Remove TopStreamsSearch Browser Hijacker

Proper Guide To Delete TopStreamsSearch

TopStreamsSearch is a browser hijacking application that is promoted as a Custom search extension. However, while it looks like a great way to search the web, it cannot be compared to Google, Yahoo or Bing or others that are famous for their trustworthy search results and safe searches. It is rather a potentially unwanted application than a useful website. Similar to any other browser hijacking program, it claims to be capable of improving users’ online experience by providing the best search results. However, this PUP comes secretly inside the Windows computers together with freeware applications, alters the system settings and then starts redirecting people to sponsored websites.

Depth Analysis of TopStreamsSearch:

TopStreamsSearch can compromise all the most used internet browsers including Chrome, Explorer, Firefox, Safari and so on. Typically, this unwanted program comes to your device without your approval. After it finishes making alterations to your browser, you can notice the dubious activity. Be aware that you have a cyber infection called browser hijacker, so the main issue you may run into is constant redirects to unknown or infectious web domains. While this hijacker does not have features of a hazardous virus, this fake search engine is working on generating revenues for its developers by redirecting users to predetermined sites.

While having TopStreamsSearch on your PC, you can additionally notice an increased amount of commercial contents on your favorite websites. This is the typical browser hijacker activity that makes victims eager to get rid of this PUA as soon as possible. According to the Privacy policy of this app, its makers admit having relations with third-party providers. However, this relationship means that your data might be gathered and misused by the advertisers or third parties as well.

Beware that browser hijackers, including TopStreamsSearch, can access various data, including mostly used search phrases, clicked results, PC’s IP address, location, and other user’s preferences. This is often collected to generate personalized ads and trick users into clicking them. However, repetitive clicks on ads that belong to this PUP might attract malware, so make sure you stay away from them. These ads include malicious codes and may take users to potentially infectious sites that host Trojan or Ransomware. And hence, instant TopStreamsSearch removal is highly required.

Quick Glance

Name: TopStreamsSearch

Type: Browser Hijacker, Redirect virus, Potentially unwanted program

Symptoms: Changes to default browser’s settings, default Internet search engine, Endless annoying ads, Fake pop-up messages, identity theft, new tab settings. Users are enforced to visit hijacker’s website and search the Internet using their search engines, slowness of infected system’s performance.

Short Description: Aims to redirects users to affiliated sites, promotes sponsored products, services and programs and make online revenues for the creators, Also steals users’ personal and confidential information and share them with hackers for evil purposes.

Distribution methods: Free software installers (bundling), Deceptive emails, malicious pop-ups ads, fake flash player installers.

Damage: Web browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), exhibition of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites.

Removal: To get rid of this infection and other malware threats, our security researchers recommend scanning your device with an effective anti-malware tool.

How Does This Hijacker Enter Your Device?

When you download programs from unverified sources or sites and install them using Recommended or Quick configuration, you risk getting infected with such potentially unwanted threats. When downloading software from a known provider, you can be sure that you are not getting any unwanted program or tool in a bundle. It is also wise to use only premium software providers to avoid questionable apps on your device.

However, even if it is known for everybody, users are still using P2P networks, third-party providers and similar sources to download software. Unfortunately, this increases the risk of getting various infections on your computer. According to computer researchers, you should always follow precautionary measures to prevent PUPs. Always choose Custom or Advanced installation settings when installing freeware and do not skip through steps. Custom options will let you de-select any unwanted part of the download and will keep only the needed programs. In case you are already infected with this hijacker, you are highly recommended to remove TopStreamsSearch from the machine immediately.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows Click Here For Mac

Important Note: This malware asks you to enable the web browser notifications. So, before you go the manual removal process, execute these steps.

Google Chrome (PC)

• Go to right upper corner of the screen and click on three dots to open the Menu button
• Select “Settings”. Scroll the mouse downward to choose “Advanced” option
• Go to “Privacy and Security” section by scrolling downward and then select “Content settings” and then “Notification” option
• Find each suspicious URLs and click on three dots on the right side and choose “Block” or “Remove” option

Google Chrome (Android)

• Go to right upper corner of the screen and click on three dots to open the menu button and then click on “Settings”
• Scroll down further to click on “site settings” and then press on “notifications” option
• In the newly opened window, choose each suspicious URLs one by one
• In the permission section, select “notification” and “Off” the toggle button

Mozilla Firefox

• On the right corner of the screen, you will notice three dots which is the “Menu” button
• Select “Options” and choose “Privacy and Security” in the toolbar present in the left side of the screen
• Slowly scroll down and go to “Permission” section then choose “Settings” option next to “Notifications”
• In the newly opened window, select all the suspicious URLs. Click on the drop-down menu and select “Block”

Internet Explorer

• In the Internet Explorer window, select the Gear button present on the right corner
• Choose “Internet Options”
• Select “Privacy” tab and then “Settings” under the “Pop-up Blocker” section
• Select all the suspicious URLs one by one and click on the “Remove” option

Microsoft Edge

• Open the Microsoft Edge and click on the three dots on the right corner of the screen to open the menu
• Scroll down and select “Settings”
• Scroll down further to choose “view advanced settings”
• In the “Website Permission” option, click on “Manage” option
• Click on switch under every suspicious URL

Safari (Mac):

• On the upper right side corner, click on “Safari” and then select “Preferences”
• Go to “website” tab and then choose “Notification” section on the left pane
• Search for the suspicious URLs and choose “Deny” option for each one of them

Manual Steps to Remove TopStreamsSearch:

Remove the related items of TopStreamsSearch using Control-Panel

Windows 7 Users

Click “Start” (the windows logo at the bottom left corner of the desktop screen), select “Control Panel”. Locate the “Programs” and then followed by clicking on “Uninstall Program”

Windows XP Users

Click “Start” and then choose “Settings” and then click “Control Panel”. Search and click on “Add or Remove Program’ option

Windows 10 and 8 Users:

Go to the lower left corner of the screen and right-click. In the “Quick Access” menu, choose “Control Panel”. In the newly opened window, choose “Program and Features”

Mac OSX Users

Click on “Finder” option. Choose “Application” in the newly opened screen. In the “Application” folder, drag the app to “Trash”. Right click on the Trash icon and then click on “Empty Trash”.

In the uninstall programs window, search for the PUAs. Choose all the unwanted and suspicious entries and click on “Uninstall” or “Remove”.

After you uninstall all the potentially unwanted program causing TopStreamsSearch issues, scan your computer with an anti-malware tool for any remaining PUPs and PUAs or possible malware infection. To scan the PC, use the recommended the anti-malware tool.

How to Remove Adware (TopStreamsSearch) from Internet Browsers

Delete malicious add-ons and extensions from IE

Click on the gear icon at the top right corner of Internet Explorer. Select “Manage Add-ons”. Search for any recently installed plug-ins or add-ons and click on “Remove”.

Additional Option

If you still face issues related to TopStreamsSearch removal, you can reset the Internet Explorer to its default setting.

Windows XP users: Press on “Start” and click “Run”. In the newly opened window, type “inetcpl.cpl” and click on the “Advanced” tab and then press on “Reset”.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 Users: Press the Windows logo, type inetcpl.cpl in the start search box and press enter. In the newly opened window, click on the “Advanced Tab” followed by “Reset” button.

For Windows 8 Users: Open IE and click on the “gear” icon. Choose “Internet Options”

Select the “Advanced” tab in the newly opened window

Press on “Reset” option

You have to press on the “Reset” button again to confirm that you really want to reset the IE

Remove Doubtful and Harmful Extension from Google Chrome

Go to menu of Google Chrome by pressing on three vertical dots and select on “More tools” and then “Extensions”. You can search for all the recently installed add-ons and remove all of them.

Optional Method

If the problems related to TopStreamsSearch still persists or you face any issue in removing, then it is advised that your reset the Google Chrome browse settings. Go to three dotted points at the top right corner and choose “Settings”. Scroll down bottom and click on “Advanced”.

At the bottom, notice the “Reset” option and click on it.

In the next opened window, confirm that you want to reset the Google Chrome settings by click on the “Reset” button.

Remove TopStreamsSearch plugins (including all other doubtful plug-ins) from Firefox Mozilla

Open the Firefox menu and select “Add-ons”. Click “Extensions”. Select all the recently installed browser plug-ins.

Optional Method

If you face problems in TopStreamsSearch removal then you have the option to rese the settings of Mozilla Firefox.

Open the browser (Mozilla Firefox) and click on the “menu” and then click on “Help”.

Choose “Troubleshooting Information”

In the newly opened pop-up window, click “Refresh Firefox” button

The next step is to confirm that really want to reset the Mozilla Firefox settings to its default by clicking on “Refresh Firefox” button.

Remove Malicious Extension from Safari

Open the Safari and go to its “Menu” and select “Preferences”.

Click on the “Extension” and select all the recently installed “Extensions” and then click on “Uninstall”.

Optional Method

Open the “Safari” and go menu. In the drop-down menu, choose “Clear History and Website Data”.

In the newly opened window, select “All History” and then press on “Clear History” option.

Delete TopStreamsSearch (malicious add-ons) from Microsoft Edge

Open Microsoft Edge and go to three horizontal dot icons at the top right corner of the browser. Select all the recently installed extensions and right click on the mouse to “uninstall”

Optional Method

Open the browser (Microsoft Edge) and select “Settings”

Next steps is to click on “Choose what to clear” button

Click on “show more” and then select everything and then press on “Clear” button.

Conclusion

In most cases, the PUPs and adware gets inside the marked PC through unsafe freeware downloads. It is advised that you should only choose developers website only while downloading any kind of free applications. Choose custom or advanced installation process so that you can trace the additional PUPs listed for installation along with the main program.