Startpage

[Vanathi]

has hijacked my browser.  As of this morning.  Yesterday I was using duckduckgo for my search engine.  This morning it's been taken over by Startpage.  I cannot find ANY way to uninstall it.  It's not on Chrome, Firefox, or Edge only the ccleaner browser.  I have not installed anything in the last month.  So far I've had to quit using the ccleaner browser.  Anyone know how to get rid of Startpage?  Doesn't make me wanna renew my ccleaner subscrption that's due.  Not after an entire morning trying to fix this.

Thank you :)

[nukecad]

It sounds that you have got a redirect/hijack from somewhere. (Probably too late now to work out just how/where from)

See if this helps get rid of it: https://www.techsupportall.com/how-to-remove-search-startpage-com-homepage-removal-help/

I can't vouch for their automatic tool, I don't know it, - but the manual removal instructions look comprehensive.

(CCleaner Browser is Chromium based, so the removal from Chrome is probably what you want).

[JohnH]

I have this problem too!

can any one confirm that the automated fixes really are safe...and that they work?  I am running CCleaner Browser. Thanks

[nukecad]

7 hours ago, JohnH said:

I have this problem too!

can any one confirm that the automated fixes really are safe...and that they work?  I am running CCleaner Browser. Thanks

I cannot vouch for the automated fix in the link that I gave above, I have never had to try it.

However as this Startpage hijack does now appear to be a growing problem I do advise these steps - which I can vouch for:

I'd try first using AdwCleaner, it's free from Malwarebytes and can remove such browser hijacks.
https://www.malwarebytes.com/adwcleaner

If ADW does't clear it for you then I'd step it up the the Free (or paid) version of Malwarebytes itself and run a threat scan with that.
A scan with Malwarebytes Free will not interfere with your usual antivirus.
(If you want to run Malwarbytes Pro  in real time alongside another AV that can also be done but may need some settings changes).
https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download

Note that the two can find different things, so you may want to run both ADW and a Malwarebytes Threat scan.
(I run a Malwarebytes scan at least weekly and ADW about once a month, as part of my regular routine).

If that still doesn't clear it from your machine then you can get free expert one-to-one help for malware removal.
There are various web forums that offer the service, it's generally the same experts giving the help.
Only use one at once, and follow their instructions carefully. If in doubt about any particular step the ask for clarification.
As I have been giving Malwarebytes above I'll give the link to the malware removal help section on their forum first:
https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/9573-im-infected-what-do-i-do-now/

You will find similar help sections at:
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/f/22/virus-trojan-spyware-and-malware-removal-help/
http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/forum/37-virus-spyware-malware-removal/
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=53253.0

If you want/neeed to access their help then which one you choose to use is up to you.
Again - Only use one help/removal service at once, trying to use 2 at once will interfere one with the other.

 

 

[KevinZ]

I just went through trying to get rid of this thinking it was hijacked as well....BUT... CCleaner browser has upgraded to Startpage as the default search engine. If I can get a screen capture I will edit this post and insert the image.

My workaround is to open my home page and listed my preference in the default search engine. Startpage still will be used in the new tab and address bar search despite having a different one listed in settings.

Hope this sheds light on the subject.

 

[nukecad]

14 hours ago, KevinZ said:

 I just went through trying to get rid of this thinking it was hijacked as well....BUT... CCleaner browser has upgraded to Startpage as the default search engine.

That's what browser hijackers do.

Do you have anything that makes you believe that the cause is a CCleaner Browser update rather than a hijack?
(We'll ask to double check, but I very much doubt that this has been done as part of an update. For one thing if it had been then I'd expect to see a lot more shouting here).

[KevinZ]

Unless Startpage is that good, My CCleaner browser shows a pending update to restart CCleaner browser. These are hard to find. I am sending information based on my experience so that my errors can be shared with others to expose this hijacker. None of the system checks have found any errors and until a good fix is found, I will stand by and not confuse the issue and wait for a repair. These hijackers make it hard to share information. Sorry for any confusion.

[KevinZ]

Here is one screenshot showing where it is, unable to edit from settings page under search engine:

[KevinZ]

Default page

[hazelnut]

Just installed CC browser to have a look. This is what I see below. I did not install it and select to be my default browser.

I also HATE the way it has hijacked all my  bookmarks from my default browser. Very very naughty.

 

[hazelnut]

...and another screenshot

 

[KevinZ]

Her was my fix!!!!

Made new Duck Duck Go search, made it default and deleted bad one with Startpage in it.

[hazelnut]

Glad you are sorted now Kevin 

[KevinZ]

Thank You... Most sincere apologies for even thinking "Startpage" was part of a update. This was a very stelth invasion. I just wish a malware detection or even CCleaner could find how they slipped in to the "URL with %s in place of query"  field.

[MEBH]

Thank you, KevinZ, for posting this fix. Using the Edit search engine fix info you posted it worked perfectly for me once I restarted my computer. Such a relief as StartPage was making me crazy. Too many people around making too much mischief!

Edited February 29 by MEBH