Manual Removal: How to Detect and Remove Trojan.Startpage Without Paid Software

Manual Removal: How to Detect and Remove Trojan.Startpage Without Paid Software

1. Safety first

• Disconnect from the internet to prevent data leaks or further downloads.
• Work from an administrator account but avoid using online banking or entering passwords while cleaning.
• Back up important files to an external drive (do not back up executables or unknown files).

2. Signs of infection

• Browser homepage or search engine changed to an unfamiliar site.
• Excessive redirects, new toolbars, unwanted extensions, or frequent pop-ups.
• Slow system performance, high network activity, or unknown startup items.

3. Prepare free tools

• Use a clean computer to download installers if the infected PC’s browser is compromised.
• Recommended free utilities:
  • Malwarebytes Free (for on-demand scanning)
  • Microsoft Defender (built into Windows)
  • AdwCleaner (free for removing adware/browser hijackers)
  • Autoruns (Sysinternals) for startup inspection

4. Manual removal steps (Windows)

1. Reboot into Safe Mode with Networking:
   • Settings → Update & Security → Recovery → Restart now → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart → Choose Safe Mode with Networking.
2. Check and remove suspicious browser extensions:
   • Chrome: Menu → More tools → Extensions.
   • Edge: Settings → Extensions.
   • Firefox: Add-ons → Extensions. Remove unknown items.
3. Reset browser settings and homepage/search:
   • Chrome/Edge: Settings → Reset settings → Restore settings to their original defaults.
   • Firefox: Help → More Troubleshooting Information → Refresh Firefox.
4. Uninstall suspicious programs:
   • Control Panel → Programs and Features (or Settings → Apps). Uninstall recently installed or unknown entries.
5. Remove malicious startup items:
   • Run Autoruns as Administrator, uncheck unsigned or suspicious entries (note names and publishers first).
6. Inspect Hosts file:
   • Open C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts with Notepad (run Notepad as admin). Remove unfamiliar entries redirecting domains to local addresses.
7. Delete scheduled tasks:
   • Task Scheduler → Task Scheduler Library. Look for recently created tasks by unfamiliar names and delete them.
8. Search for and delete related files:
   • Look in common locations: %AppData%, %LocalAppData%, C:\ProgramData, C:\Windows\Temp. Delete suspicious folders/files (record names).
9. Check services and processes:
   • Task Manager → Processes. For unknown processes, right-click → Open file location, then terminate and delete file if malicious.
10. Clear DNS cache:

• Run cmd as admin → ipconfig /flushdns

5. Run on-demand scans

• Update Microsoft Defender and run a full scan.
• Run Malwarebytes Free and AdwCleaner; follow their removal prompts.
• Reboot and run scans again to ensure no reinfection.

6. Post-removal checks

• Verify browser homepage and search engine are restored.
• Monitor for reappearance of symptoms for 7–14 days.
• Change passwords after confirming system is clean (use a different device to change critical passwords if unsure).

7. Prevent reinfection

• Keep OS and browsers updated.
• Install only trusted extensions.
• Use least-privilege accounts for daily use.
• Avoid downloading software from unknown sources.

8. When to seek professional help

• If the infection persists after these steps, or if sensitive data may be compromised, consider professional malware removal or a full OS reinstall.

If you want, I can provide specific removal commands or a concise checklist tailored to your Windows version.