This article aims to help you with the removal of Search.hwatchonlinestreams.com hijacker from affected browser and system. See a detailed guide that could help you to get rid of this annoying program in full.
Search.hwatchonlinestreams.com is a website that provides hoax search engine. It redirects all search queries to Yahoo search in order to mislead you of being a legitimate website. However, once it runs in a target browser or system it could replace browsers’ homepage, new tab page and default search engine with its domain address. That’s one of the reasons why it is considered to be a potentially unwanted program. Keep reading to learn more about the adverse effects that may be caused by this hijacker.
Threat Summary
| Name | Search.hwatchonlinestreams.com |
| Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, PUP |
| Short Description | A website with questionable search enigne that hijacks browser homepage, new tab page and default search engine. All modifications happen on the background without users’ knowledge. |
| Symptoms | The homepage, new tab page and search enigne in preferred web browser are set to dislay the main page of Safesearchprotect.com hijacker. Browser slowdowns occur due to increased number of online ads.td> |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages |
| Detection Tool |
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Search.hwatchonlinestreams.com. |
Search.hwatchonlinestreams.com – Spread Techniques
Undesired programs like Search.hwatchonlinestreams.com are primarily distributed via software bundles. So they often land on computer systems along with other desired free third-party apps. As of these apps, they are usually released on various online stores, torrent networks and websites of unknown origin.
How an unnoticed installation of an undesired program could happen is by following the regular installation steps presented in the setup of a desired app. So during the installation process of new apps, it is highly recommended to look for and choose Advanced or Custom configuration steps. When you read carefully all the details presented there you could be able to avoid the installation of any nasty extras that aim to invade your system.
Frequently used web browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Safari could be affected by Search.hwatchonlinestreams.com hijacker.
Search.hwatchonlinestreams.com – More About Its Impact
Once files associated with Search.hwatchonlinestreams.com hijacker are started on a computer system they initiate several modifications of main browser settings. All changes could happen without your permission. The moment you open your preferred web browser and see the main page of the hijacker is the one when you understand about applied changes.
As it gets clear from the main page of the hijacker its main function is to provide a searching service. Along with the search field displayed in the middle several icons for quick access to other websites could be seen on hijacker’s main page. Here is a picture of how it exactly looks like:
A side effect of using this hoax search engine is incomplete or misleading search results. Even though, Search.hwatchonlinestreams.com redirects all search queries to Yahoo search it is possible that among the displayed results you will always see many sponsored ones.
In addition, as long as this hijacker keeps appearing in your browser it could be able to inject many other online ads in an attempt to trick you to visit the web pages they promote. As a result, many browser slowdowns may occur and make the browser sluggish. Beware that some of the ads pose a great risk of your system due to the fact that they could be set to land you on corrupted web pages that download malicious directly on the device.
What’s more the privacy policy of the website its owners (Polarity Technologies) admit that all affected users automatically agree with the collection of all following details:
- Visited URLs and websites
- Browser’s home page
- Search queries
- Search queries on the visited web pages
- Type of used browser
- Operating system type
- Internet protocol (IP) address
- Geographic location
- The domain name of current Internet service provider (ISP)
- Diagnostic information which describes how their Services are operating on the system
Data could be used for advertising or business purposes. At worst it could be released on underground forums and obtained by hackers.
How to Remove Search.hwatchonlinestreams.com Hijacker
In order to remove Search.hwatchonlinestreams.com hijacker and all associated files from your PC make sure to complete all the steps listed in the removal that follows. It presents both manual and automatic removal instructions that combined could help you to remove this undesired program in full. The automatic approach guarantees maximum efficiency as a scan with an advanced anti-malware tool reveals the presence of harmful files and further lists their exact location. So the results could enable you to access and remove all harmful files from your PC. Have in mind that files associated with this hijacker may be detected with different names than Search.hwatchonlinestreams.com.
In case that you have further questions or need additional help, don’t hesitate to leave a comment or contact us via email.
Gergana Ivanova
Highly motivated writer with 5+ years of experience writing for ransomware, malware, adware, PUPs, and other cybersecurity-related issues. As a writer, I strive to create content that is based on thorough technical research. I find joy in the process of creating articles that are easy to understand, informative, and useful. Follow me on Twitter (@IRGergana) for the latest in the field of computer, mobile, and online security.
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- Guide 1: How to Remove Search.hwatchonlinestreams.com from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Search.hwatchonlinestreams.com from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove Search.hwatchonlinestreams.com from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase Search.hwatchonlinestreams.com from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall Search.hwatchonlinestreams.com from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove Search.hwatchonlinestreams.com from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate Search.hwatchonlinestreams.com from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove Search.hwatchonlinestreams.com from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Search.hwatchonlinestreams.com
Step 2: Uninstall Search.hwatchonlinestreams.com and related software from Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Search.hwatchonlinestreams.com on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Search.hwatchonlinestreams.com there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Get rid of Search.hwatchonlinestreams.com from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Search.hwatchonlinestreams.com and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove Search.hwatchonlinestreams.com via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 2: Scan for and remove Search.hwatchonlinestreams.com files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Search.hwatchonlinestreams.com, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove Search.hwatchonlinestreams.com from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Erase Search.hwatchonlinestreams.com from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Uninstall Search.hwatchonlinestreams.com from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove Search.hwatchonlinestreams.com from Safari.
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the Search.hwatchonlinestreams.com will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate Search.hwatchonlinestreams.com from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.
Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.
