Fast Start

Computer users have been complaining that their homepages or their starting tabs on their Web browsers have been replaced or augmented by the inclusion of an application called Fast Start. Fast Start is a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program) that may affect most Web browsers. Most complaints involving Fast Start include Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox since Fast Start may add additional new tabs to the affected Web browsers, making them more difficult to use effectively. Fast Start may change your Web browser home page and new tab page automatically. Fast Start is not a dependable search engine, although Fast Start is advertised as an effective start and search tool for Web browsers. Fast Start is considered a browser hijacker and adware because Fast Start may take over a Web browser in order to expose computer users to advertising material automatically.

The Symptoms Caused by Fast Start may not be Worth the Issues It Creates

Fast Start may be bundled with free software downloaded from unreliable sources. Fast Start supposedly connects your computer to your mobile devices although there are well known, reputable applications and programs that do this without causing the various symptoms that have been linked to Fast Start. Fast Start is designed to display recommendations, coupons, deals and suggestions when computer users browse the Web. Fast Start is marketed as a helpful Web browser add-on that can help computer users save money and discover new content. However, Fast Start may cause numerous issues on affected Web browsers and is rarely worth the trouble of having to deal with these kinds of problems.

Why Fast Start may be Considered Problematic

Computer users may find that Fast Start may change certain settings on a Web browser automatically. There are countless versions of these types of PUPs, all displaying the same, similar symptoms. In fact, Fast Start may just be a variant of numerous other similar PUPs such as SpeeDial New Tab, Quick Start New Tab, Rocket New Tab and Linkey New Tab. One problem with Fast Start is that it has access to quite a bit of data and may pose a security risk. Fast Start may carry out the following tasks:

1. Fast Start may access your data for all websites that you visit.
2. Fast Start may modify and have access to your bookmarked and favorite websites.
3. Fast Start may access your Web browser history and modify it or edit it automatically.
4. Fast Start may monitor your online activity and open Web browser tabs.
5. Fast Start may manage your Web browser add-ons, extension, plug-ins, themes and similar components.

Fast Start may carry out these tasks on the most common Web browsers, such as Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome and Internet Explorer, filling your search results with advertisements and sponsored content automatically. Fast Start may display numerous pop-up advertisements and unwanted advertising content whenever the affected Web browser is used. This may indirectly expose computer users to unwanted content, other PUPs and potentially threatening online content.

How Fast Start may Enter a Computer

Computer users rarely install Fast Start voluntarily. The main way in which Fast Start is distributed is through bundling, that is, including Fast Start into the installation of other software. When a new program is downloaded from a suspicious website, the installation process may automatically include unwanted Web browser extensions and other 'helpful' components. Malware analysts strongly advise computer users to follow the installation process carefully and to opt out of any unwanted content such as Fast Start using 'Custom' or 'Advanced' installation options whenever possible. Of course, never install software you don't trust or understand.