UltimateStreamSearch – a browser hijacker that changes default search engine to ultimatestreamsearch.com

UltimateStreamSearch is defined as a browser hijacker due to the fact that it changes numerous browser settings – the new tab and the home page preferences, the default search engine. All that is done to promote a fake search site ultimatestreamsearch.com by redirecting all search inquiries through it.
Portal.ultimatestreamsearch.com is deemed a fake search site for the reason that it doesn't provide any search results by itself. As soon as a user of this browser hijacker inputs a search, a new window with results from search.yahoo.com is opened.
This kind of software can be considered as a potentially unwanted program[1] (or PUP for short) due to its stealthy distribution and installation techniques. Also, browser hijackers are known to be able to gather various personal and browsing data. That might include search queries, IP addresses, geolocations, visited sites, and others.
| name | UltimateStreamSearch |
|---|---|
| type | Browser hijacker |
| Distribution | Although it can be downloaded from official browser web stores, most PUPs get installed with software bundles |
| Symptoms | All search inquires go through Portal.ultimatestreamsearch.com. New tad and Startpage are also changed to this fake search engine |
| Risks | Browser hijackers might collect private and browsing data, which might be sold to unrelated third-parties |
| Similar software | ProStreamsSearch, HDMusicStreamSearch, TopSportsSearch, LoveSportsSearch |
| Removal | The PUP should be removed manually, and then a full system scan with reliable anti-malware software is recommended |
| System health | To make sure that no critical system values were changed, it's recommended to check the system with repair tools like the FortectIntego app after the UltimateStreamSearch removal procedure |
Although UltimateStreamSearch virus, and similar PUPs, can be downloaded from different browser web stores, the most common way for this type of software to get installed on a computer is sneaking in unknowingly to the user with freeware or software installation bundles.
As we've mentioned in the opening statement, browser hijackers have the capability to collect personal and browsing information, which might be shared or sold to someone with ill intentions. That being said, UltimateStreamSearch removal should be done for your own safety.
As this PUP is affecting most browsers – Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari and others, we compiled free removal instructions at the bottom of this page. When you remove UltimateStreamSearch, a full scan with reliable anti-malware software like SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes is recommended to make sure no other PUPs were installed.

Browser hijackers can also do extensive damage to system files and settings. Registry entries, keys, application functionality, and startup preferences might get significantly affected and intrude your everyday activities on the PC. For that reason, experts[2] recommend using a system tune-up tool like the FortectIntego app to scan the whole system and fix whatever alterations the UltimateStreamSearch intruder might have done.
Paying attention to what you install on your device ensures you don't get PUPs
Most of the potentially unwanted programs are installed without the direct consent of the device owners. These applications get into computers with so-called freeware or software bundles, meaning that more than one app is offered and installed at once.
Distributors of such PUPs know that people are always in a rush in this day and age, and they don't have time to read Terms & Conditions and choose Advanced/Custom installation modes instead of Standard/Quick ones. And that's where they catch their victims.

All boxes opting in for installation of all additional software in the bundle are pre-ticked, so as soon as the user chooses Quick/Standard installation, every app on the bundle is installed. To evade PUPs from getting into your devices, the main thing is not to rush.
Always choose Custom/Advanced installation and go step by step from there. This way, the user can deselect the pre-ticked boxes agreeing to install various unwanted applications, and see what PUPs would he have gotten if he chose the other method.
System health check and UltimateStreamSearch removal
As we've stated before, keeping the UltimateStreamSearch virus in your device could be hazardous for at least a couple of reasons. So if you're not happy with what the PUP offers, try to uninstall it manually with our free detailed instructions provided below this paragraph.
Having potentially unwanted programs installed on your device could cause the installation of additional PUPs or even malware,[3] so after you remove UltimateStreamSearch, we recommend performing a full system scan with trustworthy anti-virus software.
Following UltimateStreamSearch removal, we suggest using system repair tools to revert any changes that the browser hijacker might have caused to the system registry and other core system settings. These changes might impede overall performance, cause crashes, overheating, etc.
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.

Was this guide helpful?
Be the first to comment