StreamlinedDIY Toolbar

Posted by Max Lehmann on October 7, 2016

What is StreamlinedDIY Toolbar?

If you think that StreamlinedDIY Toolbar is a safe and reliable browser extension, then you are in for a surprise because it is none of that. In fact, you should remove it because it can jeopardize your computer’s security and your personal privacy. It comes with a search engine that this extension is designed to make as your browser’s homepage and net tab page, essentially hijacking your browser’s settings because, in certain cases, its installer will not warn you about modifying the browser settings. Furthermore, you can get this toolbar on your PC accidentally since it is disseminated via shady methods. test

What does StreamlinedDIY Toolbar do?

If StreamlinedDIY Toolbar finds its way on your PC, then it will interact with your web browser and replace its homepage address and new tab page address. Take note that this toolbar is compatible with Google Chrome, Microsoft Internet Explorer, and Mozilla Firefox. Looks simple enough, but note the reason why this extension is designed to do this. Since it was made by IAC Applications, a company previously known as Mindspark, it is bound to feature promotional links in its search results. Indeed, Even though its accompanying search engine Hp.myway.com presents Google’s search results, the results are modified to accommodate promotional links from IAC Applications’ partners. We fear that the links can be unreliable and, in some cases, malicious. So Hp.myway.com is a potential security threat, and you should refrain from using it for processing your search queries.

StreamlinedDIY Toolbar is promoted as an application that will help you do anything. This absurd statement does not define this application at all. Still, while testing it, we found that its toolbar features links to various legitimate DIY websites, so it is not all bad. In any case, you can make your custom bookmarks, so you do not need an application such as this. However, this gimmicky functionality is nothing but a disguise as StreamlinedDIY Toolbar’s real purpose is to hijack your browser’s settings.

As far as privacy matters go, evidently all browser hijackers collect some anonymous information and may additionally obtain personal information on a voluntary basis. Hp.myway.com seems to do both of these things and, according to its privacy policy, can collect anonymous information that includes your IP address, browser type and language and other browser-related information, time-stamp, the keyword query, search query text, search results clicked, pages viewed, search history, and so on. Any information you provide to the developers as a result of contacting the company will also be collected, stored and even shared with third parties, all in the name of maximizing profits.

Where does StreamlinedDIY Toolbar come from?

As you probably know by now, this malicious toolbar was created by IAC Applications. This infamously unreliable company is known to have released hundreds of malicious browser extensions and toolbars and adware-type applications. For example, EasyWeatherAlert Toolbar, OnlineMapFinder Toolbar, FlightSearch Toolbar, and GasGlance Toolbar are very similar to this new toolbar. This company distributes its software in several ways, and it is important to be aware of them to avoid getting StreamlinedDIY Toolbar. So this particular toolbar is featured on Streamlineddiy.com and, in the case of Google Chrome, you can download it from the Chrome Web Store. However, it is also known that this toolbar is bundled with freeware installers and some of them can install it on your computer without your knowledge or consent which is unacceptable and downright illicit.

How to remove StreamlinedDIY Toolbar

If for some reason StreamlinedDIY Toolbar has managed to end up on your PC, then we suggest that you delete it because it can jeopardize your computer’s security with its shady promotional links. Furthermore, it can collect anonymous information about you automatically and use it to modify the advertisement campaign. So please consult the instructions below if you want to remove it.