Why You Should Beware of the Searchstartnow.com Browser Hijacker Site
Searchstartnow.com is a browser hijacker that can take over your web browser without your consent or knowledge. Such a website has components that are usually designed to change your default homepage, search engine, and new tab page to promote a particular website, in this case, Searchstartnow.com.
The hijacker can affect popular web browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge, and it can be installed on your computer through various means. It could be downloaded as a bundled software package alongside a legitimate program from a third-party website, or it could be disguised as a browser extension or add-on.
How does Searchstartnow.com change Internet settings?
Once installed, the Searchstartnow.com components or browser extensions can change your browser settings and prevent you from resetting them. This means that every time you open your browser, you will be redirected to the Searchstartnow.com website, which is essentially a search engine that displays ads and sponsored links in the search results. These links can lead to potentially harmful websites, and the ads can be misleading or fraudulent. The Searchstartnow.com search function may turn out to be a method for hackers to get paid through pay-per-click or pay-per-impression schemes.
Furthermore, Searchstartnow.com can collect your browsing history, search queries, and other information related to your online activity. This data is often used for targeted advertising and sold to third-party companies. This puts your privacy at risk, and you may start receiving unwanted ads, spam emails, or even phone calls.
Removal of Searchstartnow.com and its components is a process that is recommended by computer security experts to be performed by an antimalware program. However, savvy computer users may manually find and remove Searchstartnow.com components, which may be risky for some computer users if all associated components are not found and deleted. Essentially, the Searchstartnow.com threat may reload from leftover files or browser extensions if they are not fully removed.
