Completely Remove Mystartsearch.com Redirect Virus

Mystartsearch.com is a nasty redirect infection which attacks PC users’ browsers, once being infected, it will modify settings on the targeted browser to change its homepage to Mystartsearch.com redirect site. It usually attaches itself to SPAM emails, attachments, online chats, instant messages, pop-up ads, suspicious links, unknown websites, peer to peer programs and other unprotected networks. Mystartsearch.com takes advantage of convincing interface and user’s carelessness to trick users into utilizing its search service, the time innocent users use it to search for information, they will be redirected to unrelated results.

Such kind of browser virus focuses on controlling browser search and displaying advertisements via taking users to some specific sites. Not only popping up advertisements on the web pages that users are browsing, this redirect virus will also display a number of advertisements on the computer screen as well as some third-party programs such as game software and media player, in order to attract users to click on them and visit the specified websites. In most cases, those shopping websites may be phishing websites for collecting user’s privacy information and then help cyber criminals to steal their money. Many innocent users are attracted by commodity sales promotion, activity coupons, discounts on goods, bargains, etc. So, in some cases, those users would click on the pop-up ads and go for a visit.

Since the redirect virus enters the PC and make modifications on the browser settings, it may invite more and more cyber threats to the compromised machine. Once browser settings has been under the control of Mystartsearch.com redirect virus, loads of perilous extensions, plug- ins and add- on will be allowed to get installed on it which may severely damage the system. Moreover, the Mystartsearch.com will provide random web links to ignorant users, which are likely to be corrupted by cyber criminals. Its main aim is to steal your sensitive information by using keyloggers to track your cookies and browser history and then send the collected information to the third-party for illegal benefits. In addition, Mystartsearch.com is able to offer links which contains commercial contents.


Steps to Remove Mystartsearch.com Redirect Virus

Step 1: Set the default homepage back

For Internet Explorer:
Click on Browser Tools
Select Manage Add-ons on the tools window
Click Search Provider
Here you can see many kinds of search engine option as Bing and Google, select your favorite one to be a default homepage.
Choose Search Results and click on Remove icon to eliminate it
Click Tools, select Internet Options and then the General tab. Here you can option a website you like and save it.
c. Select ‘Search Results’ and click ‘Remove’ to remove it;

For Google Chrome:
Open Customize and control
Click on Settings
Select on Basic Options icon
Here you can reset your homepage (e.g.Google.com)
Once you choose a default homepage, click on Manage Search Engines and then click Google to be your default search engine.
Remove it from the browser by clicking Search Result and then the X’ mark

For Mozilla Firefox:
Click Manage Search Engine
Select Search Results and then click Remove option, click OK
Open Tools, under the General tab, set Google.com as default homepage

Step 2: Locate related files of Mystartsearch.com and remove them from the computer
%AllUsersProfile%
%AllUsersProfile%\Programs\{random letters}\
%AllUsersProfile%\Application Data\~r
%AllUsersProfile%\Application Data\~dll

Step 3: Remove cookies on all browsers
Internet Explorer:
Click options on the browser and then choose Internet Options
Open General tab, click Delete Browsing History to remove all related cookies
Select cookies and click Delete

Firefox:
Click option
Select Privacy and then click on Remove Individual Cookies icon
Delete relevant cookies list on the box

Google Chrome:
Click option
Open Under the Bonnet tab
Select Privacy and then click Clear browsing data
Delete all cookies

Step 4: Remove malicious registry entries
Open Registry Editor on the start menu
Type in Regedit and click OK
Remove all the following registry entries
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings “CertificateRevocation” = ‘1’
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Attachments “SaveZoneInformation” = ‘0’

Conclusion

Generally, Mystartsearch.com redirect virus breaks into the targeted computers by coming bundled with a junk email attachment, pretending itself to be a legitimate file (such as audio file, image file, or txt file) and cheating users into click on the attachment. In some cases, this redirect virus would also come together with a “reputable” application, and automatically get itself installed on the computers. Many people don’t think it is a serious issue and choose to ignore it, leading to many troublesome and annoying troubles in the further.

The most obvious symptoms of the redirect virus infection should be the change of default homepage and the appearance of many pop-up ads as well as unknown toolbars. That is why it is only for advanced and experienced PC users to deal with, owing to the fact that any little mistake may result in irreparable system damage. After, reset the default settings back and give the infected computer more protection. When they download something from the Internet, run the antivirus program to scan it before opening it in case some malware come along with the free downloads.

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