The SocialStreamSearch search hijacker is an example of an average unwanted program; such applications are promoted massively these days. On this page you will see the complete directions of “SocialStreamSearch” hijacker elimination in several ways: using anti-malware software and manual removal process.
SocialStreamSearch – What is it?
“SocialStreamSearch” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)1, that is distributed as a plugin for your internet browser. It is usually spread as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that helps to search some special information, for instance, about sporting activity events, make your browser a lot more secure, enable downloading of any type of web video, et cetera. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).
However, the “SocialStreamSearch” plugin is fairly ineffective since all such features are already built-in to your web browser and/or Windows. Such advertising and marketing slogans are targeted at low-skilled computer users, like pensioners or schoolchildren. However frequently even experienced users are getting caught on such an appeal. In certain situations, this hijacker is spread together with free apps.
SocialStreamSearch Search Hijacker
Here is a short details for the SocialStreamSearch hijacker
| NAME | SocialStreamSearch |
| Site | Socialstreamsearch.com |
| Hosting | AS13335 Cloudflare, Inc. United States, San Francisco |
| Infection Type | Browser Hijacker, Unwanted Application |
| IP Address | 104.21.74.214 |
| Symptoms | Changed search engine; search queries redirection |
| Similar behavior | Pdfconvertersearchonline, Sportsearchly, Nuthab |
| Fix Tool |
To remove possible virus infections, try to scan your PC
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How harmful is SocialStreamSearch hijacker?
Besides its uselessness, SocialStreamSearch hijacker is likewise really unsafe for web browser use. It changes your search engine to its particular – Socialstreamsearch.com, and likewise alters your background, putting its watermark on your background image (or, sometimes, changing it to default with the mentioned symbol).
Aside from viewable modifications done by SocialStreamSearch hijacker, you may see that a couple of your search questions are redirecting to the untrustworthy sites, filled with links and promotions – so-called doorway websites. Such websites can have web links for malware downloads. The chance of redirecting rises if you try to start Google search page forcibly.
But all these activities are a lot more annoying than truly harmful. The biggest danger, especially for individuals who have a considerable amount of secret information in their web browsers, is embedded in data gathering functionalities. Cookie files, conversations, often-visited sites, and other activities are simply collected by SocialStreamSearch hijacker.
How to remove SocialStreamSearch 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 generally very simple to remove. In many cases, they have an independent app that can be spotted in the list of installed programs. As a result of the particular marketing manner of SocialStreamSearch hijacker, it can be simply tracked and deleted manually. Nevertheless, if you got SocialStreamSearch in the bundle with a free program, your PC can be contaminated with much more serious malware – trojans, spyware or perhaps ransomware. That’s why I’d suggest you make use of anti-malware tools to delete the SocialStreamSearch PUA and all other malware.
You can utilize Microsoft Defender2 – it is capable of discovering and eliminating different malware, including mentioned hijacker. But major malware, that can be present on your PC in the discussed instance, can disable the Windows antivirus program by modifying the Group Policies. To minimize the chanse of such scenarios, it is better to use GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
To detect and eliminate all unwanted programs on your PC with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, it’s better to use Standard or Full scan. Quick Scan is not able to find all the malicious apps, because it checks only the most popular registry entries and folders.
You can observe the detected viruses sorted by their possible harm till the scan process. But to perform any actions against malicious programs, you need to wait until the scan is over, or to stop the scan.
To set the action for every spotted malicious or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected malicious program. By default, all the viruses will be moved to quarantine.
Reverting browser settings to original ones
To reset your browser settings, you are required to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action is not able to be counteracted by any virus, hence, you will surely see the result. This option can be found in the Tools tab.
After choosing the Reset Browser Settings button, the menu will be displayed, where you can choose, which settings will be reverted to the original.
Deleteing SocialStreamSearch 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 SocialStreamSearch?
Name: SocialStreamSearch
Description: SocialStreamSearch - 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 SocialStreamSearch?”. In this article we will show you how to deal with SocialStreamSearch (Socialstreamsearch.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
