How to remove the GetStreamSearch browser hijacker?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is GetStreamSearch browser hijacker?
GetStreamSearch is a potentially unwanted application (PUA) designed to promote the getstreamsearch.com address (a fake search engine) by modifying web browser's settings. There is a chance that this app collects information about its users as well. GetStreamSearch is distributed using fishy methods.
GetStreamSearch browser hijacker in detail
GetStreamSearch hijacks a web browser by changing a default search engine, homepage, and new tab URL. It replaces those addresses with getstreamsearch.com and prevents users from removing this address from the web browser's settings. Getstreamsearch.com shows results generate by Yahoo, searchlee.com, and other search engines.
Yahoo (search.yahoo.com) is a legitimate search engine. However, searchlee.com (results generated by it) should not be trusted. Searchlee.com (and other shady search engines promoted via getstreamsearch.com) could generate misleading results - they could include links to untrustworthy pages in their results.
GetStreamSearch might collect browsing data (like IP addresses, entered search queries, visited websites) and sensitive information (like passwords and credit card details). That information may be misused for malicious purposes, for example, to commit identity fraud, steal online accounts.
| Name | GetStreamSearch |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Detection Names | N/A |
| Browser Extension(s) | GetStreamSearch |
| Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
| Promoted URL | getstreamsearch.com |
| Serving IP Address (getstreamsearch.com) | 172.67.222.41 |
| 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. |
Browser hijackers in general
Applications like GetStreamSearch hijack browsers by changing their settings. Their primary purpose is to promote fake search engines. Although, it is common for them to have an additional purpose - to collect various information. More examples of browser hijackers are GetMusicSearch, TopGameSearch, and MovieSearchHome.
How did GetStreamSearch install on my computer?
Lots of PUAs are distributed by bundling them together with other programs. Those apps can be found in downloaders and installers for other free programs as additional offers in such cases. When users do not decline unwanted offers before finishing downloads or installations, they agree to download or install PUAs.
Usually, bundled applications can be deselected by unticking checkboxes or through "Custom", "Advanced" or other settings. Also, unwanted downloads and installation can be caused by clicking shady advertisements designed to execute certain scripts or through fake installers that look like installers for legitimate programs (or their updates).
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Downloads and installations should not be finished until all unwanted applications are deselected. It can be done in "Advanced", "Manual", or other settings that downloaders and installers used to distribute PUAs have. Programs, files should be downloaded from official pages and via direct links.
Third-party downloaders (and third-party installers), Peer-to-Peer networks, unofficial sites, freeware download pages, etc., should not be trusted. Advertisements appearing on shady pages should not be trusted too. If your computer is already infected with GetStreamSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Getstreamsearch.com redirects to search.yahoo.com (GIF):
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 GetStreamSearch?
- STEP 1. Uninstall GetStreamSearch application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove GetStreamSearch browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove getstreamsearch.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove getstreamsearch.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
GetStreamSearch 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, "GetStreamSearch"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the getstreamsearch.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
GetStreamSearch browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
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 "GetStreamSearch" 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 "GetStreamSearch", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.getstreamsearch.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 "getstreamsearch.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 getstreamsearch.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 plugins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and remove "GetStreamSearch", 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 "GetStreamSearch", remove hxxp://getstreamsearch.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 getstreamsearch.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 getstreamsearch.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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