The ClickStreamSearch search hijacker is an example of a basic unwanted program; such applications are promoted massively these days. In this article you will see the complete instructions of “ClickStreamSearch” hijacker elimination in different methods: utilizing anti-malware programs and also manual removal method.
ClickStreamSearch – What is it?
“ClickStreamSearch” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)1, that is distributed as a plugin for your web browser. It is typically spread as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that assists to browse some specific information, for example, about sporting activity events, make your web browser a lot more safe, allow downloading of any web video, and so on. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).
Nevertheless, the “ClickStreamSearch” plugin is pretty useless because all such features are already integrated to your web browser and/or Windows. Such advertising and marketing mottos are targeted at low-skilled computer users, like pensioners or schoolchildren. But often even qualified users are getting caught on such a lure. In particular instances, this hijacker is dispersed along with free software.
Here is a short details for the ClickStreamSearch hijacker
NAME | ClickStreamSearch |
Site | Clickstreamsearch.com |
Hosting | AS13335 Cloudflare, Inc. United States, San Francisco |
Infection Type | Browser Hijacker, Unwanted Application |
IP Address | 104.21.67.123 |
Symptoms | Changed search engine; search queries redirection |
Similar behavior | Search, Secure, Websearchsport/ |
Fix Tool | To remove possible virus infections, try to scan your PC |
How harmful is ClickStreamSearch hijacker?
Besides its uselessness, ClickStreamSearch hijacker is additionally fairly hazardous for web browser usage. It alters your search engine to its specific – Clickstreamsearch.com, and also changes your background, putting its watermark on your background image (or, sometimes, changing it to default with the mentioned sign).
Aside from seeable alterations done by ClickStreamSearch hijacker, you might see that a number of your search questions are redirecting to the uncertain websites, filled with web links and advertisements – so-called doorway websites. Such websites can contain web links for malware downloads. The chance of redirecting increases if you attempt to start Google search page forcibly.
But all these activities are much more bothersome than really hazardous. The biggest danger, specifically for individuals who have a huge amount of secret information in their web browsers, is embedded in data gathering functions. Cookie files, chats, often-visited web pages, and other activities are easily collected by ClickStreamSearch hijacker.
How to remove ClickStreamSearch search hijacker?
- Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
- Open GridinSoft Anti-Malware and perform a “Standard scan“.
- “Move to quarantine” all items.
- Open “Tools” tab – Press “Reset Browser Settings“.
- Select proper browser and options – Click “Reset”.
- Restart your computer.
Browser hijackers are almost always fairly simple to remove. In many cases, they have a separate application that can be spotted in the list of installed software. Because of the certain distribution way of ClickStreamSearch hijacker, it can be simply tracked and erased by hand. Nonetheless, if you got ClickStreamSearch in the package with a free applications, your PC might be contaminated with much more harmful malware – trojans, spyware and even ransomware. That’s why I’d advise you make use of anti-malware tools to remove the ClickStreamSearch PUA and all various other malware.
You can utilize Microsoft Defender2 – it is capable of detecting and removing different malware, including named hijacker. Nevertheless, significant malware, that can be present on your PC in the specified case, can disable the Windows antivirus program by editing the Group Policies. To prevent such circumstances, it is better to use GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
To detect and eliminate all malicious programs on your PC with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, it’s better to utilize Standard or Full scan. Quick Scan is not able to find all the malware, because it scans only the most popular registry entries and directories.
You can see the detected malicious apps sorted by their possible harm during the scan process. But to choose any actions against the viruses, you need to wait until the scan is over, or to stop the scan.
To choose the action for every spotted virus or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected malicious program. By default, all the viruses will be removed to quarantine.
Reset browser settings to original ones
To reset your browser settings, you are required to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action cannot be intercepted by any virus, hence, you will surely see the result. This option can be found in the Tools tab.
After pressing the Reset Browser Settings option, the menu will be shown, where you can specify, which settings will be reverted to the original.
Deleteing ClickStreamSearch hijacker manually
Besides using anti-malware software for browser restoration, you may choose the “Reset browser settings” function, which is usually embedded in all popular browsers.
To reset Edge, do the following steps :
- Open “Settings and more” tab in upper right corner, then find here “Settings” button. In the appeared menu, choose “Reset settings” option :
- After picking the Reset Settings option, you will see the following menu, stating about the settings which will be reverted to original :
For Mozilla Firefox, do the next actions :
- Open Menu tab (three strips in upper right corner) and click the “Help” button. In the appeared menu choose “troubleshooting information” :
- In the next screen, find the “Refresh Firefox” option :
After choosing this option, you will see the next message :
If you use Google Chrome
- Open Settings tab, find the “Advanced” button. In the extended tab choose the “Reset and clean up” button :
- In the appeared list, click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” :
- Finally, you will see the window, where you can see all the settings which will be reset to default :
Opera can be reset in the next way
- Open Settings menu by pressing the gear icon in the toolbar (left side of the browser window), then click “Advanced” option, and choose “Browser” button in the drop-down list. Scroll down, to the bottom of the settings menu. Find there “Restore settings to their original defaults” option :
- After clicking the “Restore settings…” button, you will see the window, where all settings, which will be reset, are shown :
As an afterword, I want to say that time plays against you and your PC. The activity of browser hijacker must be stopped as soon as possible, because of the possibility of other malware injection. This malware can be downloaded autonomously, or offered for you to download in one of the windows with advertisements, which are shown to you by the hijacker. You need to act as fast as you can.
I need your help to share this guide.
Browser hijackers are among the largest and also disruptive kinds of malware. I published this article to help you, so I wish you will help me to make the computer world completely clean of malware. Please, share this article in the social networks you use – Twitter, Reddit, Facebook – wherever.
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Wilbur WoodhamHow to Remove ClickStreamSearch?
Name: ClickStreamSearch
Description: ClickStreamSearch - a lot of users became a victim of browser hijacker. I have a lot of friends who literally bombed me with the questions like “how to remove ClickStreamSearch?”. In this article we will show you how to deal with ClickStreamSearch (Clickstreamsearch.com), which may corrupt your browser’s correct performance, and create a lot of troubles while you are working.
Operating System: Windows
Application Category: Browser Hijacker
User Review
( votes)References
- More information about PUAs
- Detailed review of Microsoft Defender