KeyStream Adware

What is KeyStream?

According to the developers, KeyStream enables rendering of various graphical content (text, video, etc.), thereby improving the Internet browsing experience. This app is identical to WhiteWindow, Kikblaster, TomorrowGames, and a number of others.

On initial inspection, KeyStream may seem legitimate and useful, however, this application is classed as adware and a potentially unwanted program (PUP). After successfully infiltrating Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, KeyStream generates intrusive online advertisements and tracks Internet browsing activity.

This adware employs a virtual layer to display coupon, interstitial, transitional, inline text, pop-up/under, and other similar ads - none originate from your visited websites and conceal underlying content, thereby diminishing the Internet browsing experience.

Most lead to websites offering certain services or selling various merchandise, however, some redirect to malicious sites containing infectious content. Thus, clicking ads generated by KeyStream can lead to high-risk adware or malware infection.

Furthermore, this adware gathers various software and hardware information relating to Internet browsing activity including Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, visited website URLs, viewed pages, search queries, and other collected data.

This information might contain personally identifiable details and is shared with third party companies, and thus, having KeyStream installed on your system can lead to various privacy issues or even identity theft.

KeyStream is regular adware and similar to hundreds of other PUPs including, for example, PopDown, MyBrowser, DocToPDFConverter, and DynamicWPaper (that also claim improve the Internet browsing experience in various ways).

Rather than providing the features promised, adware-type applications display intrusive online advertisements and collect personal data - their purpose is to generate revenue using the 'Pay Per Click' - PPC - advertising model and selling collected data to third parties.

How did KeyStream install on my computer?

The developers commonly distribute this application using a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of PUPs with the chosen software/apps). Thus, KeyStream often infiltrates systems without users' permission. Many users do not pay enough attention and rush the download and installation processes (the main reason why bundling is so effective).

Unaware that developers conceal rogue applications within the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings, they often skip most/all of the steps and go on to inadvertently install rogue applications such as KeyStream, thereby exposing their systems to risk of further infections.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

This situation can be prevented by taking a few simple steps. Never rush when downloading and installing software. Select the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' options - follow each step of these processes and decline all offers to download or install additional apps.

Deceptive free software installer used in KeyStream adware distribution:

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Quick menu:

• What is KeyStream?
• STEP 1. Uninstall KeyStream application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove KeyStream adware from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove KeyStream ads from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by KeyStream' from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove KeyStream ads from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

KeyStream adware 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 "KeyStream", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes KeyStream ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove KeyStream adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, KeyStream did not install its browser plug-ins on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox, however, it was bundled with other adware. Therefore, you are advised to remove all potentially unwanted browser add-ons from your Internet browsers.

Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:

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 browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by keystream, 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 "Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by keystream, 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", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with ads by keystream 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, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....

In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.

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 upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by keystream, 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:

Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.

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