Remove StreamsSearchWeb (Removal Guide)

StreamsSearchWeb is a potentially unwanted application you should not keep on your web browser

StreamsSearchWeb

StreamsSearchWeb is a browser-hijacking application that typically arrives as an extension for Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, MS Edge, or another web browser. In most cases, however, users do not install it intentionally but instead, download it along with freeware^[1] from third-party websites. Alternatively, some might believe that the app is useful due to its promised video streaming features.

Once installed, this potentially unwanted program^[2] changes the homepage and the tab URL to portal.streamssearchweb.com, which applies a customized search engine to the start page. When using it, users will soon notice that the search results are different from before – they are being redirected to search.yahoo.com. Additionally, results are also filled with sponsored links and ads – these are populated at the top so that more users would click on them.

Name	StreamsSearchWeb
Type	Browser hijacker, potentially unwanted program
IP address	104.24.107.50
Distribution	Software bundle packages, deceptive ads, fake update prompts
Symptoms	StreamsSearchWeb extension or is installed on the browser; other unknown apps present on the device; homepage and new tab address are set to portal.streamssearchweb.com; search results are filled with sponsored links and ads that are placed at the top
Risks	Installation of other potentially unwanted programs, privacy risks due, 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	Computer infections can cause significant damage to system files or disrupt normal settings. To revert these changes and remediate the OS, perform a full system scan with Fortect Intego repair software

Since users find browser hijackers installed seemingly out of nowhere after unintentionally granting the permission for installation, seeing unexpected browser changes makes them believe that they have installed a StreamsSearchWeb virus on their machines. However, in most cases, it is nothing more than a browser extension or an application that invaded their computers.

In other cases, users might install the PUP due to its alleged functionality – easy searches for streaming content (at least that is what the name implies), misleadingly believing that it can be useful. However, beyond the regular search tool, the app does not provide only a few built-in tools that can be accessed via the main page, which include:

Crypto Converter
Calculator
Currency Converter
PDF converter

These features are merely used as a trick to keep people interested and make them keep an app instead of performing StreamsSearchWeb removal. Despite this, these functions are also not revolutionary – Google can provide all of them within a few seconds of searching.

In the meantime, users are fed with advertisements and are forced to visit Yahoo provider instead of, let's say, Google. The top search results, which are essentially ads, are not provided by the former but instead inserted through the browser hijacker. This allows the developers to monetize users' clicks easier, as they are more likely to click on the very top of the search results instead of genuine ones shown below.

The app is also known for the information gathering practices, as it collects technical details (browser, language, installed extensions or apps, operating system versions, timestamps) and browsing data (search queries, links clicked, sites visited, etc.) with the help of technologies such as cookies or web beacons. These details might later be shared with service providers and other third parties, according to the privacy policy of the app.

StreamsSearchWeb hijack

Deceptive distribution techniques, intrusive advertisements, and information tracking are not uncommon traits of browser hijackers. In fact, StreamsSearchWeb belongs to a broader family of browser extensions that are being released in regular intervals. ProSearchConverter, StreaminSearchs, UltimateStreamSearch, UltimateStreamSearch, and many others are just a copy of one another – the only difference is the name and the icon used for a particular tool.

In other words, hijacker's authors are trying to avoid bad publicity by changing the name over, providing no additional features, and misleading users by using terms that impose functions that don't exist in the first place.

To remove StreamsSearchWeb from your device, you need to find and eliminate the related browser extension – we provide more details below. Industry experts^[3] also advise performing a full system scan with reputable anti-malware software, such as SpyHunter Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes Malwarebytes, to ensure that no high-level threats are present on your device. If something was found and removed, we also recommend using Fortect Intego for the best results.

You can easily prevent installation of browser hijackers

As already mentioned, most browser hijackers and other potentially unwanted programs typically arrive on users' systems without asking for direct permission. This happens due to a cleverly executed distribution technique known as bundling, where several applications are compiled into a single installer. Users are known to pay insufficient attention while installing new apps, and distributors are well aware of that (this is the main reason why bundling works so well).

Just to give a few examples, here are the tricks that distributors and developers use:

Use pre-ticked boxes
Advise users pick Recommended/Quick settings during the installation
Place buttons in wrong places (right site to accept the offer and left one to decline it)
Use fine print that details that other apps would be installed on the system
Use misleading download buttons within the download website (this is especially prevalent on torrent and similar sites that distribute pirated software).

Thus, never rush through steps, as default settings might lead result in the installation of not only browser hijackers but also adware and malware such as ransomware. Always pick Advanced/Custom settings if prompted, and then get rid of all the ticks from the checkboxes.

StreamsSearchWeb virus

Easy StreamsSearchWeb removal solution

Unexpected web browser changes should never be simply ignored, as this typically indicates an intrusion of a potentially unwanted program, namely, a browser hijacker. All types of PUPs can be downloaded from various sources, some being safe and others – not so much. Therefore, not only should you remove StreamsSearchWeb from your web browser, but you should also check for other unwanted programs as well as malware on your system. You can use our manual guide below to find PUPs or scan the device with powerful anti-malware to eliminate everything in one go.

Keep in mind that many extensions that hijack browsers are not considered malicious, thus will not be flagged by most anti-malware solutions. To remove StreamsSearchWeb from your web browser, you should access the settings section and terminate the extension from there. If you have never dealt with this process before, we provide a detailed guide below. It is also recommended to clean your Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or any other used browser after all the infections are eliminated to prevent continuous tracking and delete other unwanted components remaining.

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 StreamsSearchWeb

StreamsSearchWeb is a potentially unwanted application you should not keep on your web browser

You can easily prevent installation of browser hijackers