Start-Xyz – What is it?

“Start-Xyz” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is distributed as a plugin for your web browser. It is typically advertised as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that aids to browse some certain info, for instance, about sport events, make your web browser a lot more secure, enable downloading of any type of video clip, and so on. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).

Nevertheless, the “Start-Xyz” plugin is quite ineffective since all such features are currently embedded to your browser and/or Windows. Such advertising and marketing mottos are targeted at low-skilled computer users, for example, pensioners or schoolchildren. But frequently even qualified users are getting caught on such an appeal. In particular scenarios, this hijacker is dispersed together with free apps.

Start-Xyz Search Hijacker

How harmful is Start-Xyz hijacker?

Besides its uselessness, Start-Xyz hijacker is likewise really hazardous for web browser use. It transforms your search engine to its specific – Start-xyz.com, and likewise changes your background, adding its watermark on your background image (or, occasionally, changing it to default with the mentioned sign).

In addition to visual alterations done by Start-Xyz hijacker, you may see that a couple of your search questions are redirecting to the unknown web pages, full of web links and advertisements – so-called doorway websites. Such websites can have web links for malware downloads. The chance of redirecting increases if you attempt to launch Google search page by force.

But all these actions are much more annoying than really dangerous. The most important risk, specifically for people who have a lot of secret information in their web browsers, is embedded in data collecting functions. Cookie files, conversations, often-visited web pages, as well as other activities are simply gathered by Start-Xyz hijacker.

How to remove Start-Xyz search hijacker?

• Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
• Open GridinSoft Anti-Malware and perform a “Standard scan“.
• “Move to quarantine” all items.
• Open “Tools” tab – Press “Reset Browser Settings“.
• Select proper browser and options – Click “Reset”.
• Restart your computer.

Browser hijackers are generally quite simple to remove. For the most part, they have an independent application that can be spotted in the list of installed programs. Due to the particular distribution manner of Start-Xyz hijacker, it can be simply tracked and deleted by hand. However, if you got Start-Xyz in the bundle with a free program, your PC might be contaminated with much more dangerous malware – trojans, spyware and even ransomware. That’s why I’d advise you utilize anti-malware programs to delete the Start-Xyz PUA and all other malware.

You can use Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of discovering and removing various malware, including mentioned hijacker. Nevertheless, major malware, that might be present on your personal computer in the specified situation, can disable the Windows antimalware tool by modifying the Group Policies. To avoid such situations, it is far better to make use of GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

To detect and erase all unwanted applications on your computer with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, it’s better to utilize Standard or Full scan. Quick Scan is not able to find all the malicious apps, because it scans only the most popular registry entries and folders.

You can see the detected viruses sorted by their possible hazard during the scan process. But to perform any actions against malicious programs, you need to hold on until the scan is finished, or to stop the scan.

To choose the action for each detected malicious or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected virus. By default, all malware will be removed to quarantine.

Reset browser settings to original ones

To reset your browser settings, you need to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action is not able to be counteracted by any malicious program, hence, you will surely see the result. This option can be found in the Tools tab.

After choosing the Reset Browser Settings button, the menu will be displayed, where you can choose, which settings will be reverted to the original.

Deleteing Start-Xyz hijacker manually

Besides using anti-malware software for browser restoration, you may choose the “Reset browser settings” function, which is usually embedded in all popular browsers.

1. Open “Settings and more” tab in upper right corner, then find here “Settings” button. In the appeared menu, choose “Reset settings” option :
2. After picking the Reset Settings option, you will see the following menu, stating about the settings which will be reverted to original :

1. Open Menu tab (three strips in upper right corner) and click the “Help” button. In the appeared menu choose “troubleshooting information” :
2. In the next screen, find the “Refresh Firefox” option :

After choosing this option, you will see the next message :

1. Open Settings tab, find the “Advanced” button. In the extended tab choose the “Reset and clean up” button :
2. In the appeared list, click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” :
3. Finally, you will see the window, where you can see all the settings which will be reset to default :
   

1. Open Settings menu by pressing the gear icon in the toolbar (left side of the browser window), then click “Advanced” option, and choose “Browser” button in the drop-down list. Scroll down, to the bottom of the settings menu. Find there “Restore settings to their original defaults” option :
2. After clicking the “Restore settings…” button, you will see the window, where all settings, which will be reset, are shown :

As an afterword, I want to say that time plays against you and your PC. The activity of browser hijacker must be stopped as soon as possible, because of the possibility of other malware injection. This malware can be downloaded autonomously, or offered for you to download in one of the windows with advertisements, which are shown to you by the hijacker. You need to act as fast as you can.

References

1. More information about PUAs
2. Detailed review of Microsoft Defender