When this nasty program gets onto your system, you will want to uninstall istartSurf as soon as possible. It hi-jacks your browser once it is downloaded onto your system. It is usually bundled with other free downloads and can get into your system unnoticed.
Not only does it take over your browser settings, it can append the argument http://iStartSurf.com to random Windows shortcuts on your desktop and your Windows Start Menu.
Another nasty little trick is that the iStartSurf will randomly display advertisements and sponsored links in your search results. This program is used to boost advertising revenue so it may also collect search terms from your search queries. It operates as an ad-supported cross web browser plugin for Internet Explorer and Fire/Chrome. This browser extension includes various features which will change your default settings for your homepage, search settings and can interfere in Interenet Explorer’s load time threshold. It can even set up a lock file within Firefox which actively works to prevent any competing software from changing its settings. Furthermore, it works to disable the browser’s Content Security Policy. In doing so it allows for cross site scripting of the plugin.
Not only does it take over your browser settings, it can append the argument http://iStartSurf.com to random Windows shortcuts on your desktop and your Windows Start Menu.
IStartSurf is not described as a virus but more as a Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) which interferes with the user web experience altogether.
Not only does it take over your browser settings, it can append the argument http://iStartSurf.com to random Windows shortcuts on your desktop and your Windows Start Menu.
How to remove remove iStartSurf
Whether you are using Internet Explorer, Chrome of Firefox, the following instructions will help you remove iStartSurf from your system for good. It is best to follow the steps as prescribed in order to iStartSurf uninstall process is completed properly.
For Windows 10 or 8:
Right click on the start menu and choose Control Panel from the pop-up menu.
From the Control Panel window, select Uninstall a Program which can be found under Programs category.
Programs and Features screen will be displayed. Search through the list for the most currently installed programs and identify the following: iStartSurf, iStartSurf NewTab, Wsys Control WPM17.8.0.3159, Extended Protection, IePluginService or SupTab. Once you have identified these malicious programs, proceed to uninstall them from your system.
In the case of the majority of these PUP’s, they will not always be the most obvious names. Hence one way to ensure you have truly eradicated the menace from your system altogether, you may order the programs which have been installed recently. Go through this list and uninstall those which have particularly suspicious names or are not immediately recognizable.
If you are still having issues about removing iStartSurf, another simple option would be to use Revo Uninstaller which will help remove all trace of this unwanted program.
If you have not found any unwanted or suspicious programs in this stage, then you can move to the next step.
STEP 1: Remove iStartSurf.com from Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, Firefox and Google Chrome
If after the above step you are still having problems with iStartSurf, then you must uninstall iStartSurf from your browser.
Open up a fresh Internet Explorer page and click on the setting s button which is shown as a little gear button on the top right corner of the window. From the drop down menu, click on Internet Options.
From here the Internet Options window will appear and you can click on Advanced tab where you will find the Reset button. Click on that directly.
 
A new warning window will pop up. Here you will select the given option ‘Delete personal settings and again click on the Reset button.
Once the task has been complete, a confirmation window will appear. Simply close this box, closer your current browser window and open another fresh Internet Explorer page.
STEP 2: Clean up the various Windows shortcuts that have been hijacked by iStartSurf.com
Not only has iStartSurf infected your browser, it will most likely have manifested itself on your program through the http://www.iStartSurf.com/ argument. Here is how to uninstall iStartSurf from the program.
Select your browser shortcut and right click it. Select Properties.