What is Start2.me - How can I Remove Start2.me?

Start2.me virus attacked my computer! I noticed that it had changed my default homepage to its own domain. I have tried running my antivirus program to remove this virus; however, nothing is detected. Someone suggests me to manually remove this threat, but I don’t know how to do that. I need your help!!



Details of Start2.me
Start2.me is a browser redirect virus that is able to modify your browser settings and take over your default homepage and search engine without any permission. This redirect virus is designed to promote various products or services by redirecting users to particular websites. It seems that Start2.me is a legitimate website that offers the search function; however, it does not always provide you with reliable search results. When you use its search engine to search for something, you will find many ads and sponsored links in the search results. It is not suggested to click on those ads or links, because you may be redirected to some malicious websites and end up downloading other types of malware to your computer. Besides, this redirect virus will make changes to the HOSTS file of Windows system, so that it can redirect you to unknown sponsored web pages or pornography websites every time you type your preferred website URLs to the address bar. Start2.me redirect virus also has the ability to collect your personal information. It monitors your online activities, tracks your browser cookies and sends the information collected to the remote cyber hackers. Thus, it can deliver more ads based on your interests or habits, and generate more advertising revenue. You have to get rid of Start2.me redirect virus as quickly as possible, so as to make your browser work properly and protect your personal information.

Symptoms of Start2.me Infection
Browser settings get changed. The redirect virus is able to make changes to your browser settings, causing the changes of default homepage and search engine.

Browsers are redirected to unknown websites. The redirect virus can alter Hosts files, which allows it to redirect you to web pages that you have no intention to visit.

Many annoying ads pop up. The redirect virus will pop up lots of ads on the web pages that you visit. And most ads are delivered based on your interests or search habits.

Computer performance becomes decreased. The redirect virus eats a lot of system resources when running in the system, which causes the computer to run slowly and sluggishly.

Unknown toolbars appear on the browsers. The redirect virus downloads and installs various toolbars you have never heard of on you browsers, which reduces your Internet speed.

Causes of Start2.me Infection
You don’t update the security software in your PC on a regular basis, which makes your computer is vulnerable to malware attacks.

You download shareware or freeware from the Internet. Some low-cost or free software is sometimes bundled with malware like redirect virus, adware, and spyware. Downloading and installing such software could lead to unwanted malware infection.

You open an email attachment which is sent by a contact of yours or a totally unknown person. Email attachments have been a common tool for hackers to spread malware like Start2.me redirect virus.

You visit websites which contain various pop-up ads. Those websites are not safe for you to browse. Clicking on malicious hyperlinks or ads may pave path for malware to get into your computer system.

Your computer has auto-play feature enabled, which allow the malware to easily execute from infected external storage devices like USB devices, memory cars, zip drives, etc.

Effective Start2.me Redirect Virus Removal Guide

Option 1: Remove the Redirect Virus by Following the Guide.

Option 2: Remove the Redirect Virus by Using SpyHunter.

Note: Manually removing the redirect virus is effective; however, it involves several complicated steps which may not be easily accomplished novice users. If you are not expert at computer, downloading and using a professional malware removal tool will be a better choice. It does not require you to be a computer expert to remove the nasty redirect virus at all.

Option 1: Remove the Redirect Virus by Following the Guide.
Step 1: Remove all programs related to Start2.me redirect virus.
Click Start menu, and select Control Panel from the list.
Click on the Uninstall a program link under the Programs.
Select any redirect virus related or suspicious programs, and click on Uninstall button.

Step 2: Show all hidden files and folders.
Open the Control Panel and then click on Appearance and Personalization link.
Locate Folder Options link and click on it.
In the pop-up window, click the View tab.
Tick the “Show hidden files and folders” and non-tick the “Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)”.
Click the OK button to save the settings.
FolderOptions_

Step 3: Delete all files and registry entries related to Start2.me redirect virus.

Open Local system disks, find out and delete all redirect virus related files.

%Temp%\[random]
%Program Files%\[random]
%Document and Settings%\[UserName]\Application Data\[random]
%UserProfile%\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\[random]

Press Windows key + R key.
Type “regedit” into the pop-up box, and click OK button.
Run1
In the registry editor, search for entries related to the redirect virus and delete them.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run “[random].exe”
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run “[random].exe”

Important Note: You should only delete the really malicious files and registry entries; otherwise, you may cause unnecessary damage to your computer system.

Step 4: Remove the unwanted homepage and search engine from your browsers.

Internet Explorer
Click on the settings icon and then select “Internet options”.
Under the “General” tab, remove http://www.Start2.me from the “Home page” box.
Type the website URL you like, click on “Apply” and then click “OK”.
Click on “Settings” on the “Change search defaults” area.
Select the search provider you don’t want, click “Remove” to delete it.

Google Chrome
Click on the Google Chrome menu icon and select “Settings”
Under “Appearance” tab, tick the “Show Home button”, and click on “Change”.
Click on “Open this page” and type the website URL you prefer and click “OK”.
Go back to the Settings page, locate the Search area and click on “Manage search engines…”
Highlight the unwanted search engine and delete it by clicking on the X mark.
Finally, click on “Done” to exit.

Mozilla Firefox
Click on the “Tools” menu and select “Options”.
Under the “General” tab, remove the unwanted website URL from the “Home Page” box.
Type a website of your choice, click on “Use Current Page” and then click on “OK” to confirm your change.
Click on the search windows and then click “Manage Search Engines…”
Select the search engine you don’t want, click “Remove” and then click “OK”.


Option 2: Remove the Redirect Virus by Using a Malware Removal Tool.
SpyHunter is a powerful malware removal tool which serves to help detect and remove various malware like redirect viruses, Trojan horses, worms, rootkits, adware, spyware, ransomware, etc. Now you can automatically clean up Start2.me redirect virus by following the steps below:

Step 1: Click on the download button below and save the file to your desktop. Then, run the downloaded file and proceed to download the SpyHunter installer.
Step 2: Once the SpyHunter installer is completely downloaded, select the language to proceed with the installation. After that accept the SpyHunter terms and wait till the installation finishes. Click the “Finish” button and you will see the home page of SpyHunter.
Step 3: Now click on “Scan Computer Now” to scan the system for Start2.me redirect virus and any other related computer threats.
Step 4: Once the scanning completes, SpyHunter will list all the detected threats residing in the system. Then, you need to remove all of the threats by clicking “Fix Threats’” button.

Useful Tips to Protect Your PC
Never open e-mail attachments from someone you don’t know, and be wary of forwarded attachments (files, pictures or even links) from people you do know. Those attachments may have malicious codes of malware.

Don’t click on email links claiming to offer antivirus software; the links may serve the opposite purpose and actually download and install malware on your PC.
Don’t download free software from websites you don’t trust; that freeware or shareware may contain malware like Start2.me redirect virus.
Don’t click on links within pop-up windows; clicking on the window may install malware on your computer.

Be wary of unexpected pop-up boxes asking whether you want to download and install a particular program. Always select “no” or “cancel,” or close the dialog box by clicking the “X” icon in the title bar.

Enable automatic Windows updates, or download Microsoft updates regularly, to keep your operating system patched against known vulnerabilities.

Why You Need a Removal Tool?
Not everyone is a computer geek who can handle the manual removal well. If you are a novice computer user, removing Start2.me by using a removal tool will be a better option. This will save you much time and trouble. An advanced removal tool like SpyHunter will be able to thoroughly detect and remove the nasty redirect virus as well as other potential threats on your computer. The whole process would not take you much time and damage your system. Just download SpyHunter and let it serve you right now!