How do I completely remove startsearcher

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  1. Posts : 9
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
       #1

    How do I completely remove startsearcher


    Someone has put this browser hijacker on my computer and it's not showing up in add/remove programs. Also, my McAfee Pro antivirus doesn't detect it. Any suggestions?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 431
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64 SP1
       #2

    The standard starting point would be to download, update and run a full scan with Malwarebytes and HitMan Pro. I would run MBAM first, followed by HMP.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       #3

    Here is a great program offered by Microsoft.

    https://connect.microsoft.com/systemsweeper
    I like Dbone also recommend Malware Anti Malware.

    http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 8,608
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit SP1
       #4

    Did you download a 'free' facebook theme? See this bit of info Remove Startsearcher.com - PC HelpSoft
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 9
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    No one in my house uses facebook. I noticed start search in the programs list and I notice in my searches using all of my web browsers. I've removed the program but it's affecting my browsers. McAfee didn't pick up so I'm going to try malware bytes and hmp when I get home. If this doesn't work I'll try system restore or uninstalling/reinstalling the browsers I guess.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 8,608
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit SP1
       #6

    Let's flush the DNS cache and restore MS's Hosts file ....

    Copy and paste these lines in Note pad.

    @Echo on
    pushd\windows\system32\drivers\etc
    attrib -h -s -r hosts
    echo 127.0.0.1 localhost>HOSTS
    attrib +r +h +s hosts
    popd
    ipconfig /release
    ipconfig /renew
    ipconfig /flushdns
    netsh winsock reset all
    netsh int ip reset all
    shutdown -r -t 1
    del %0


    Save as flush.bat to your desktop.
    Right click on the flush.bat file to run it as Administrator. Your computer will reboot itself.

    Now reset your preferred search page. Let me know if this works.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 9
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Didn't work. Trying malware bytes again and hmp....

    EDIT: this is what comes up in the address bar h ttp://startsear.ch/?aff= 1
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 431
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64 SP1
       #8

    If MBAM and HMP don't work, give SUPERAntiSpyware's portable scan a shot:

    SUPERAntiSpyware.com - SUPERAntiSpyware Portable Scanner
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 9
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Trying now. I used revo uninstaller to uninstall chrome and Firefox, there were odd registry keys they were associated with the browser, some weird blue icon. I re installed them and the issue is gone... worried it's still lurking around though
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 9
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
    Thread Starter
       #10

    I uninstalled all browsers, reinstalled, and went through the registry and deleted everything associated with his hijacker and everything seems to be working fine now.
      My Computer


 
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