CoolStreamSearch – a PUP that redirects all search traffic through a fake search site

CoolStreamSearch is a browser hijacker that alters the browser's default search engine, new tab, and homepage preferences without direct consent from the user. That's done to reroute all search inquiries through a fake search engine by the same name. In the end, depending on user geolocation, they end up on Yahoo search or are redirected through search.onlinebars.xyz to Bing search.
By doing that, CoolStreamSearch.com browser hijacker is able to collect various browsing-related data, such as search inquiries, IP addresses, geolocations, and so on. This information may be shared with third-parties with ill intentions. It's distributed through freeware bundles and deceptive ads.
Due to its nature, this browser hijacker is categorized as a potentially unwanted program[1] and thus shouldn't be used by anyone. Whether you installed it willingly or it got onto your device out of the blue, it's time to get rid of it. And since we're here to help you, we'll explain to you how to do it without breaking a sweat.
| name | CoolStreamSearch |
|---|---|
| type | Browser hijacker, PUP, redirect virus |
| IP address | 172.67.159.167 |
| Alter browser settings | Default search engine, new tab, and start page are changed to promote the fake search site in coolstreamsearch.com |
| symptoms | Modified browser settings redirect to a fake search site and other shady websites. An increased amount of ads. Slower browsing speed and overall device performance |
| Risks | Hazardous redirects, browsing activity tracking, installation of PUPs |
| Removal | The best tools to deal with PUPs and malware are reliable anti-malware apps that can protect systems and remove infections |
| System fix | To properly clean your device and restore corrupted system settings/files, use the powerful FortectIntego system repair tool |
There are tons of browser hijackers, such as Charmsearching virus, Junkie web virus, Best Searcher virus, and of course, the culprit of this article CoolStreamSearch virus. Sometimes users can download them from official browser web stores where they are advertised as tools that will improve the overall browsing experience, safety, privacy, and other false claims.
In reality, all these PUPs do is redirect all traffic through a fake search site or a chain of them until the results from legitimate search engines are shown. Browser hijackers alter these results by inserting ads in them as recommended searches, results, or just show ads the usual way, with pop-ups, banners, and methods alike.
Apart from showing ads, CoolStreamSearch PUP could be capable of collecting your various browsing habits, from visited sites to what ads you click on. This information is commonly used to show you specifically tailored ads. But if this gathered data ends up in the wrong hands, you could face serious privacy issues.

Therefore, you must remove CoolStreamSearch from your devices and browser as soon as possible. For this task, you'll need reliable anti-malware software. If you have one – great! If not, we recommend downloading either SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes. Open the security tool, scan the whole system and stick with its recommendations to eliminate all suspicious files, including the PUP in question.
You might need to get your hands dirty to finish CoolStreamSearch removal. We provided detailed instructions for that in our removal section at the bottom of the page. Once the PUP is completely gone, experts[2] recommend performing a system repair with the FortectIntego tool to fix any issues and clean up your device.
Browser hijackers and other PUPs are usually installed with software bundles
Junkware, such as browser hijackers, adware, and others, is very annoying and can pose threats to your privacy and security. Although PUPs can sometimes be downloaded from legitimate websites and official browser stores, the most common way to get them is through software bundles.[3]

Lots of software vendors include PUPs in their program packs. And if you don't pay attention to the installation process, browser hijackers are installed with every other app offered in the bundle. Therefore, if you desperately want an app but it's within a bundle, under no circumstances don't choose the Standard or Recommended installation mode.
Only by choosing the Advanced or Custom mode will you be able to deselect all apps from the pack that you have no interest in. Go step by step and make sure that the only app that's installed is the one that you wanted in the first place. It would be best if you refrained from using software bundles and downloaded apps directly from their developers.
Guidelines on how to remove CoolStreamSearch.com browser hijacker from affected devices and browsers
Whether you installed CoolStreamSearch virus by mistake or willingly, it shouldn't be used. PUPs advertise one another, i.e., if you have one of them, others might be on your doorstep. They usually don't improve anything, and in fact, they only impede normal system performance.
So remove CoolStreamSearch by performing a full system scan with trustworthy anti-malware software. Always use security tools to get rid of questionable files or apps safely. If any of the symptoms persist, use our manual removal guides posted below.
Once CoolStreamSearch removal is completed, take care of the health of your system. Corrupted system files, tracking cookies, altered system settings might result in slow performance, crashing, and other issues. Therefore, use system repair tools that can take care of these problems automatically.
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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