What is Flow?
Before you decide whether you will or will not use Flow, you have to weigh all the pros and cons. This application is supposed to improve your web search and provide you with relevant results. However, it could also expose you to certain content that could be associated with unreliable parties. The point is that Flow is a potentially unwanted program, and if you don’t want to have it, you should remove it without any further ado. If you decide to use it, please read and learn more about the application, just to be sure about what it can offer, and how it does that.
Where does Flow come from?
This application has official sources that you can use to add to your browser. First, there’s the mysearchflow.com, and there’s also the Chrome Web Store page. In other words, the application is available out in the open, and it doesn’t even try to hide its presence. That’s why we cannot say that Flow enters your system surreptitiously.
However, there might be cases when this app comes bundled with other freeware applications. It could also be distributed via pop-ups that are hosted by various adware-friendly websites. Thus, users need to be careful when they surf the web, and they land on pages that promote third-party applications. You might not be planning to have additional extensions added, but that’s how the story might go if you are not careful.
The point is that Flow cannot enter your computer without your permission. If you see that the extension is there, but you don’t remember installing it, then you must have added accidentally when you clicked through certain pop-ups, or when you installed freeware.
What does Flow do?
The official page for this application at the Chrome Web Store suggests that Flow has more than 20,000 users worldwide. This app is provided by FlowTech, and it falls into the category of Search Tools. As mentioned, the main objective of the app is to improve your web search experience.
The description of Flow that we encounter on the Chrome Web Store says the following:
Flow enhances your search experience by adding additional relevant search results.
Some of these results may be sponsored.
It gives you more choice to find what you’re looking for.
You will see our Search results in the north of Google results.
This description basically says that Flow doesn’t change your default search engine, but it provides additional search results at the top of the ones you get from your main search engine. Also, take note of how it says that some of those results could be sponsored. It means that Flow may promote some sort of links or content for money.
Now, although Flow doesn’t change your search settings, the extension clearly employs tracking cookies to collect information on your browsing history. When it has that information, it can provide the said sponsored results. The sponsored results will be in one way or the other related to your browsing history.
When Flow and other similar applications promote third-party content, the content is customized according to your likes and preferences. This increases the chances of your interaction with the said content, and that’s exactly what the third parties that advertise their content through Flow want. This is a very common promotion tactic, and there’s nothing malicious about it.
However, the problem is that sometimes a malicious third party could make use of that advertising space. And Flow isn’t responsible for whatever happens to you when you interact with dangerous content. Thus, if you want to avoid such instances and you didn’t really plan to have this extension, you should remove it.
How do I remove Flow?
You can remove this app through the Extension menu. Since Flow doesn’t change your search settings, manual removal should terminate the tracking cookies as well. While you’re at it, you should consider scanning your PC with the SpyHunter free scanner. While the chances of having a malicious program on-board are really slim, you should still check whether you have some unwanted apps installed. If more unwanted apps are found, you can remove them all automatically with the security tool of your choice. After that, make sure to employ safe web browsing practices.
Manual Flow Removal
- Open Chrome and press Alt+F.
- Click More tools on the drop-down menu.
- Click Extensions and open the menu.
- Find Flow and remove the app from the list.
- Restart your browser.
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