What is SearchStreamsNet?
According to cyber security professionals, SearchStreamsNet is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) belonging to the family of Browser hijackers. It affects your PC and modifies internet browser settings. SearchStreamsNet can take over your web browser and force you to use the searchstreamsnet.com site as your startpage, new tab page and search provider. When SearchStreamsNet in the personal computer, it can gather sensitive information such as search queries as well as browsing history. so if you find this PUP on the PC you need to uninstall it. The detailed removal tutorial will assist you remove SearchStreamsNet and protect your device from more dangerous software.
Most often, browser hijackers promote fake search engines by setting their address as the default search provider. In this case, the browser hijacker installs feed.searchstreamsnet.com as a search provider. This means that users whose web-browser is hijacked with the hijacker are forced to visit searchstreamsnet.com each time they search in the Internet, open a new window or tab. And since searchstreamsnet.com is not a real search provider and does not have the ability to find the information users need, this web-page redirects the user’s web-browser to the Yahoo search engine.
And finally, the SearchStreamsNet hijacker can be used to gather marketing-type data about you like what web pages you’re opening, what you’re looking for the Web and so on. This information, in the future, can be transferred third party companies.
How can a browser hijacker get on your computer
Potentially unwanted programs and browser hijackers commonly comes on computers with free programs. In most cases, this unwanted software comes without the user’s knowledge. Therefore, many users aren’t even aware that their personal computer has been affected with PUPs. Please follow the easy rules in order to protect your personal computer from any unwanted programs: don’t install any suspicious programs, read the user agreement and choose only the Custom, Manual or Advanced install mode, don’t rush to click the Next button. Also, always try to find a review of the program on the World Wide Web. Be careful and attentive!
Threat Summary
| Name | SearchStreamsNet |
| Type | browser hijacker, redirect virus, PUP, home page hijacker, search provider hijacker |
| Associated domains | SearchStreamsNet |
| Affected Browser Settings | search provider, newtab URL, startpage |
| Distribution | fake updaters, free applications install packages, suspicious pop up ads |
| Symptoms | Unwanted advertising links appear on web-sites that you are visiting. Your web browser is redirected to websites you did not want. New entries appear in your Programs folder. Unwanted icons on your desktop. Your internet browser startpage or search provider keeps changing or is not set to Google anymor. |
| Removal | SearchStreamsNet removal guide |
How to remove SearchStreamsNet from Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge
We suggest opting for automatic SearchStreamsNet removal in order to remove the browser hijacker related entries easily. This method requires scanning the device with reputable anti-malware, e.g. Zemana AntiMalware, MalwareBytes or HitmanPro. However, if you prefer manual removal steps, you can follow the tutorial below in this post. Certain of the steps will require you to restart your device or exit this web site. So, read this guide carefully, then bookmark this page or open it on your smartphone for later reference.
To remove SearchStreamsNet, complete the following steps:
- How to manually remove SearchStreamsNet
- Automatic Removal of SearchStreamsNet
- How to stop SearchStreamsNet redirect
How to manually remove SearchStreamsNet
The following instructions is a step-by-step guide, which will help you manually delete the SearchStreamsNet browser hijacker from the Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome and Internet Explorer.
Uninstall unwanted or newly added software
You can manually get rid of nonaggressive hijacker by removing the program that it came with or removing the hijacker itself using ‘Add/Remove programs’ or ‘Uninstall a program’ option in Windows Control Panel.
Make sure you have closed all browsers and other programs. Next, uninstall any unrequested and suspicious apps from your Control panel.
Windows 10, 8.1, 8
Now, click the Windows button, type “Control panel” in search and press Enter. Choose “Programs and Features”, then “Uninstall a program”.
Look around the entire list of software installed on your personal computer. Most probably, one of them is the SearchStreamsNet browser hijacker. Choose the suspicious program or the program that name is not familiar to you and delete it.
Windows Vista, 7
From the “Start” menu in Windows, select “Control Panel”. Under the “Programs” icon, choose “Uninstall a program”.
Choose the suspicious or any unknown software, then click “Uninstall/Change” button to uninstall this unwanted program from your device.
Windows XP
Click the “Start” button, select “Control Panel” option. Click on “Add/Remove Programs”.
Select an undesired program, then click “Change/Remove” button. Follow the prompts.
Remove SearchStreamsNet from Chrome
The browser hijacker can alter your Google Chrome settings without your knowledge. You can see SearchStreamsNet as your search provider or homepage, additional add-ons and toolbars. Reset Google Chrome web-browser will help you to delete the browser hijacker and reset the unwanted changes caused by hijacker. However, your saved passwords and bookmarks will not be changed, deleted or cleared.
First run the Google Chrome. Next, press the button in the form of three horizontal dots (
).
It will display the Google Chrome menu. Choose More Tools, then click Extensions. Carefully browse through the list of installed extensions. If the list has the add-on signed with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following tutorial: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy.
Open the Chrome menu once again. Further, click the option called “Settings”.
The web-browser will show the settings screen. Another solution to display the Chrome’s settings – type chrome://settings in the browser adress bar and press Enter
Scroll down to the bottom of the page and press the “Advanced” link. Now scroll down until the “Reset” section is visible, such as the one below and press the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.
The Google Chrome will display the confirmation dialog box as displayed in the figure below.
You need to confirm your action, click the “Reset” button. The web-browser will run the task of cleaning. After it is done, the web browser’s settings including newtab, start page and default search engine back to the values which have been when the Google Chrome was first installed on your PC system.
Get rid of SearchStreamsNet browser hijacker from IE
The Microsoft Internet Explorer reset is great if your browser is hijacked or you have unwanted extensions or toolbars on your browser, that installed by a malware.
First, launch the IE. Next, click the button in the form of gear (
). It will show the Tools drop-down menu, click the “Internet Options” as shown in the figure below.
In the “Internet Options” window click on the Advanced tab, then press the Reset button. The IE will show the “Reset Internet Explorer settings” window as displayed in the following example. Select the “Delete personal settings” check box, then click “Reset” button.
You will now need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
Remove SearchStreamsNet hijacker from Mozilla Firefox
Resetting your Mozilla Firefox is basic troubleshooting step for any issues with your web browser program, including the redirect to the SearchStreamsNet web site. Essential information like bookmarks, browsing history, passwords, cookies, auto-fill data and personal dictionaries will not be removed.
Run the Firefox and click the menu button (it looks like three stacked lines) at the top right of the web browser screen. Next, click the question-mark icon at the bottom of the drop-down menu. It will show the slide-out menu.
Select the “Troubleshooting information”. If you’re unable to access the Help menu, then type “about:support” in your address bar and press Enter. It bring up the “Troubleshooting Information” page as on the image below.
Click the “Refresh Firefox” button at the top right of the Troubleshooting Information page. Select “Refresh Firefox” in the confirmation prompt. The Firefox will begin a task to fix your problems that caused by the SearchStreamsNet browser hijacker. After, it is finished, click the “Finish” button.
Automatic Removal of SearchStreamsNet
If you are an unskilled computer user, then all your attempts to get rid of SearchStreamsNet browser hijacker by completing the manual steps above might result in failure. To find and remove all of the SearchStreamsNet related files and registry entries that keep this browser hijacker on your personal computer, run free antimalware software like Zemana Anti-Malware, MalwareBytes AntiMalware and HitmanPro from our list below.
Use Zemana Free to delete SearchStreamsNet browser hijacker
Zemana Anti Malware (ZAM) is an amazing utility to delete SearchStreamsNet hijacker from your internet browser. It also removes malware and adware from your PC system. It improves your system’s performance by removing PUPs.
- Installing the Zemana Anti Malware (ZAM) is simple. First you will need to download Zemana AntiMalware by clicking on the link below.
Zemana AntiMalware
146325 downloads
Author: Zemana Ltd
Category: Security tools
Update: July 16, 2019
- When downloading is complete, close all applications and windows on your personal computer. Open a file location. Double-click on the icon that’s named Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup.
- Further, click Next button and follow the prompts.
- Once installation is finished, click the “Scan” button to perform a system scan for the SearchStreamsNet hijacker. This procedure may take quite a while, so please be patient. While the utility is scanning, you can see count of objects and files has already scanned.
- After the scan is finished, Zemana AntiMalware (ZAM) will show a list of found items. In order to remove all threats, simply press “Next”. Once that process is complete, you can be prompted to restart your device.
Run HitmanPro to remove SearchStreamsNet hijacker
HitmanPro is a free program which created to get rid of malicious software, potentially unwanted software, adware and hijackers from your PC running Microsoft Windows 10, 8, 7, XP (32-bit and 64-bit). It’ll allow to find and remove SearchStreamsNet hijacker, including its files, folders and registry keys.
- First, please go to the link below, then click the ‘Download’ button in order to download the latest version of Hitman Pro.
- Once the download is finished, double click the HitmanPro icon. Once this tool is launched, press “Next” button for checking your PC system for the SearchStreamsNet hijacker. During the scan HitmanPro will find threats present on your PC.
- When Hitman Pro is finished scanning your computer, it will display the Scan Results. Review the scan results and then press “Next” button. Now click the “Activate free license” button to start the free 30 days trial to remove all malware found.
Run MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) to remove SearchStreamsNet hijacker
We suggest using the MalwareBytes Free. You can download and install MalwareBytes to search for and remove SearchStreamsNet browser hijacker from your device. When installed and updated, this free malware remover automatically scans for and deletes all threats exist on the computer.
MalwareBytes can be downloaded from the following link. Save it on your Desktop.
306884 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020
Once the downloading process is done, close all apps and windows on your personal computer. Double-click the setup file named MBSetup. If the “User Account Control” prompt pops up as displayed on the image below, click the “Yes” button.
It will open the Setup wizard that will help you install MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) on your computer. Follow the prompts and do not make any changes to default settings.
Once install is complete successfully, click “Get Started” button. MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) will automatically start and you can see its main screen like below.
Now click the “Scan” button to start checking your PC for the SearchStreamsNet hijacker. This procedure can take quite a while, so please be patient. While the MalwareBytes application is scanning, you can see how many objects it has identified as threat.
Once MalwareBytes has finished scanning your PC system, you can check all threats found on your personal computer. All found items will be marked. You can remove them all by simply click “Quarantine” button. The MalwareBytes will remove SearchStreamsNet hijacker. When the process is finished, you may be prompted to reboot the device.
We recommend you look at the following video, which completely explains the procedure of using the MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) to remove adware, hijacker and other malicious software.
How to stop SearchStreamsNet redirect
In order to increase your security and protect your personal computer against new annoying advertisements and harmful web sites, you need to run ad-blocking program that blocks an access to malicious advertisements and websites. Moreover, the application can block the open of intrusive advertising, which also leads to faster loading of web-sites and reduce the consumption of web traffic.
Visit the following page to download AdGuard. Save it on your Desktop.
24156 downloads
Version: 6.4
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: November 15, 2018
After downloading it, double-click the downloaded file to run it. The “Setup Wizard” window will show up on the computer screen as on the image below.
Follow the prompts. AdGuard will then be installed and an icon will be placed on your desktop. A window will show up asking you to confirm that you want to see a quick tutorial like below.
Click “Skip” button to close the window and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick instructions which will allow you get to know AdGuard better.
Each time, when you start your computer, AdGuard will start automatically and stop unwanted ads, block SearchStreamsNet redirects, as well as other harmful or misleading webpages. For an overview of all the features of the program, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the AdGuard icon, which is located on your desktop.
Finish words
Now your computer should be clean of the SearchStreamsNet browser hijacker. We suggest that you keep Zemana AntiMalware (to periodically scan your personal computer for new hijackers and other malware) and AdGuard (to help you block annoying advertisements and malicious web sites). Moreover, to prevent any hijacker, please stay clear of unknown and third party software, make sure that your antivirus program, turn on the option to detect potentially unwanted programs.
If you need more help with SearchStreamsNet related issues, go to here.
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