the program’s quarantine. When disinfection is complete, the utility may ask you to reboot your computer.
How to get rid of Start-xyz.com with MalwareBytes
Remove Start-xyz.com pop-ups manually is difficult and often the adware software is not completely removed. Therefore, we suggest you to run the MalwareBytes which are fully clean your PC system. Moreover, this free program will help you to remove malicious software, potentially unwanted software, toolbars and browser hijackers that your computer can be infected too.
MalwareBytes can be downloaded from the following link. Save it to your Desktop so that you can access the file easily.
326462 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020
Once the download is complete, run it and follow the prompts. Once installed, the MalwareBytes Free will try to update itself and when this task is done, click the “Scan” button to look for adware which redirects your web-browser to the unwanted Start-xyz.com webpage. While the MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) is scanning, you may see how many objects it has identified either as being malware. Review the scan results and then press “Quarantine” button.
The MalwareBytes is a free program that you can use to get rid of all detected folders, files, services, registry entries and so on. To learn more about this malicious software removal utility, we advise you to read and follow the steps or the video guide below.
Stop Start-xyz.com ads
It’s also critical to protect your web-browsers from malicious web-sites and ads by using an ad-blocking application such as AdGuard. Security experts says that it will greatly reduce the risk of malicious software, and potentially save lots of money. Additionally, the AdGuard can also protect your privacy by blocking almost all trackers.
Visit the page linked below to download the latest version of AdGuard for Windows. Save it on your Microsoft Windows desktop.
26657 downloads
Version: 6.4
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: November 15, 2018
After downloading it, double-click the downloaded file to start it. The “Setup Wizard” window will show up on the computer screen as on the image below.
Follow the prompts. AdGuard will then be installed and an icon will be placed on your desktop. A window will show up asking you to confirm that you want to see a quick guide like below.
Click “Skip” button to close the window and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see an quick guidance which will assist you get to know AdGuard better.
Each time, when you start your PC system, AdGuard will start automatically and stop unwanted advertisements, block Start-xyz.com, as well as other malicious or misleading webpages. For an overview of all the features of the application, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the AdGuard icon, that is located on your desktop.
Finish words
Now your PC should be clean of the adware software related to the Start-xyz.com pop-ups. We suggest that you keep Zemana AntiMalware (ZAM) (to periodically scan your computer for new adwares and other malware) and AdGuard (to help you stop intrusive ads and harmful webpages). Moreover, to prevent any adware, please stay clear of unknown and third party software, make sure that your antivirus application, turn on the option to search for PUPs.
If you need more help with Start-xyz.com redirect related issues, go to here.