How to uninstall the StreamingSearch browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is StreamingSearch?
Like most browser hijackers, StreamingSearch promotes the address of a fake search engine and gathers various data. This browser hijacker promotes streamsrch.com by changing certain browser settings. Apps of this type are categorized as potentially unwanted application (PUAs), since people often download and install them inadvertently.
StreamingSearch promotes streamsrch.com by setting it as the address of the default search engine, homepage, and new tab. Users are forced to visit this address when they open a browser, new tab and/or enter search queries into the browser URL bar. Note that streamsrch.com is a fake search engine, since it displays results generated by Yahoo.
When used, it simply redirects to search.yahoo.com. Therefore, fake search engines are redundant and useless. In some cases, they generate misleading results.
Commonly, browser hijackers prevent users from removing the promoted address from the settings - the bogus addresses can only be removed after uninstalling the browser hijackers that originally reassigned them (in this case, StreamingSearch). This is not the only reason to uninstall any browser hijackers.
These apps often gather various details relating to users' browsing habits. For example, IP addresses, geolocations, addresses of visited websites, entered search queries and other browsing data. Additionally, they might also record private, sensitive details.
Furthermore, the developers share/sell the information with other parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who would misuse it to generate revenue in other ways. Users of hijacked browsers are therefore at risk of becoming victims of identity theft, experiencing issues relating to online privacy, browsing safety, and other problems.
| Name | StreamingSearch |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab. |
| Browser Extension(s) | StreamingSearch |
| Supposed Functionality | This app supposedly provides access to information about movies and TV shows. |
| Promoted URL | streamsrch.com |
| Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine. |
| Symptoms | Manipulated internet browser settings (homepage, default internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit the hijacker's website and search the internet using their search engines. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers. |
| Damage | Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Some more examples of apps that are classified as browser hijackers include Typing Test Guru, TV Now Pro and Manuals Aid. They supposedly deliver various features (StreamingSearch supposedly provides quick access to information about movies and TV shows), improve the browsing experience, etc.
In fact, most are useless and designed only to generate revenue for the developers. PUAs simply cause problems - these browser hijackers should never be downloaded or installed.
How did StreamingSearch install on my computer?
People often download and install browser hijackers (and other PUAs) through the set-ups of other programs. I.e., when they are included into the download/installation set-ups as 'additional offers'. These offers are generally found in settings such as "Custom", "Advanced", and so on.
Many users fail to check and change these settings before completing the download/install process - leaving them unchanged allows included PUAs to infiltrate. This software distribution method is known as "bundling". Additionally, unwanted downloads and installations are caused when people click deceptive advertisements, some of which can run malicious scripts.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
Software should be downloaded from official, trustworthy pages and via direct links. It is not safe to download or install it through various third party downloaders, installers, Peer to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule), dubious, dubious websites and other similar channels.
Also, download and installation set-ups that contain various settings (like "Advanced", "Custom") should be checked for offers to download and/or install unwanted, additionally-included applications. Advertisements displayed on untrusted websites should not be clicked as well.
They often open other pages of this kind or download, install unwanted software. A browser should not have any unwanted, suspicious extensions, plug-ins or add-ons installed on it. If your computer is already infected with StreamingSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Websites promoting StreamingSearch browser hijacker:
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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Quick menu:
- What is StreamingSearch?
- STEP 1. Uninstall StreamingSearch application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove streamsrch.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove StreamingSearch browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove streamsrch.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove streamsrch.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
StreamingSearch browser hijacker removal:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
macOS (OSX) users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently installed suspicious applications (for example, "StreamingSearch"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications that cause browser redirects to the streamsrch.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
StreamingSearch browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon 
(at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window remove hxxp://streamsrch.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer. You can also enter about: blank to open a blank page when you start Internet Explorer.
Change your default search engine:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". In the opened window, select "Search Providers", set "Google", "Bing", or any other preferred search engine as your default and then remove "StreamingSearch".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the streamsrch.com redirect, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.
Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "StreamingSearch" and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "StreamingSearch", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.streamsrch.com) below the “Open a specific or set of pages” option. If present, click on the three vertical dots icon and select “Remove”.
Change your default search engine:
To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for "streamsrch.com", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the streamsrch.com redirect, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and remove "StreamingSearch", as well as all other recently installed browser plug-ins.
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window disable "StreamingSearch", remove hxxp://streamsrch.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.
Change your default search engine:
In the URL address bar, type about:config and press Enter.
Click "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled"
Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the 
button.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with streamsrch.com redirect removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...
In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.
In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.
In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage and new tab settings:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".
Change your default Internet search engine:
To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon 
near it and select "Disable".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the streamsrch.com redirect, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.
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