Removal instructions for the Star Field browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of software is Star Field?
Star Field is a rogue browser extension that our researchers discovered while examining deceptive sites. This extension promises to display star-themed browser wallpapers.
After investigating Star Field, we determined that it is a browser hijacker. This extension makes modifications to browser settings in order to generate redirects to the search.star-field.net fake search engine.
Star Field browser hijacker overview
Browser-hijacking software assigns the addresses of endorsed websites as browsers' homepages, default search engines, and new browser tab/window URLs.
Star Field changes these settings to the search.star-field.net site. Therefore, new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries entered into the URL bar – result in redirects to search.star-field.net. It is noteworthy that browser hijackers often employ persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent browser recovery.
Illegitimate search engines typically cannot provide search results, so they redirect to genuine Internet search websites. At the time of research, search.star-field.net landed on the Bing search engine (bing.com). It is pertinent to mention that it could lead elsewhere since redirects might be dictated by factors like user geolocation.
What is more, Star Field has data-tracking abilities. Targeted information may include: visited URLs, viewed pages, search queries, bookmarks, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, credit card numbers, and so on. The collected data can then be shared with and/or sold to third-parties.
To summarize, the presence of browser-hijacking software like Star Field on devices can lead to system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Star Field |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Star Field |
| Supposed Functionality | Browser wallpapers |
| Promoted URL | search.star-field.net |
| Detection Names (search.star-field.net) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (search.star-field.net) | 3.225.140.174 |
| Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
| Symptoms | Manipulated Internet browser settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit the hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling). |
| Damage | Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Browser hijacker examples
We have analyzed countless browser hijackers; My World Clock, Awesome Facts Tab, and My Sports News Extension are merely a few examples.
Browser-hijacking software usually appears legitimate and harmless. However, in most cases, the promised features are fake and nonfunctional. It must be emphasized that even if a piece of software operates as advertised – that is not a guarantee of either legitimacy or safety.
How did Star Field install on my computer?
We have obtained from Star Field from its "official" promotional webpage. In addition to such sites, browser hijackers are endorsed on scam pages. Most users enter these webpages via redirects caused by misspelled URLs, spam browser notifications, websites using rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads, or installed adware.
Browser-hijacking software can also be bundled with ordinary programs. The risk of permitting bundled content to access the system is increased by downloading from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and by rushing through installation processes (e.g., skipped steps/sections, used "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.).
Additionally, intrusive adverts proliferate browser hijackers. Some of these advertisements can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations upon being clicked.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
We strongly recommend researching software and downloading it only from official/verified sources. Installation processes must be treated with caution, e.g., by reading terms, studying possible options, using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opting out of all additional apps, extensions, tools, etc.
We advise being vigilant while browsing since fraudulent and malicious online content usually appears legitimate and harmless. For example, intrusive ads may look innocuous – yet they redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., scam-promoting, pornography, gambling, adult dating, etc.).
In case of continuous encounters with such advertisements/redirects, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Star Field, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Permissions asked by Star Field browser hijacker:
Website promoting Star Field browser hijacker:
Appearance of search.star-field.net redirecting to the Bing search engine (GIF):
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner
By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.
Quick menu:
- What is Star Field?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Star Field browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove search.star-field.net homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove search.star-field.net redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Star Field browser hijacker removal:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
macOS (OSX) users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently installed suspicious applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Star Field browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove Star Field browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Extensions" and click "Manage Extensions". Locate "Star Field" and other recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "Star Field", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.star-field.net) below the "Open a specific or set of pages" option. If present click on the three vertical dots icon and select "Remove".
Change your default search engine:
To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for "search.star-field.net", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the search.star-field.net redirect, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate "Star Field", as well as all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable "Star Field", remove hxxp://search.star-field.net and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.
Change your default search engine:
In the URL address bar, type "about:config" and press Enter. Click "Accept the Risk and Continue".
In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled". Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the 
button.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with search.star-field.net redirect removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...
In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.
In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.
In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage and new tab settings:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".
Change your default Internet search engine:
To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon 
near it and select "Disable".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the search.star-field.net redirect, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users to visit search.star-field.net website?
Redirects to websites like search.star-field.net are caused because cyber criminals (e.g., developers of browser hijackers and fake search engines, etc.) generate revenue through them.
Is visiting search.star-field.net a threat to my privacy?
To a certain extent, yes. Websites like search.star-field.net tend to gather (and sell) visitor data.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are predominantly distributed via bundled installers, online scams, deceptive promotional webpages, freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Star Field browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate detected browser-hijacking apps. It must be mentioned that manual removal (unaided by security tools) might not be ideal. In cases where multiple browser hijackers are present – after one is removed, the others may reinstall it. Furthermore, removal-related settings might be unmodifiable with browser-hijacking software installed. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.
Outstanding!
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