How To Remove StreamsSearchWeb Hijacker

Complete Guideline To Delete StreamsSearchWeb

StreamsSearchWeb is a potentially unwanted program, categorized as a browser hijacker that usually infiltrates the Windows computers as an extension for Chrome, Firefox and other browser. People often don’t install these types of PUPs with intent instead, they install it with freeware without their knowledge. This perilous hijacker claims to provide video steaming features and hence, many users download it intentionally. As soon as the threat penetrates the computer, it alters the home page and new tab URL to streamssearchweb.com which includes a customized search engine to the start page. The PUP aims to boost traffic for third-party websites and generate quick online revenues for the developers.

Know More About StreamsSearchWeb:

While using the search tool promoted by StreamsSearchWeb, you will get results different from before and are often redirected to search.yahoo.com. Moreover, results usually contain sponsored links and commercial contents at the top, which increases the chance of getting more clicks from users. Unexpected modifications to default browser’s settings make victims believe that a PUP is installed in their devices. Nonetheless, most of the times, these perilous threats enter the device as an extension or an application. As soon as a browser hijacker is installed, it changes the way a browser operates. Here are a few symptoms that take place after the StreamsSearchWeb infection:

• Homepage and new tab address are set to streamssearchweb.com;
• All search results are redirected to Yahoo;
• Ads and links are shown at the top of search results instead of genuine ones;
• An extension is installed on the browser without permission;
• Overall decreased performance of the web browser.

In the background, the PUP would also collect multiple data about users that includes approximate location, IP address, internet provider, installed apps on the device, search queries entered, links clicked, timestamps, and much more.

Information gathered by StreamsSearchWeb is utilized by the advertisers to generate and displays eye-catching advertisements in order to get as many clicks on them as possible and earn maximum profits via pay-per-click mechanism. Moreover, your personal and confidential data relating to banking and credit card details could be also stolen and misused by scammers for deceptive transaction or purchases. And hence, presence of this nasty hijacker in your computer may lead to huge financial loss. And so, a quick StreamsSearchWeb removal is strongly required from the work-station.

Threat Details 

Name: StreamsSearchWeb  

Type: Browser hijacker, Redirect virus, Potentially unwanted program

Short Description: Changes to default browser’s settings, Redirects users to affiliated web pages, promotes sponsored products, services and programs and make online profits for the creators. 

Symptoms: Altered home page, search engine, new tab settings, regular appearance of intrusive adverts, redirects to unknown domains, fake pop-up messages, identity theft. Users are enforced to search the Internet using fake search engines, slowness of infected system’s performance.

Distribution methods: Free software installers (bundling), 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.

Ways To Spread StreamsSearchWeb:

PUPs such as browser hijackers and adware are typically spread via software bundling method which usually results in the unintended installation for the users. This usually occurs when people download the application from third-party sites like cnet.com, soft.com, softonic.com, download.com etc. and then carry out the installation process using the ‘Quick’ or ‘Recommended’ mode sets. These options usually don’t reveal the components that are added to the software package and hence, they manage to get into the machine without users’ knowledge.

How To Prevent PUP Intrusion?

It is best to avoid PUPs altogether. All you have to do is be attentive during the installation of freeware apps that you download from third party websites and be overall more careful about what you install on your system. You should always pick the Advanced/Custom option if such is provided as it would allow you to stay in control of the process from start to finish. Also, be aware of pre-ticked boxes, misleading button placements, fine print text, and other tricks that might be used by app authors and distributors. But at the moment, you must remove StreamsSearchWeb from the computer without wasting any time.

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 StreamsSearchWeb:

Remove the related items of StreamsSearchWeb 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 StreamsSearchWeb 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 (StreamsSearchWeb) 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 StreamsSearchWeb 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 StreamsSearchWeb 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 StreamsSearchWeb 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 StreamsSearchWeb 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 StreamsSearchWeb (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.

h