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  • Active
  • Severity: Medium
  • Browser Hijackers
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Apr 2021

How to remove YourStreamSearch

A step-by-step removal guide for affected devices. Follow the verified procedure below — most readers complete it in under 10 minutes.

Ugnius Kiguolis · The mastermind

YourStreamSearch – a browser hijacker that modifies settings without your direct consent

YourStreamSearch browser hijacker

YourStreamSearch is a potentially unwanted program that can affect Windows and Mac devices. When it's in the system, it changes the default search engine, homepage, and new tab preferences on your browser. By doing so, this browser hijacker can redirect all search inquiries through a fake search engine in feed.yourstreamsearch.com.

Search results are shown from either Yahoo, Bing, or another legitimate provider but with a slight alteration – advertisements. They are shown as search recommendations and might even be displayed as notifications. These ads could lead to dangerous portals, so you should refrain from clicking on any of them.

One more concern about YourStreamSearch browser hijacker is that it is also capable of collecting browsing-related data. Thus you shouldn't install it and if you did, remove it. By reading this article, you'll find out how to do that and how to restore your device to a pre-contamination phase.

name YourStreamSearch
Type Browser hijacker, redirect virus, PUP
Altered browser settings Homepage, new tab, default search engine
appointed fake search site feed.yourstreamsearch.com
IP address 172.67.180.212
Symptoms Search inquiries are going through unknown pages; search results are shown from a different provider; new tabs with questionable content open out of nowhere
risks Installation of additional PUPs, malware infections, privacy issues
Distribution Deceptive ads, official marketplaces, fake Flash Player updates, software bundles
Elimination You can remove this PUP with a proper anti-malware tool and then use our guides below to restore browser settings or reset them
System repair Browser hijackers modify not only browser settings but system files and settings too. That's why you should use the FortectIntego system diagnostics tool to resolve all system-related irregularities

Although some of you may think that having a couple of browser settings altered isn't a big deal, let us explain why these cyber threats are dangerous. First of all, by making these alterations, YourStreamSearch browser enables itself to gather browsing and device details, including:

  • used apps,
  • search inquiries,
  • addresses of visited pages,
  • IP addresses and geolocations,
  • device and browser info, etc.

Normally, such information is used by advertisers to customize ads specifically for you to make them irresistible to click. But there's no guarantee that such details won't be shared with third parties who can have ill intentions and misuse them for their own goals.

YourStreamSearch virus is also capable of showing you deceptive ads. They can be seen as search recommendations but could also be shown as notifications, directly computer desktop. These ads are deceptive as an ad for a breaking news story could redirect you to any of the PUPs affiliated sites.

Furthermore, this browser-based infection can cause sudden redirects on demand. Then you will be forced to visit a site of its choice. The main risks are not in the browser itself but in its affiliated sites, which could try to lure you into gambling, draw out personal details, infect devices with malware instantly through drive-by downloads, and so on.

YourStreamSearch virus

That's why such infections are dangerous, and we urge our readers to remove YourStreamSearch browser hijacker from all devices immediately. To make sure it's properly eliminated, you should run a full system scan with MalwarebytesMalwarebytes, SpyHunterCombo Cleaner, or similar trustworthy anti-malware software. Then check if it's not hiding in your browser extensions.

If you're not 100% sure how to do that, use our guides posted at the bottom of the article and remove the extension. Once all that is done, all is left to repair the damage your device's system sustained from this infection. Cybersecurity experts [1] highly recommend performing a system tune-up with the FortectIntego system diagnostics tool.

Uninstall the Flash Player and don't download its updates to avoid PUPs and malware

Adobe has announced that from December 31, 2020, it is discontinuing support for Flash Player. The company also urged users to uninstall this software for security purposes. But many people are unaware of this, and cybercriminals exploit that by suggesting fake Flash Player updates.

These are usually encountered on high-risk or hacked websites. They can come in various forms and colors, but all of them contain either potentially unwanted programs, such as adware, browser hijackers, or severe malware infections like Trojans,[2] ransomware,[3] etc.

YourStreamSearch redirect

Thus if you ever see a pop-up suggesting that you need to update or install Flash Player on your device, please remember that it's fake and can cause a lot of trouble. Close the tab or the whole browser, run a system tune-up that deletes all tracking cookies and your browsing history.

Remove YourStreamSearch virus and restore browser settings with ease

Browser hijackers can be installed either as browser extensions or as applications. Whichever it might be, we highly recommend scanning your device with a reliable anti-malware tool to remove any suspicious, untrustworthy, or malicious files/apps/entries.

A reliable security tool is a must these days, as cybercrime is on the rise and threat actors aren't slowing down any time soon. If you had dependable AV software, it would have prevented you from installing YourStreamSearch as it would have identified it as a PUP.

Once you finish the scan, use our comprehensive guides below to check if YourStreamSearch isn't installed as a browser extension. If it is, remove it ASAP. Then restore your browser settings, perform system diagnostics with compatible tools to resolve any system-related issues, and you're all set.

Uninstall from Windows

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

  1. Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 10/8

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

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

Remove the unwanted program:

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

Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).Uninstall from Mac

Delete leftover files and folders:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
  3. Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.Delete leftover files from Mac
  4. Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

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

Clear cookies and other browser data:

  1. Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. 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.Clear Edge browsing data

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

  1. Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
  2. Then find On startup section.
  3. Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

  1. Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
  3. Select Details tab.
  4. 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.Reset MS Edge

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

  1. Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
  2. Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chromium Edge

Clear cache and site data:

  1. Click on Menu and go to Settings.
  2. Select Privacy, search and services.
  3. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  4. Under Time range, pick All time.
  5. Select Clear now.Clear browser data from Chroum Edge

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

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

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

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

Reset the homepage:

  1. Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
  2. Choose Settings.
  3. Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.

Clear cookies and site data:

  1. Click Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security section.
  3. Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
  4. Click on Clear Data...
  5. Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
  2. Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.Reset Firefox 1
  3. Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
  4. Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.Reset Firefox 2

Remove from Google Chrome

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

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

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

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

Change your homepage:

  1. Click menu and choose Settings.
  2. Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
  3. 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:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
  4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm with Reset settings.Reset Chrome 2

Delete from Safari

Remove dangerous extensions:

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

Clear history and website data:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
  2. Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.Clear history from Safari

Reset Safari:

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

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