SearchStreamz

SearchStreamz is a browser hijacker application that is being spread through underhanded methods. This is understandable as users are extremely unlikely to install an application that will mess with their browser settings willingly. Due to this questionable behavior, SearchStreamz also is classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program).

If installed on the computer successfully, SearchStreamz will take over the user's Web browsers, and it will modify the homepage, new tab page, and the default search engine settings more specifically. The goal is to set all three of them to open a promoted page and thus generate as much artificial traffic towards it as possible. 

This particular PUP promotes its own page - searchstreamz.com, which belongs to a fake search engine. Fake engines lack the ability to produce any results. Instead, they take the initiated search queries and redirect them through a legitimate engine such as Yahoo, Bing or Google. However, SearchStreamz also can redirect to searchlee.com, a dubious engine that can deliver low-quality results. The presented search results could lead to suspicious websites promoting more PUPs or running various online tactics. 

It should be noted that most PUPs are equipped with data-collection capabilities. SearchStreamz also could be spying on the user's browsing habits and gathering all visited websites, carried searches and clicked links. Device details such as IP address and geolocation also could be among the harvested data. To avoid being spied on, It is recommended to remove all PUP from your computer and devices as soon as possible. 

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