ProStreamsSearch – a browser hijacker that redirects all search queries through a fake search site

ProStreamsSearch is a browser hijacker that changes browser settings so that all search inquires go through prostreamssearch.com. This search site is fake, meaning it doesn't generate any search results itself, it just forwards the users to yahoo.com search engine.
Due to stealthy distribution and installation methods of ProStreamsSearch browser hijacker, it is categorized as a potentially unwanted program, or PUP[1] for short. These apps are usually spread with freeware bundles, deceptive ads, and other means, but rarely do the users know how they ended up on their systems.
ProStreamsSearch browser hijacker and other browser intruders modify browser settings like the home page, default search engine, new tab preference to promote their website, in this case, the prostreamssearch.com fake search engine.
| name | ProStreamsSearch |
|---|---|
| type | Browser hijacker, fake search engine |
| Symptoms | Changed default search engine, redirects, changed home page and new tab preferences, increased number of ads |
| Issues | Browser hijackers collect browsing and personal information that could be sold to third-parties with ill intensions |
| Distribution | These PUPs are usually distributed with software bundles and deceptive ads |
| Removal | Manual ProStreamsSearch removal is possible but to be absolutely sure the browser hijacker is deleted, users should do it with anti-malware software |
| System fix | Take care of your system health with system tune-up tools like the FortectIntego app |
PUPs like ProStreamsSearch aren't categorized as malware (like Weui or CryLock), but that doesn't mean that they're completely harmless. Browser hijackers can collect browsing data,[2] such as visited sites, search queries, clicked ads or pages, etc. Furthermore, personal data too, including IP addresses, geolocations, devices' info, and so on. All of this collected info can then be sold to unrelated third-parties that could do anything with it.
Here's what we could find in the Privacy Policy section of the site:
Non-Personal Information may be automatically transmitted by the user's device. When using our Service, we assign your device with a log file, a cookie (session or persistent), web beacons or other related technologies, to collect Non-Personal Information with respect to your activity in connection with our Service.
Having a browser intruder like ProStreamsSearch installed could sometimes result in less than secure ads exposure. For example, you might end up on a website which claims that your system needs a Flash Player to proceed, resulting in another PUP or malware infiltration.

We suggest you remove ProStreamsSearch sooner than later for your own wellbeing. You uninstall it manually or delete it with powerful anti-malware software like SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes just to make sure it's really gone.
After ProStreamsSearch removal, experts[3] recommend using a powerful system tweaking tool like the FortectIntego app. This could prove exceptionally helpful if you found other unknown applications or malware on your system, as the latter is known to change the registry and run background processes.
Spreading techniques of PUPs
Browser hijackers and PUPs alike are most commonly spread with freeware bundles. And when Quick installation is chosen, all the app of the bundle get installed, because all boxes opting for the installation are pre-selected. That's how most of the computer users are tricked.
Many people are in a rush and no one ever has time to do Advanced/Custom installations instead of the Quick/Standard ones. Reading the terms and conditions are totally out of the question. And that's where the developers of such PUPs catch the unsuspecting users.
To avoid PUPs you just have to take your time and chose the Advanced or Custom installation option and then go slowly step by step, removing ticks from pre-ticked boxes of programs that you have no interest in having on your device.

Remove ProStreamsSearch from your device with the help of our instructions
Although a browser hijacker isn't considered to be malware, it can still cause major inconvenience to and subject computer owners to privacy risks. Besides, the annoying ads and redirects to Yahoo will never go away. Users can remove ProStreamsSearch manually, but to make sure no other PUPs were installed and are running in the background, anti-malware software should be used as well.
Once ProStreamsSearch removal is complete, it is important that the users don't forget about the overall health of their devices. PUPs make alterations in the system registry and other core system files, so a full system scan with a powerful system tune-up tool is in order.
Uninstall from Windows
Uninstall from Windows 10/8:
- Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.

Remove the unwanted program:
- In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
- If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.

Delete from macOS
Remove the unwanted application:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).

Delete leftover files and folders:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
- Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.

- Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.
Reset Internet Explorer
Remove dangerous add-ons:
- Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
- Pick Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.

Change your homepage if it was altered:
- Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
- Select Internet Options.
- In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
- Click Apply and then select OK.

Delete temporary files:
- Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
- Under Browsing history, click Delete...
- Select relevant fields and press Delete.

Reset Internet Explorer:
- Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
- Select Reset.
- In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.

Remove from Microsoft Edge
Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:
- Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
- From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
- Click Remove.

Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.

Restore new tab and homepage settings:
- Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
- Then find On startup section.
- Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.
Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:
- Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
- Select Details tab.
- Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge
Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and site data:
- Click on Menu and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy, search and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Under Time range, pick All time.
- Select Clear now.

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- On the left side, pick Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- Confirm with Reset.
- This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
- Select Add-ons.
- In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.

Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Settings.
- Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data...
- Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.

Reset Mozilla Firefox
If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
- Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.

- Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
- Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.

Remove from Google Chrome
Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
- Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
- In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:
- Click on Menu and pick Settings.
- Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
- Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data.

Change your homepage:
- Click menu and choose Settings.
- Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
- Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.
Reset Google Chrome:
If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
- Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
- Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Confirm with Reset settings.

Delete from Safari
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
- Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.

Clear history and website data:
- Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
- Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.

Reset Safari:
- Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
- Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.

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