What is IStreamingSearch?
No, IStreamingSearch will not help you in any specific way. Yes, it will spy on you, leak data to unknown parties, change your default search provider, redirect to a third-party search engine, and modify the results to show sponsored links. So, it seems that this extension is of no value to regular Chrome users. It might be very valuable to the unknown parties, but that is not a reason to keep the PUP (potentially unwanted program) installed. In fact, this might be a reason to hurry up with the removal of IStreamingSearch because it could be risky to be at the mercy of unknown parties, so to speak. If you have already decided to delete this extension, you might be most interested in the last section of our report. However, if you have a few minutes to spare, we suggest that you continue reading. You will learn how to identify PUPs and why you should never trust them.
How does IStreamingSearch work?
Identifying potentially unwanted programs is not an easy task. In fact, even security tools do not all agree on which apps are PUPs. That said, some extensions are much more unreliable than others, and identifying them as potential threats should be easier. There is no doubt for our Anti-Spyware-101.com research team that IStreamingSearch is a threat because we are already familiar with it. We have researched and reported multiple clones of this PUP, including FileConverterSearches, StreamSearchClub, LiveSportSearch, or VideosSearches. If you look at the names of these extensions, you might think that they were built to help Google Chrome users search the web more efficiently. The description – which is always the same – on chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/istreamingsearch/hdefphoeoephmaeacdemphagcghblbbl also suggests that IStreamingSearch can optimize searches represented via Yahoo Search. Although this might seem like a useful service, it is a red flag. Normal search-related extensions do not usually redirect to third-party search engines, even if they are well-known and reputable.
What is the problem with IStreamingSearch redirecting to Yahoo Search? Well, as we mentioned right at the beginning, the PUP modifies the results you are shown. The additionally injected results could correspond to your browsing history, and unknown third-party advertisers could use data collected about you to display the most attractive links as well. Although, in theory, this should make the service more personal and, therefore, more useful, we do not know what the intentions of the third-party advertisers are. For all we know, they could be schemers and malware distributors, and their attractive links could be used to fool Chrome users. Therefore, we do not recommend trusting feed.istreamingsearch.com as your default search provider. Of course, you should not just ignore this search tool. Instead, you should delete IStreamingSearch and then set the desired search provider. This time, you want to research the tool you are interested in before implementing it because it is always easier to install something that delete it.
How to remove IStreamingSearch
One of the IStreamingSearch removal options is represented via the guide below. If you follow this guide, you will have unwanted extensions deleted and browsing data cleared. You want it cleared because of the cookies that are placed to spy on you. Another option is to implement anti-malware software, which is what we always recommend. While you might not necessarily need software to help you with the removal of the PUP in this situation, it is likely that you need help securing your operating system and browsers in the future. That is much harder to do manually than it is to delete IStreamingSearch. Also, you should not hesitate to install this software if the PUP was installed along with other threats. This should not happen if you use the installer on the Chrome Web Store, but you might find the PUP bundled with other threats if you use third-party installers found on unreliable or unfamiliar websites.
Removal Guide
- Open the Google Chrome browser.
- Tap Alt and F keys on the keyboard to open the Chrome menu.
- Click More tools to expand the menu.
- Select Extensions and then Remove the PUP.
- Repeat steps 2-3 and then select Clear browsing data.
- Pick the Advanced tab and choose the desired time range.
- Select the desired boxes and then click Clear data.
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