Remove StreamSiteSearch (Virus Removal Guide)

StreamSiteSearch – a potentially unwanted application that delivers sponsored search results

StreamSiteSearch

StreamSiteSearch is a browser-hijacking app that mainly spreads via software bundle packages, resulting in a stealthy infiltration. Once installed, it sets homepage and new tab address to portal.streamssitesearch.com, applies a customized search engine and begins redirecting all search results to Yahoo. Additionally, the hijacker inserts sponsored links into these results and increases the number of advertisements users see while browsing the web.

In most cases, StreamSiteSearch hijack comes as a browser extension for Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, MS Edge, or another web browser, although its associated changes might be related to a program installed on a Mac or Windows computer. Therefore, in order to revert the unwanted changes, you need to delete the associated extension or uninstall the extension that is appended to your web browser.

Name	StreamSiteSearch
Type	Browser hijacker, potentially unwanted program
IP address	172.67.158.33
Distribution	Software bundle packages, deceptive ads, fake update prompts
Symptoms	StreamSiteSearch extension installed on the web browser Suspicious app(s) installed on the computer The homepage and new tab address is set to portal.streamssitesearch.com All searches redirect to search.yahoo.com Search results are filled with sponsored links and ads
Risks	Installation of other potentially unwanted programs, privacy risks due to information gathering practices, financial losses
Removal	You can uninstall potentially unwanted programs by following the manual guide below or by scanning the computer with powerful anti-malware
Optional steps	In case anti-malware found threats, we also recommend resetting all the installed web browsers and then performing additional checks with Fortect Intego repair software

While the security of common web browsers was vastly improved over the years, Browser hijackers are still extremely common. StreamSiteSearch is one of many PUPs that belongs to a broader family of similar apps, which virtually look almost identical (StreamBrosSearch, MovieSearches, HDSportSearchs, etc.). The only difference is the name and an icon/theme used by each of the extensions. Likely, the developer is simply rebranding the same app to avoid anti-malware software detection.

Just as its predecessors, StreamSiteSearch implies that it can help users to find sites that they can find videos streams on. In reality, this browser hijacker does not differ from all its other versions and only provides a few “perks” that users find useful, for example, Currency Converter, Calculator, PDF Converter, or Crypto Converter.

Besides these few features, StreamSiteSearch hijacker provides a very basic search functionality, all while using a legitimate Yahoo search engine in the process. Unlike the real Yahoo, however, it inserts additional sponsored links when users attempt to search the internet. As a result, instead of seeing organic results, they are provided with fake ones – essentially, these are ads.

By doing so, the developers of the app attempt to monetize users' clicks on these ads. As a side effect of this, users are forced to browse via a hijacked browser, which can greatly diminish web browsing experience – they might struggle to find relevant information or encounter ads more frequently than they would like.

StreamSiteSearch tracking

If you are still wondering whether it is a good idea to remove StreamSiteSearch, you should check its privacy policy. It is explained that a variety of information is collected for marketing purposes with the help of cookies, web beacons, and other tracking technologies:^[1]

The Non-Personal Information which is being collected may include technical information automatically transmitted by the user's device (for example, type of browser, the type of the user's device and technical information pertaining to the user's device, language preferences, time stamps, clicks and visited pages, search logs, the operating system, utilized internet service provider and other similar information.

Thus, if you value your privacy, you should not delay StreamSiteSearch removal. For that, you should access your web browser settings and eliminate the associated extension. As a precautionary measure, we advise you to scan your machine with Malwarebytes Malwarebytes security software and then, if something else was found, with Fortect Intego to repair any type of system damage.

Protecting your device from hijackers and PUPs

Most of the users by now are aware that downloading pirated programs or clicking on suspicious links is dangerous and can result in malware infections. Potentially unwanted programs are a completely different matter, as many users claim that they find them on their systems seemingly out of nowhere. However, it is not accurate, as users install PUPs themselves, even though they did not intend to do so in the first place.

This is because browser hijackers, adware, and other PUPs are commonly distributed via software bundle packages downloaded from third-party websites. Typically, an installed includes several components that are deliberately hidden from users' sight. Here's what can be used in order to trick you into installing unwanted software:

Recommended settings are often provided as an easy and quick way to install an app – big mistake.
Pre-ticked checkboxes are commonly used to make users install optional apps;
Fine print text can include details about the installation of a browser hijacker or another PUP;
Misleading button placements (for example, users are used to clicking buttons on the right to proceed – that is where an offer to install Web Companion or another useless software is presented).

Therefore, experts^[2] recommend being extremely vigilant when installing apps from third-party sources – never rush the process, check each installation step carefully, and always pick Advanced/Custom settings if such choice is provided.

Easy way to delete StreamSiteSearch

In most cases, StreamSiteSearch removal should not be a difficult process, as all you have to do is to get rid of the extension on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or another browser you are using. However, members of this PUP family are known to apply the “Managed by your organization” feature that takes over users' web browsers and prevents addons from being removed. In such a case, you should reset your web browser, as explained below.

If you are still unable to remove StreamSiteSearch virus from your system, you should check for the installed apps. Alternatively, you can employ powerful anti-malware tools (such as SpyHunter Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes Malwarebytes) to find all the malicious components for you. If something like a Trojan^[3] or another dangerous malware is found, we also highly recommend performing a scan with repair software Fortect Intego after the threat is eliminated.

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.

How to remove StreamSiteSearch

StreamSiteSearch – a potentially unwanted application that delivers sponsored search results

Protecting your device from hijackers and PUPs