Overview |
Summary: |
Produces a non-stop connection to the Internet. |
Vendor Notes: |
from the doc: 'In consideration for the Service, you grant StartSurfing the right to suppress pop-up windows, manage cookies coming from certain Internet properties, convert certain words to 'SmartSearch' results when a search is performed on certain search engines or indexing services, contact you with information, including information from sponsors, redirect 404 errors and DNS errors to a page that may contain advertising on our servers, and to disclose to third parties your information. Furthermore, you grant StartSurfing the right to track words or phrases when you perform a search on certain search engines or indexing services, however, this method of tracking is not done on an individual level. You additionally grant StartSurfing the right to automatically update the Software, add features and benefits without notification, and periodically show advertising window while surfing the Internet.' |
Category: |
Spyware: Any product that employs a user's Internet connection in the background without their knowledge, and gathers/transmits info on the user or their behavior. Many spyware products will collect referrer info (information from your web browser which reveals what URL you linked from), your IP address (a number that is used by computers on the network to identify your computer), system information (such as time of visit, type of browser used, the operating system and platform, and CPU speed.) Spyware products sometimes wrap other commercial products, and are introduced to machines when those commercial products are installed. See also Adware.
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Similar Pests: |
Spyware |
Origins |
Group: |
startsurfing.com |
URL: |
http://www.startsurfing.com/ |
Date of Origin: |
June, 2001 |
Distribution |
Prevalence: |
StartSurfing: 0.1%
More Info |
Clot Factor: |
StartSurfing: < 1
The "Clot Factor" is a measure of how much a pest "gums up" a machine by adding registry entries, files, and directories. As more objects are placed in a machine, manual removal becomes more difficult and more error-prone. |
Operation |
Platform: |
Win 95/98/ME/NT/2000 |
Storage Required: |
StartSurfing: at least 505 KB |
Detection and Removal |
Automatic Removal: |
 PestPatrol detects this.
PestPatrol removes this.
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Manual Removal: |
Follow these steps to remove StartSurfing from your machine. Begin by backing up your registry and your system, and/or setting a Restore Point, to prevent trouble if you make a mistake. |
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Stop Running Processes:
Kill these running processes with Task Manager:
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Remove Files:
Remove these files (if present) with Windows Explorer:
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Research |
File Analyses: |
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More Info: |
Start Surfing allows you to protect your privacy while surfing and searching the Internet by acting as a "filter" between you and the website you are visiting. Startsurfing acts as your shield from Pop Up Windows, Mouse Traps, Window Resizing, and scripts that attempt to record your personal information. Available via Start -> Programs
AllTheWeb, AltaVista, AOL Search, Ask Jeeves, Google, HotBot, Lycos, LookSmart, MSN, Yahoo! |
Research By: |
PestPatrol's Pest Research Center |
Last Revised: |
April 04, 2005 |