The StreamSearchApp search hijacker is an example of a common unwanted program; such applications are spread enormously nowadays. On this page you will see the precise instructions of “StreamSearchApp” hijacker removal in various ways: using anti-malware tools and manual removal procedure.
StreamSearchApp – What is it?
“StreamSearchApp” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)1, that is promoted as a plugin for your internet browser. It is typically promoted as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that aids to search some particular information, for instance, about sporting activity events, make your web browser a lot more safe, allow downloading of any type of video clip, et cetera. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).
Nevertheless, the “StreamSearchApp” plugin is fairly useless because all such features are already built-in to your web browser and/or Windows. Such advertising and marketing mottos are targeted at low-skilled computer users, like pensioners or schoolchildren. However often even skilled users are getting caught on such an attraction. In particular situations, this hijacker is distributed together with free programs.
Here is a short summary for the StreamSearchApp hijacker
NAME | StreamSearchApp |
Site | Streamsearchapp.com |
Hosting | AS13335 Cloudflare, Inc. United States, San Francisco |
Infection Type | Browser Hijacker, Unwanted Application |
IP Address | 104.21.56.37 |
Symptoms | Changed search engine; search queries redirection |
Similar behavior | Mybrowser, Searchvzc, Hdmusicstreamsearches |
Fix Tool | To remove possible virus infections, try to scan your PC |
How harmful is StreamSearchApp hijacker?
Besides its impracticality, StreamSearchApp hijacker is additionally really hazardous for browser use. It modifies your search engine to its particular – Streamsearchapp.com, and additionally transforms your background, putting its watermark on your wallpaper (or, sometimes, changing it to default with the specified sign).
In addition to seeable alterations done by StreamSearchApp hijacker, you may see that a couple of your search queries are redirecting to the dubious sites, full of web links and advertisements – so-called doorway websites. Such sites can include links for malware downloads. The possibility of redirecting rises if you try to start Google search page by force.
However all these activities are a lot more annoying than truly hazardous. The most significant risk, especially for people who have a great deal of confidential information in their browsers, is installed in data collecting functionalities. Cookie files, conversations, often-visited web pages, and various other activities are simply collected by StreamSearchApp hijacker.
How to remove StreamSearchApp 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 typically rather simple to remove. In many cases, they have an independent app that can be spotted in the list of installed applications. Because of the specific marketing tactic of StreamSearchApp hijacker, it can be simply tracked and erased by hand. However, if you got StreamSearchApp in the bundle with a free applications, your PC can be contaminated with a lot more serious malware – trojans, spyware and even ransomware. That’s why I’d advise you make use of anti-malware programs to delete the StreamSearchApp PUA and all other malware.
You can make use of Microsoft Defender2 – it is capable of recognizing and removing different malware, including named hijacker. Nevertheless, serious malware, that can exist on your computer in the mentioned case, can disable the Windows antivirus tool by editing the Group Policies. To avoid such situations, it is far better to make use of GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
To detect and delete all malicious applications on your desktop with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, it’s better to use Standard or Full scan. Quick Scan is not able to find all the malware, because it checks only the most popular registry entries and directories.
You can see the detected malware sorted by their possible harm simultaneously with the scan process. But to choose any actions against malicious apps, you need to wait until the scan is over, or to stop the scan.
To set the action for each spotted virus or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected malicious program. By default, all malware will be removed to quarantine.
Reverting browser settings to original ones
To revert your browser settings, you need to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action is not able to be intercepted by any virus, hence, you will surely see the result. This option can be located in the Tools tab.
After pressing the Reset Browser Settings option, the menu will be shown, where you can choose, which settings will be reverted to the original.
Deleteing StreamSearchApp 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 StreamSearchApp?
Name: StreamSearchApp
Description: StreamSearchApp - 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 StreamSearchApp?”. In this article we will show you how to deal with StreamSearchApp (Streamsearchapp.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