Resolving Browser Startup Issues Related to Malicious URLs

Have you ever experienced a frustrating scenario where your browser unexpectedly opens to an unfamiliar and potentially harmful website upon startup? I encountered a similar problem with a browser redirect to “ururgisha[.]net” after a CMD window briefly appeared during boot-up. Thankfully, I managed to resolve the issue, and I’d like to share the steps I followed in hopes that they can aid anyone facing this annoyance.

Step 1: Inspecting the Windows Registry for Startup Entries

To begin the resolution process, I first looked into the Windows Registry, where many startup programs are defined.

1. I launched the Registry Editor by pressing Win + R, then typing regedit and hitting Enter.
2. I navigated to the following path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run.
3. Here, I discovered an entry listed under my user name with the command “cmd.exe /c start www[.]dongdonger[.]org”.
4. To eliminate the threat, I right-clicked on this entry and selected Delete to remove it.

Step 2: Checking Task Scheduler for Unwanted Tasks

Next, I turned my attention to the Task Scheduler, where malicious tasks can also be set to execute at startup.

1. I accessed Task Scheduler by pressing Win + R, typing taskschd.msc, and pressing Enter.
2. After entering the Task Scheduler, I navigated to the “Task Scheduler Library”.
3. I carefully scanned the list and found a task that matched my user name.
4. Upon right-clicking the task and selecting Properties, I noted that it was programmed to run the same unwelcome command.
5. I deleted this task entirely by right-clicking and choosing Delete.

Final Step: Restarting the Computer

After performing the necessary clean-up, I restarted my computer to confirm that the issue had been resolved. To my relief, the browser no longer opened to the problematic site upon startup!

This straightforward method successfully addressed my issue, and I hope that these steps prove beneficial to anyone else encountering a similar startup nuisance. Always ensure that your system is securely configured to prevent such interruptions.