What is SearchStreams?
We are always looking for ways to make our lives better, and SearchStreams is a tool that promises to help out with that. This extension claims that it can optimize the search results you see at search.yahoo.com, and some Google Chrome users might decide to install the extension for this very reason. Although the PUP (potentially unwanted program) can be downloaded for free from the Chrome Web Store (chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/searchstreams/homhffmdkacgebfnpfhokdnlgngfolck/), the experts in our research team warn that this extension is most likely to be introduced to you in other ways. Most likely, you were introduced to it when you were redirected to the installer page via an unreliable website or a misleading advertisement. Obviously, if you installed the PUP along with other questionable pieces of software, it is important that you scan your system and delete any additional threats that might exist. If all that you need to do is remove SearchStreams, we can assist you.
How does SearchStreams work?
SearchStreams is identical to Sealoid, Spinyon, GalaxySpin, and many other Google Chrome extensions created by webcoapps. The company introduces every single PUP via its own website and a unique Chrome Web Store installer, but they are identical. Even the interfaces of the search tools presented by them are the same. When you install SearchStreams, feed.searchstreams.com/?q= is set as the default search provider on your browser and portal.searchstreams.com is set as the New Tab page. The interface of this page presents a file converter and a few other useful tools, but the main feature, of course, is the search tool in the center. If you enter keywords into the box, you are automatically redirected to Yahoo Search at search.yahoo.com. If this is your normal search engine that you use daily, you might not even notice that the PUP has redirected you to it. You might just hope that the results are somehow “optimized.” Well, they are changed a bit to include sponsored links, and we do not consider that to be a beneficial service.
If you use SearchStreams to browse the web, you might end up clicking on links that are presented by unknown third-party advertisers. The Privacy Policy that webcoapps presents does not list the parties that can push their promotions via the search engine, and that is something to think about. Can you trust an unfamiliar company that uses a popular search engine to introduce people to sponsored content? Can you trust a company that has tons of identical tools, all of which were built to promote unpredictable content using a popular search engine? Hopefully, you understand that webcoapps is unlikely to have your best interest in mind. This company is all about advertising, and it might value financial gain over usefulness too. Note that the ads presented by SearchStreams can be very attractive because the PUP can access your browsing history and browsing-related information using data-tracking tools (e.g., cookies). This is why besides removing the PUP we also recommend clearing browsing data.
How to remove SearchStreams
You do not need to worry about deleting SearchStreams from your Google Chrome browser because this extension is very easy to get rid of. Clearing browsing data to get rid of cookies is easy as well. If you are not familiar with these processes personally, follow the instructions below, and soon the potentially unwanted program will be a thing of the past. Things might be more complicated if the PUP was installed along with other extensions or programs that you cannot trust. Sometimes, identifying unreliable and even malicious software can be difficult, which is why employing a reliable malware scanner is an important step. If you are informed that threats exist, our recommendation is that you install anti-malware software. You could research and remove malicious threats yourself (use the manual removal guides on Anti-Spyware-101.com), but only legitimate anti-malware software can guarantee that all threats are deleted fully and completely. Do you have questions? Post them in the comments section.
Removal Instructions
- Open Google Chrome and then access the Chrome menu by tapping Alt+F keys.
- Click More tools to expand the menu and then click Extensions.
- Identify the potentially unwanted program and then click the Remove button next to it.
- Access the Clear browsing data menu by tapping Ctrl+Shift+Delete keys.
- In the Advanced menu, choose the right time range and the desired boxes.
- Click the Clear data button and then scan your system for potentially hidden threats.
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