What is START.xyz?
According to experienced security experts, START.xyz is a potentially unwanted program, browser extension that belongs to the family of browser hijackers. Browser hijackers are designed to take over the internet browser and control user’s surfing preferences. Browser hijackers can collect user information such as user browsing habits as well as browsing history and sell this information to third parties for marketing purposes. It commonly aims at Chrome web-browser, but it’s possible that it can hijack other browsers too. Browser hijackers can sneak into computers unnoticed due to the fact that it’s actively being promoted in freeware.
START.xyz is designed to take over the internet browser and control user’s surfing preferences:
QUICK LINKS
START.xyz in detail
Most often, hijackers promote fake search engines by setting their address as the default search provider. In this case, the hijacker installs crypsearch.com as a search provider. This means that users whose web-browser is affected with the hijacker are forced to visit crypsearch.com each time they search in the Internet, open a new window or tab. This may seem harmless, but you should still be very careful as it may display intrusive and harmful ads designed to trick you into buying some questionable programs or products, provide search results that may redirect your browser to some deceptive, misleading or malicious pages. We recommend that you only use a trusted search engine such as Google, Yahoo or Bing.
START.xyz can collect your Internet surfing activity by saving IP addresses, web browser version and type, Internet Service Provider (ISP), cookie information, webpages visited and URLs visited. Such kind of behavior can lead to serious security problems or privacy info theft. This is another reason why the browser hijacker should be removed as quickly as possible.
We advise you remove START.xyz from Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and MS Edge as quickly as possible. This will also prevent the browser hijacker from tracking your online activities. A full START.xyz removal can be easily carried out using manual or automatic method listed below.
How can a browser hijacker get on your computer
Browser hijackers and PUPs such as START.xyz can get installed to your internet browser or computer when you visit a web-site and click an Install button, or when you download and run a dubious program, or when you install free software that includes a potentially unwanted program (PUP). Be very attentive when installing any apps and make sure you deselect any options for optional programs that you do not want.
Examples of scam pages that are designed to trick users into installing browser hijackers:
Threat Summary
Name | START.xyz, “START.xyz redirect” |
Type | browser hijacker, home page hijacker, PUP, search provider hijacker, redirect virus |
Related websites | crypsearch.com |
Affected Browser Settings | home page, newtab page URL, search provider |
Distribution | dubious popup ads, freeware installers, fake update tools |
Symptoms | Popups and newtabs are loaded without your request. Your browser is redirected to web pages you did not want. Your computer starts automatically installing unexpected programs. An unexpected web-browser toolbar appears in your web-browser. Your browser home page has changed without your permission. |
Removal | START.xyz removal guide |
Examples of Browser hijackers
More examples of browser hijackers are below:
How to remove START.xyz from Windows 11 (10, 8, 7, XP)
START.xyz is a browser hijacker that you may find difficult to remove from your PC. Luckily, you have found an effective removal guide in this post. Both manual and automatic removal method will be presented below, and you can simply choose the one that works best for you. If you have any questions or need help, write a comment below. Some steps will require you to restart your device or exit this web page. So, read this guide carefully and then bookmark this page or open it on your smartphone for future reference.
To remove START.xyz, perform the steps below:
- Uninstall START.xyz associated software
- Remove START.xyz hijacker from web-browsers
- Automatic Removal of START.xyz
- How to stop START.xyz redirect
Read this section to know how to manually remove the START.xyz hijacker. Even if the step-by-step guide does not work for you, there are several free removers below which can easily handle such hijackers.
Uninstall START.xyz associated software
You can manually get rid of nonaggressive hijacker by removing the program that it came with or removing the browser hijacker itself using ‘Add/Remove programs’ or ‘Uninstall a program’ option in Microsoft Windows Control Panel.
Windows 7 | Windows 8 |
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Windows 10 | Mac OS |
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Remove START.xyz hijacker from web-browsers
If you are still seeing START.xyz that won’t go away, you might have malicious addons installed on your web browser. Check your web browser for unwanted add-ons using the steps below.
Google Chrome | Mozilla Firefox |
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You can also try to remove START.xyz hijacker by reset Chrome settings. |
If you are still experiencing issues with START.xyz removal, you need to reset Mozilla Firefox browser. |
Internet Explorer | Safari |
Another method to get rid of START.xyz hijacker from Internet Explorer is reset Internet Explorer settings. |
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Automatic Removal of START.xyz
The above manual guide is tedious to follow and may not always help you remove the START.xyz hijacker easily. Here I will tell you an automatic solution to completely get rid of this browser hijacker from your browser. Zemana, MalwareBytes Anti-Malware, and Hitman Pro are anti-malware tools that can detect and remove all types of malware, including browser hijackers.
How to remove START.xyz with MalwareBytes Anti-Malware
You can automatically get rid of the browser hijacker with MalwareBytes Anti-Malware. We recommend this free malware removal tool because it can easily remove hijackers, adware, potentially unwanted programs and toolbars with all their components such as files, folders and registry entries.
- Download MalwareBytes Anti-Malware by clicking on the link below. Save it on your Windows desktop.
Malwarebytes Anti-malware
326461 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020
- Once the download is done, close all applications and windows on your personal computer. Open a folder in which you saved it. Double-click on the icon that’s named MBsetup.
- Choose “Personal computer” option and press Install button. Follow the prompts.
- Once installation is finished, press the “Scan” button to perform a system scan for the START.xyz hijacker. A scan can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the number of files on your computer and the speed of your PC. While the MalwareBytes AntiMalware utility is scanning, you can see number of objects it has identified as being infected by malicious software.
- When MalwareBytes is finished scanning your personal computer, it will produce a list of unwanted software and hijackers. Review the report and then press “Quarantine”. After the process is done, you can be prompted to reboot your computer.
The following video demonstrates how to remove hijackers, adware and other malware with MalwareBytes.
How to delete START.xyz with Zemana
Zemana Anti-Malware is highly recommended because it can detect security threats such as hijackers and adware that most “classic” anti-malware applications cannot detect. Moreover, if you have any problems with START.xyz hijacker removal that cannot be fixed by this utility automatically, Zemana provides 24/7 online help from highly trained support staff.
Now you can install and use Zemana AntiMalware to get rid of START.xyz hijacker from your internet browser by following the steps below:
Visit the following page to download Zemana setup file called Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup on your computer. Save it on your Windows desktop or in any other place.
164109 downloads
Author: Zemana Ltd
Category: Security tools
Update: July 16, 2019
Start the installation package after it has been downloaded successfully and then follow the prompts to set up this tool on your computer.
During installation you can change some settings, but we suggest you do not make any changes to default settings.
When setup is complete, this malicious software removal tool will automatically start and update itself. You will see its main window as displayed in the following example.
Now click the “Scan” button for scanning your computer for the START.xyz hijacker. While Zemana AntiMalware is scanning, you can see number of objects it has identified either as being malware.
Once Zemana AntiMalware has completed scanning your PC, it will open the Scan Results. Next, you need to click “Next” button.
The Zemana AntiMalware will start to remove START.xyz hijacker. After that process is complete, you can be prompted to restart your computer to make the change take effect.
Remove START.xyz hijacker and malicious extensions with Hitman Pro
Hitman Pro is one of the most useful tools for deleting hijackers, adware software, potentially unwanted programs and other malware. It can scan for hidden malware in your device and delete all malicious folders and files linked to hijacker. Hitman Pro will allow you to get rid of START.xyz from your personal computer and Firefox, Chrome, IE and Edge. We strongly advise you to download this utility as the creators are working hard to make it better.
Installing the Hitman Pro is simple. First you’ll need to download Hitman Pro by clicking on the link below.
Download and use Hitman Pro on your computer. Once started, press “Next” button for scanning your personal computer for the START.xyz hijacker. Depending on your computer, the scan can take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour. While the Hitman Pro is scanning, you can see count of objects it has identified either as being malware..
When HitmanPro has completed scanning your computer, HitmanPro will show a list of all threats found by the scan.
You may remove threats (move to Quarantine) by simply press Next button.
It will display a prompt, press the “Activate free license” button to start the free 30 days trial to remove all malware found.
How to stop START.xyz redirect
We suggest to install an adblocker program which can block scam sites and malicious browser redirects. The ad blocker utility such as AdGuard is a program which basically removes advertising from the Internet and stops access to malicious websites. Moreover, security experts says that using ad-blocking apps is necessary to stay safe when surfing the World Wide Web.
Visit the page linked below to download the latest version of AdGuard for MS Windows. Save it to your Desktop so that you can access the file easily.
26657 downloads
Version: 6.4
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: November 15, 2018
After downloading it, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” screen as shown on the image below.
Follow the prompts. After the installation is finished, you will see a window as displayed in the following example.
You can click “Skip” to close the setup program and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” button to see an quick tutorial that will assist you get to know AdGuard better.
In most cases, the default settings are enough and you don’t need to change anything. Each time, when you start your computer, AdGuard will launch automatically and stop unwanted ads, block malicious and misleading websites. For an overview of all the features of the program, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the AdGuard icon, which can be found on your desktop.
Finish words
Once you have removed the hijacker using the few simple steps, MS Edge, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer will no longer show the START.xyz page on startup. Unfortunately, if the few simple steps does not help you, then you have caught a new hijacker, and then the best way – ask for help.
Please create a new question by using the “Ask Question” button in the Questions and Answers. Try to give us some details about your problems, so we can try to help you more accurately. Wait for one of our trained “Security Team” or Site Administrator to provide you with knowledgeable assistance tailored to your problem with the START.xyz hijacker.