“I wrote this article to help you remove Loadstart.net. This Loadstart.net removal guide is working for Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer.”

Loadstart.net is an alternative search engine. It is hard to discern how the website is different from the established search providers. Loadstart.net has a classic graphic design and user interface. The website does not have distinguishable features, apart from a links bar. The domain provides fast access to the following websites: Gmail, Twitter, Facebook, Ebay, Aliexpress, Amazon, Gearbest and Banggood. If you are looking for a way to enhance your browsing experience, trying out this platform is not a wise choice. Though it may not be apparent, the Loadstart.net website is a base for a browser hijacker. The rogue program is a threat to your security.

What harm can the hijacker behind Loadstart.net inflict?

The hijacker takes control over the web browser by rendering its settings. It makes Loadstart.net the homepage and default search engine. The insidious program will not allow you to revert back to your regular settings. Another area the Loadstart.net hijacker affects are the search results. The shady tool adds supported websites amid the genuine results to the entered queries. They may or may not match your request. Even if they do, the domains in question could be malicious. Making a purchase from a fake shopping platform or entering financial details in a phishing website can have dire consequences.

The attacks of the Loadstart.net hijacker are not limited to the search engine, though. The clandestine program can open new browser windows and tabs at random. This is a form of advertising. The covert tool supports third party websites by running advertising campaigns. The ads feature enticing deals for various items, like clothes, jewelry, accessories, furniture, interior decorations, technological devices, books, games and others. Again, we highlight on the ambiguity of the listings. The source sites for the featured offers are not disclosed. Following an ad could lead you to a domain which spreads malware.

The hijacker behind Loadstart.net is a threat to your personal security, as well. The furtive program is set to keep track of your activity and record all the information it can access from your browser. This starts from statistical data, like your history, IP address, geographic location and demographic details. Depending on the tasks you use your browser for, the hijacker could get to know your email, physical address, telephone number, banking information and other sensitive details. Your private data can be sold to cyber criminals.

What propagation vectors does the hijacker behind Loadstart.net use?

The Loadstart.net hijacker prefers to travel in bundles with other software tools. The usual culprits are freeware, shareware and pirated programs. The secluded tool tries to get installed in parallel with its host by getting added to its terms and conditions. The option to have an extra program included in the process is selected per default. You have to find where this is mentioned and change the setting. It is advised to choose the advanced or custom option when running an installation. The bonus tool can be listed in the extended options.

The other means of transportation for the Loadstart.net hijacker are bogus emails. Spam senders have become quite crafty in their campaigns. They can write a message on behalf of an existing entity, copy its logo and contacts to make it seem genuine. The best indication about the reliability of an electronic letter is the email account behind it. Check if this is the exact same address the organization has listed on its official website. The spammers could have created a fake account which resembles the original.

Loadstart.net Uninstall

Before starting the real removal process, you must reboot in Safe Mode. If you are familiar with this task, skip the instructions below and proceed to Step 2. If you do not know how to do it, here is how to reboot in Safe mode:

For Windows 98, XP, Millenium and 7:
Reboot your computer. When the first screen of information appears, start repeatedly pressing F8 key. Then choose Safe Mode With Networking from the options.

For Windows 8/8.1
Click the Start button, next click Control Panel —> System and Security —> Administrative Tools —> System Configuration.‌

Check the Safe Boot option and click OK. Click Restart when asked.
For Windows 10
Open the Start menu and click or tap on the Power button.

While keeping the Shift key pressed, click or tap on Restart.

Here are the steps you must perform to remove the hijacker from the browser:

Remove From Mozilla Firefox:

Open Firefox, click on top-right corner , click Add-ons, hit Extensions next.

Look for suspicious or unknown extensions, remove them all.

Remove From Chrome:

Open Chrome, click chrome menu icon at the top-right corner —>More Tools —> Extensions. There, identify the malware and select chrome-trash-icon(Remove).

Remove From Internet Explorer:
Open IE, then click IE gear icon on the top-right corner —> Manage Add-ons.

Find the malicious add-on. Remove it by pressing Disable.

Right click on the browser’s shortcut, then click Properties. Remove everything after the .exe” in the Target box.

Open Control Panel by holding the Win Key and R together. Write appwiz.cpl in the field, then click OK.

Here, find any program you had no intention to install and uninstall it.

Run the Task Manager by right clicking on the Taskbar and choosing Start Task Manager.

Look carefully at the file names and descriptions of the running processes. If you find any suspicious one, search on Google for its name, or contact me directly to identify it. If you find a malware process, right-click on it and choose End task.

Open MS Config by holding the Win Key and R together. Type msconfig and hit Enter.

Go in the Startup tab and Uncheck entries that have “Unknown” as Manufacturer.

Still can not remove Loadstart.net from your browser? Please, leave a comment below, describing what steps you performed. I will answer promptly.