Prevent StreamMe from hijacking your bowser

What is feed.stream-me.com?

StreamMe is endorsed as a tool for easy access to newest TV related content with an enhanced web search. While seemingly useful and innocuous, StreamMe is a browser hijacker. It modifies browser settings to promote its fake search engine (feed.stream-me.com) and spies on users' browsing habits.

It is also considered a PUA (potentially unwanted application), as few users install it intentionally.

In most cases, browser hijackers target browsers with largest user bases (e.g. Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and others). Once they are installed onto browsers, they change certain settings within them in order to promote their fraudulent search engines.

They change homepages, default search engines and new tab/window URLs; therefore, every new tab/window opened and every search done via the URL bar - all redirect to a fake search engine. StreamMe alters browsers to redirect to feed.stream-me.com.

As few web searching tools of this sort are actually capable of producing search results, when used they redirect to (or cause redirection chain ending with) legitimate search engines (e.g. Google, Yahoo, Bing, etc.). As for feed.stream-me.com, it is likewise unable to generate results, so it leads to search.yahoo.com.

While these changes may seem relatively easy to undo, access to certain settings can be denied and changes made - reset. Therefore, the hijacking application must be removed to recover control over an afflicted browser. If said alterations appear as little more than a nuisance, then StreamMe data tracking abilities hardly fall into that category.

Data tracking is considered to be a severe privacy and safety threat. Unwanted apps capable of such, monitor browsing activity and gather a variety of sensitive information: IP address, search engine and browsing histories, geolocation and users' real-life personal details.

Since this data is used to generate revenue, hence sold to third parties, it may end up serving criminal purposes. Therefore, PUAs present within devices can not only lead to various browser and system invasions/infections, but also cause serious privacy issues (even culminate in identity theft).

It is highly recommended to remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins, to ensure device and user safety.

Threat Summary:

Name	StreamMe browser hijacker
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	StreamMe
Supposed Functionality	Access to TV-relating content, improved web search experience.
Affected Browser Settings	Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine
Serving IP Address	13.84.45.249
Symptoms	Manipulated Internet browser(s) settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). User's are forced to visit hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers.
Damage	Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites.
Malware Removal (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Browser hijackers, designed to promote fake search engines, are numerous. Examples of such include: Movie Goat, Utilitool, Your Streaming TV Now, MovieBox and many others. These undesirable applications share more similarities between them.

They offer web searching tools, supposedly capable of generating somehow enhanced search results; often they advertise these tools as having additional features (quick access to: weather, traffic, movie/television/music/etc. related content and hundreds more).

However, it must be emphasized that these promised features rarely work as they should and most often - they are utterly nonfunctional.

The only purpose of all PUAs is to create profit for their developers; to users they have no genuine value. These unwanted apps can hijack browsers, redirect to various sale-based, untrustworthy and even malicious websites; they can also deliver intrusive advertisement campaigns (pop-ups, surveys, coupons, banners, etc.) and gather vulnerable data.

How did StreamMe install on my computer?

PUAs can invade devices by being installed by users themselves (intentionally or inadvertently), as well as infiltrate them without user knowledge. Certain unwanted apps (like StreamMe) have "official" download websites, wherein they are often offered as "free" software.

These applications can also sneak in together with desired programs. "Bundling" is a false marketing method, by which ordinary software is pre-packed with undesirable content. PUAs can also be autonomously installed by invasive adverts. These ads can be triggered to execute scripts, designed to make rogue downloads/installs.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is highly recommended to download software only from trustworthy and verified sources. Using third party downloaders is discouraged, as they are more likely to offer programs bundled with PUAs. When downloading/installing, it is strongly advised to read terms, use "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out/decline all additional apps/features.

Users should avoid visiting suspicious websites and have a wary approach towards ads. The latter is important, due to the fact that most intrusive advertisements look legitimate and utterly ordinary, therefore it is easy to be tricked into clicking them.

However, a telltale sign of an invasive advert can be the untrustworthy sites it redirects to (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating and others). Should users encounter such ads/redirects, they are urged to inspect their systems and remove all dubious apps and browser extensions/plug-ins.

If your computer is already infected with StreamMe, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

StreamMe browser hijacker installer set-up:

Website promoting StreamMe browser hijacker;

IMPORTANT NOTE! This deceptive site asks to enable web browser notifications:

Therefore, before commencing, perform these steps:

Google Chrome (PC):

• Click the Menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the screen
• Select "Settings", scroll down to the bottom and click "Advanced"
• Scroll down to the "Privacy and security" section, select "Content settings" and then "Notifications"
• Click three dots on the right hand side of each suspicious URL and click "Block" or "Remove" (if you click "Remove" and visit the malicious site once more, it will ask to enable notifications again)

Google Chrome (Android):

• Click on the Menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the screen and click "Settings"
• Scroll down, click on "Site settings" and then "Notifications"
• In the opened window, locate all suspicious URLs and click on them one-by-one
• Select "Notifications" in the "Permissions" section and set the toggle button to "OFF"

Mozilla Firefox:

• Click the Menu button (three bars) on the right upper corner of the screen
• Select "Options" and click on "Privacy & Security" in the toolbar on the left hand side of the screen
• Scroll down to the "Permissions" section and click the "Settings" button next to "Notifications"
• In the opened window, locate all suspicious URLs, click the drop-down menu and select "Block"

Internet Explorer:

• Click the Gear button on the right upper corner of the IE window
• Select "Internet options"
• Select the "Privacy" tab and click "Settings" under "Pop-up Blocker" section
• Select suspicious URLs under and remove them one by one by clicking the "Remove" button

Microsoft Edge:

• Click the menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the Edge window
• Scroll down, find and click "Settings"
• Scroll down again and click "View advanced settings"
• Click "Manage" under "Website permissions"
• Click the switch under each suspicious website

Safari (Mac):

• Click "Safari" button on the left upper corner of the screen and select "Preferences..."
• Select the "Websites" tab and then select "Notifications" section on the left pane
• Check for suspicious URLs and apply the "Deny" option for each

Instant automatic malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is feed.stream-me.com?
• STEP 1. Uninstall StreamMe application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove feed.stream-me.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove StreamMe browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove feed.stream-me.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove feed.stream-me.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

StreamMe browser hijacker removal:

Windows 11 users:

Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.

Windows 10 users:

Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.

Windows 7 users:

Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.

macOS (OSX) users:

Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently installed suspicious applications (for example, "StreamMe"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the feed.stream-me.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

StreamMe browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser redirects:

Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window remove hxxp://feed.stream-me.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer. You can also enter about: blank to open a blank page when you start Internet Explorer.

Change your default search engine:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". In the opened window, select "Search Providers", set "Google", "Bing", or any other preferred search engine as your default and then remove "Search".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the streamme browser hijacker, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.

Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Click the Reset button.

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "StreamMe" and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.

Change your homepage:

Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.feed.stream-me.com) below the “Open a specific or set of pages” option. If present click on the three vertical dots icon and select “Remove”.

Change your default search engine:

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for "feed.stream-me.com" when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the streamme browser hijacker, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious plugins from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and remove "StreamMe", as well as all other recently installed browser plug-ins.

Change your homepage:

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window remove hxxp://feed.stream-me.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your default search engine:

In the URL address bar, type about:config and press Enter.
Click "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "feed.stream-me.com"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with streamme browser hijacker removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.

Select Troubleshooting Information.

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...

In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.

In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.

In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.

Optional method:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.

Change your homepage and new tab settings:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".

Change your default Internet search engine:

To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the streamme browser hijacker, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

• If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.

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