Do you know what Startjoysearch.com is?
As fun as it sounds, Startjoysearch.com does not look that colorful once you load the website. If you were suspicious from the first time you noticed the search engine, you made a right choice by looking more information about it. For starters, we can tell that the search engine is classified as a browser hijacker. The application fell under this category because it might modify user’s browser preferences. Users should be aware that while using Startjoysearch.com, they might encounter suspicious third-party ads. If you did notice them among the search results, we would advise you to avoid such content. Our researchers who tested the software in our internal lab says that the ads could be clickable, and they might lead users to harmful websites. Therefore, we urge you to erase it as soon as possible. If you need a removal guide, you can find it below the main text.
Startjoysearch.com cannot hijack just any browser as it should be compatible only with Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. The application settles in these browsers by placing an extension. This add-on should be named similarly to the search engine or it might have the same title. After successfully adding the extension, this hijacker should alter the user's preferences by changing the default search engine or new tab page. From that moment your browser should use Startjoysearch.com for all your searches. Also, the web page could also be loaded every time user opens a new tab page.
Startjoysearch.com screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
The question is how the extension settled in the first place if you do not recall installing it. Unfortunately, some users install browser hijackers, potentially unwanted programs, adware or other suspicious software accidentally. Usually, it happens for users who download bundled installers but do not pay much attention to the terms in the setup wizard. Bundled setup files may contain suggestions of applications that are not necessarily related to the main program. If you do not deselect it yourself in the setup wizard, they are installed on the system automatically. Keep this in mind the next time you launch an installer and you will avoid unreliable software.
If Startjoysearch.com managed to enter the system this way, do not hesitate to remove it since you did not want the application in the first place. Plus, if you continue using the search engine, it might show you unreliable third-party ads. These ads might come from various web pages, and some part of them could be harmful. Thus, when you click an ad, you might be redirected to its original website. If the site contains Trojans, viruses, ransomware or other malware, users could infect the system. For example, a web page could contain downloads of infected updates for video players or other software.
Thus, we advise you not to risk your computer’s safety. There are plenty of other search engines, so you can easily replace the browser hijacker with a reliable search tool. To eliminate Startjoysearch.com users should delete the extension and reset their browsers. It should not be too difficult to complete these tasks, especially if you follow the removal guide below. On the other hand, we should also mention that the application can be erased with a trustworthy security tool. The plus side is that the antimalware tool can detect and delete other possible threats as well. Cleaning the system once in a while is always advisable, and the presence of the hijacker might be a signal that it is time to take care of your PC.
Eliminate Startjoysearch.com extensions
Mozilla Firefox
- Press CTRL+SHIFT+A.
- Click on Extensions.
- Select the extension and click Remove.
Google Chrome
- Press ALT+F and click Settings.
- Choose More tools and pick Extensions.
- Locate the unwanted extension.
- Press the trash bin button near it and select Remove.
Reset affected browsers
Mozilla Firefox
- Press the Help option on the top-left corner.
- Click Troubleshooting information and wait till new tab opens.
- Press Refresh Firefox on the right side.
- Click Refresh Firefox again and select Finish.
Google Chrome
- Click the settings icon on the top-right corner.
- Select Settings, slide down and choose Show advanced settings.
- Scroll down again and press the Reset Settings button.
- Click Reset.
In non-techie terms:
Startjoysearch.com is a suspicious search engine that could show you modified search results. The problem with the results is that they could contain ads with links to harmful web pages. Another thing our specialists learned it that the search engine is hosted on the same server with other browser hijackers, e.g. safesidesearch.com, iqasearch.com, etc. As you realize, the application might be not the safest choice for the computer. If you choose to remove it, you can eliminate the browser hijacker while using the instructions above or with an antimalware tool.