How to remove istartsurf.com on opera?

[damsak11]

damsak11 last edited by

Hi there! There is a search bar installed of my opera browser that called istartsurf.com how can I remove it. I tried to remove it in many ways. But I couldn't please halp me. Thanks

[Deleted User]

Deleted User last edited by

That is malware.

1. Try to remove in Windows by Uninstall programs
2. In Opera with Ctrl Shift E start extension manager and look if something starnge exists
3. Clean your system with AdwCleaner and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

[blackbird71]

blackbird71 last edited by

Istartsurf is adware and a PuP (potentially unwanted program) that comes bundled with freeware downloads. Usually, it's best to simply start with @gwen-dragon's third suggestion: Malwarebytes and AdwCleaner. I've yet to personally run into an infection from this class of adware that responded to "ordinary" removal efforts via add/remove programs and so on. The last one I helped a user with had covertly created 19 slightly different variations of itself on the system. While manually removing it via add/remove took out the original entry, it was auto-replaced an hour later by another variation of the same thing. The PuP had infected the start folder, the registry, the task scheduler, the browsers, and a number of file folders so it could resurrect itself periodically from a variety of scattered implants. Malwarebytes did the trick on that beast, but it's always wise to get a second "clean" opinion from another reputable tool. Be VERY careful about downloading an off-brand specialized removal tool if you don't know the reputation of its maker - some outfits use pretend-removal tools to infect a system with something worse than what is being targeted for removal.

[damsak11]

damsak11 last edited by

Istartsurf is adware and a PuP (potentially unwanted program) that comes bundled with freeware downloads. Usually, it's best to simply start with @gwen-dragon's third suggestion: Malwarebytes and AdwCleaner. I've yet to personally run into an infection from this class of adware that responded to "ordinary" removal efforts via add/remove programs and so on. The last one I helped a user with had covertly created 19 slightly different variations of itself on the system. While manually removing it via add/remove took out the original entry, it was auto-replaced an hour later by another variation of the same thing. The PuP had infected the start folder, the registry, the task scheduler, the browsers, and a number of file folders so it could resurrect itself periodically from a variety of scattered implants. Malwarebytes did the trick on that beast, but it's always wise to get a second "clean" opinion from another reputable tool. Be VERY careful about downloading an off-brand specialized removal tool if you don't know the reputation of its maker - some outfits use pretend-removal tools to infect a system with something worse than what is being targeted for removal.

Hey I did it in Malwarebytes. But it's already there.

[blackbird71]

blackbird71 last edited by

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Hey I did it in Malwarebytes. But it's already there.

I'm not quite sure what you mean by 'it's already there'. If you mean you've already tried using malwarebytes and failed, then be sure your Malwarebytes has the latest updates. If it does and it still isn't finding the adware, then download and try AdwCleaner. If you should download AdwCleaner, be sure to get it from a reputable site that doesn't bundle even more adware with it. The developer lists it for downloading via ToolsLib at: https://toolslib.net/downloads/ Also note that an adware program can masquerade under other names, so make sure to remove all of the ones these tools may find.

If neither Malwarebytes or AdwCleaner can get it out, it may have employed rootkitting or something else to embed itself even deeper, in which case you may need to go to a security forum (eg: Malwarebytes, Wilders, DSLR, etc) to get their help in using the correct advanced removal tools to get it out. Increasingly, adware is taking on some nasty malware elements, in terms of making itself persistent on a system and resisting removal.

[damsak11]

damsak11 last edited by

@blackbird71 thank you for the help. I'll try in that way.

[David-H]

David-H last edited by

Istartsurf is adware and a PuP (potentially unwanted program) that comes bundled with freeware downloads. Usually, it's best to simply start with @gwen-dragon's third suggestion: Malwarebytes and AdwCleaner. I've yet to personally run into an infection from this class of adware that responded to "ordinary" removal efforts via add/remove programs and so on. The last one I helped a user with had covertly created 19 slightly different variations of itself on the system. While manually removing it via add/remove took out the original entry, it was auto-replaced an hour later by another variation of the same thing. The PuP had infected the start folder, the registry, the task scheduler, the browsers, and a number of file folders so it could resurrect itself periodically from a variety of scattered implants. Malwarebytes did the trick on that beast, but it's always wise to get a second "clean" opinion from another reputable tool. Be VERY careful about downloading an off-brand specialized removal tool if you don't know the reputation of its maker - some outfits use pretend-removal tools to infect a system with something worse than what is being targeted for removal.

I have noticed that IOBit's software now have a pup pre ticked by default on it's 'program updating'now so I presume the you cant use IObit's malware scanner to remove them (it don't pick them up in free version) until you pay for the full version. I E-mailed them on it a week ago and nothing.

[blackbird71]

blackbird71 last edited by

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I have noticed that IOBit's software now have a pup pre ticked by default on it's 'program updating'now so I presume the you cant use IObit's malware scanner to remove them (it don't pick them up in free version) until you pay for the full version. I E-mailed them on it a week ago and nothing.

IObit has a long and well established history of itself installing PuPs, toolbars, rogue software, spyware and of the 2009 theft and copying of Malwarebytes' signature database. Personally, I'd keep a safe distance from the products of any company with such a sorry ethical record.