How to remove the DigStar Search virus – Digstar.com redirect removal (Uninstall guide)
What is the DigStar virus (redirect)?
The DigStar virus, Digstar redirect virus, DigStar Quicik Button virus, or DigStar – Your Ultimate WebSearch are terms used to describe potential unwanted malware categorized as a browser hijacker that changes internet browser settings with or without consent, including the home page and default search engine causing internet browsers to redirect to www.digstar.com and other websites. Furthermore, the Digstar search engine has b een noted to display irrelevant search results, unwanted advertisements, and retail items that may harm a computer system and invade the privacy of users. It should be noted that Digstar.com and the Maryme.de company do not claim responsibility for the harm caused by associated third-parties, including parties promoted through advertisements and search results.
The Digstar search engine is very invasive and collects sensitive user information. Their privacy policy states “from time-to-time the Maryme Sites request information from you that may identify you personally. The requested information typically includes contact information (such as name, e-mail address, shipping address, and zip code), and demographic information (such as age, gender, occupation, and household income).” The Digstar.com search engine and third-party malware related to Digstar.com may also collect other information and use it at will without consent or knowledge of the victim.
Reports have indicated that www.digstar.com and related websites may add users to marketing and mailing lists without permission. Users have reported excessive email spam, junk mail, and even telephone calls from telemarketers concerning recent computing and internet browser activity. To protect your identity and the functionality of your computer it is strongly recommended to remove malware responsible for the unwanted digstar.com redirection.
In severe cases, browser hijackers and associated malware have been the culprit of issues concerning credit theft, extortion, and identity theft.
How does Digstar.com malware infect a computer?
Malware alike the Digstar hijacker are often contracted via downloadable items including freeware, shareware, codecs, and even torrents. Recently installed software, especially software installed from websites like download.com may be the cause of symptoms related to the Digstar redirect (Digstar.com redirect).
DigStar Quick Button can also be manually and voluntarily installed from a variety of websites, most notably as an add-on for Firefox.
How to remove Digstar.com malware
How to remove Digstar.com malware- Uninstall unwanted software (If necessary) – Use the correct procedures to uninstall software relating to Digstar.com redirect (from 2 options)
- Remove unwanted browser attachment (If necessary) – Remove DigStar – Your Ultimate WebSearch, DigStar Quick Button, and other add-ons and extensions
- Scan computer for malware – Scan for and remove additional malware infecting your computer system
- Automatically repair browser settings – Automatically remove hijacked Digstar.com settings and automatically uninstall associated software
- Manually remove www.digstar.com homepage
- Manually remove www.digstar.com search engine
1. Uninstall unwanted software (2 options)
Option 1: Windows Uninstall (Manual Uninstall)
1. Access Windows Start Menu and navigate to the Control Panel.
2. Click Uninstall a program or Add and remove a program (depending on your version of Windows).
3. In the list of installed programs search for suspicious third party programs or programs you recently installed. Uninstall any unwanted software by double clicking the program’s icon, or highlight the program in the list and click the Uninstall button/tab.
Option 2: CCleaner by Piriform (Automated Uninstall)
CCleaner by Piriform
CCleaner can be used to uninstall stubborn software and software used to promote browser hijackers. CCleaner is notorious for removing similar hijackers such as Conduit Search.
1. Install the free or paid version of CCleaner by Piriform and run the program.
2. Once installed, navigate to Tools > Uninstall tab and locate unwanted software in the list. To automatically uninstall the software click Run Uninstaller.
2. Remove unwanted browser attachments
If necessary after uninstalling unwanted software, you may need to remove a browser add-on or extension such as Digstar Toolbar or DigStar – Your Ultimate WebSearch. Please note, it may be necessary to remove multiple third-party titles.
Google Chrome
1. Click on the Customize icon (wrench or 3 bar icon) next to the address bar and navigate to Tools > Extensions.
2. Search for the Digstar extension and remove it by clicking the trashcan icon next to them.
Mozilla Firefox
1. Type Ctrl+Shift+A.
2. On the Extensions and Plugin search for the Digstar add-on and remove it.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
1. Click Tools and select Manage add-ons.
2. On the Toolbars and Extensions tab search for the Digstar add-on and remove it if located.
3. Scan computer for malware (Automated removal)
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can be used to detect and remove additional and/or third-party malware from your computer system, including malware that may be responsible for symptoms of the Digstar virus.
1. Install the free or paid version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software.
2. Once Malwarebytes is installed, run the program. If you are using the free version of Malwarebytes you will be prompted to update the database, please do so.
3. Open the first tab labeled “Scanner” and select the Perform full scan option. Click the Scan button to perform a full system scan. Malwarebytes will automatically detect malware infecting your computer system.
4. Once the full system scan is complete, Malwarebytes may prompt a message stating malicious objects were detected. Select the malicious objects and click the Remove Selected button to completely remove the malicious files from your computer (the image below shows a file that is NOT selected).
4. Automatically repair browser settings (Automated repair)
CCleaner by Piriform
CCleaner can also be used to repair internet browser settings and stop your browser from redirecting to http://www.digstar.com and other unwanted search engines.
1. Install the free or paid version of CCleaner by Piriform and run the program.
2. Once installed, run the program and navigate to Cleaner > Windows/Applications and click the Analyze button. Afterwards, click the Run Cleaner button on the bottom right of the program interface.
3. Next, navigate to Tools > Startup and search through each tab starting from windows, internet explorer, etc., all the way to Content Menu, for additional suspicious entries and click Disable and Delete once anything is found. Look for anything that may be suspicious or contain “Digstar or Mary” in the title or filename.
5. Manually remove www.digstar.com homepage
- In Mozilla Firefox navigate to Tools > Options or click Firefox in the top left corner and click Options > Options. Under the General tab remove www.digstar.com from the “Home Page:” field and replace it with your preferred home page URL.
- In Microsoft Internet Explorer navigate to Tools >Internet Options. Remove www.digstar.com from the Home Page field and replace it with your preferred URL.
- In Google Chrome click the customize icon (wrench or 3 bars) and navigate to Settings.Click “Set pages” under the On startup option. Remove www.digstar.com and replace it with your preferred URL.
6. Manually remove www.digstar.com search engine
- In Mozilla Firefox, click the small search magnify glass near the search box (not url/search field) and click “Manage Search Engines…”. Remove the www.digstar.com search engine from the list of search providers by highlighting the selections and clicking remove.
- In Microsoft Internet Explorer navigate to Tools > Manage Add Ons > Search Providers and remove the www.digstar.com search engine from the list.
- In Google Chrome, click the customize icon (wrench or 3 bars) and navigate to Settings > Manage search engines… click the X next to www.digstar.com to remove it as your search engine.
Please note, If http://www.digstar.com is set as Google Chrome’s default search engine, add (or select) a new search engine (such as Google.com) and select the new search engine as the default search engine, then remove www.digstar.com by clicking the X next to it.
