StreamlinedDIY New Tab Virus - How to remove

StreamlinedDIY is a browser extension that is supposed to give you access to thousands of free tutorials on a variety of topics. It might look like a useful program if you are always trying to learn more things and improve your skills. But StreamlinedDIY is also a browser hijacker, a new tab virus that changes browser settings to control how you browse and to show you more ads.

What is StreamlinedDIY

StreamlinedDIY new tab is potentially harmful, even though it is not malware:

Type of threat	Browser hijacker, adware
Distribution and installation	Bundled with free programs, promoted by ads
Issues with StreamlinedDIY	Hijacks the homepage and the new tab, shows pop-up and search result ads, collects the user’s browsing and search history
Remove StreamlinedDIY	Automatically remove malware (Combo Cleaner for Mac, SpyHunter for PC), disable and uninstall suspicious browser extensions

StreamlinedDIY is considered to be a browser hijacker by anti-malware programs, too.

The main goal of StreamlinedDIY is to make its creators money. This is done by influencing you to use websites owned by the same company (like MyWay.com and Ask.com), showing you pop-up ads and ads in search results, and improving ad profitability by targeting them to you based on your interests. Your browsing and search history and your demographic data is used for that.

StreamlinedDIY isn’t really an honest product that’s being monetized with ads. For one, it does not have unique features – it’s a clone of HowToSuite, HowToSimplified, AtoZManuals, and a few other new tab viruses – all by Mindspark, the same company. StreamlinedDIY new tab does not get installed because of the awesomeness of its features, it spreads thanks to misleading ads and bundling.

Bundling is when a free program on some download site (or even the creator’s site) has a few additional applications attached to it. With one installer, multiple programs get installed on your computer, unless you refuse them explicitly. In that case, StreamlinedDIY would just appear in your browser, together with a few other search viruses.

The StreamlinedDIY new tab is also advertised online. The ads appear on software download sites and alternative search engines. The ads sometimes have specific lines of text, such as “Learn How To Connect Electrical Wire”, “Learn How To Install Windows 7”, and others. This advertising does not even make it clear that a browser extension is being installed. No wonder people who get MyWay in their browser often can’t figure out how or why that happened.

How to deal with new tab viruses

New tab viruses like StreamlinedDIY hijack your new tab and homepage. They also take over your search engine and show ads there and, sometimes, browser pop-ups. The ads often promote other new tab viruses.

Next to all this is StreamlinedDIY’s spying. This new tab virus can spy on your browsing history, just like most browser extensions. But it goes further than that – StreamlinedDIY reads your search queries and monitors which ads and links you click on. This information is easy for browser extensions to get and you have to trust them to not misuse it. If you don’t trust them, then do not install the extensions.

Dodging bad ads that download and install malware and avoiding new tab viruses that use deceptive marketing is not always easy. If you use certain shady websites that show dangerous ads and if you often install free programs, you will have to deal with hijackers. A few measures to make yourself safer include:

• Scanning every new installer that you download. Even documents that you aren’t sure are safe. Some malware is distributed in PDF, Doc files, in pirated software – malware much worse than StreamlinedDIY new tab.
• Installing software updates. This is very important. Operating system, web browser, antivirus program updates all are very important and often include fixes that are required to stay safe against new malware.
• Using real-time web protection. Some malicious websites are used to advertise hijackers like the StreamlinedDIY new tab. You can shrink the number of dangerous ads you’re exposed to by using real-time web protection by some reliable anti-malware program.

How to remove StreamlinedDIY

This browser extension needs to be uninstalled if you want to free your browser. StreamlinedDIY is probably not the only hijacker on it. You might need to disable all of your extensions and then re-enable them one by one. Then remove any extension that hijacks your new tab page (Search Extension By Ask, HowToSuite, IdealHomeGarden, DownloadRecipesSarch, etc.).

Sometimes, a malicious extension gets reinstalled thanks to a malicious script left in your folders or a background program. It’s advisable to scan your computer with an anti-malware program, such as Combo Cleaner for Mac or SpyHunter for PC. Such tools should be able to find malicious files and programs and can help you remove them.

Automatic Malware removal tools

Manual removal of StreamlinedDIY

TopRemoving StreamlinedDIY New Tab Virus from Chrome

• Click on the menu button on the top right corner of a Google Chrome window. Select “Settings”.
  
• Click “Extensions” on the left menu bar.
• Go through the extensions list and remove programs you do not need, especially similar to StreamlinedDIY . Click on the trash bin icon next to StreamlinedDIY New Tab Virus or other add-ons you want to remove.
  
• Press on the “Remove” button on the Confirmation window.
  
• If unsure, you can disable them temporarily.
  
• Restart Chrome.

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings

If you are still experiencing any issues related to StreamlinedDIY , reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• Click on Chrome’s menu button (three horizontal lines) and select Settings.
  
• Scroll to the end of the page and click on the Reset settings button.
  
• Click on the Reset button on the confirmation box.
  

If you cannot reset your browser settings and the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program.

TopRemove malicious extensions from Internet Explorer

• Press on the Gear icon→Manage Add-ons.
  
• Go through Toolbars and extensions. Remove everything related to StreamlinedDIY New Tab Virus and items you do not know that are made not by Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, Oracle or Adobe.
  
• Close the Options.

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings

If you are still experiencing any issues related to StreamlinedDIY , reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• Press on the Gear icon->Internet Options.
  
• Choose the Advanced tab and click on the Reset button.
  
• Select a “Delete personal settings” checkbox and click on the Reset button.
  
• Click on the Close button on the confirmation box, then close your browser.
  

If you cannot reset your browser settings and the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program.

TopRemoving StreamlinedDIY New Tab Virus from Firefox

• Click on the menu button on the top right corner of a Mozilla window and select the “Add-ons” icon (or press Ctrl+Shift+A on your keyboard).
  
• Go through Extensions and Addons list, remove everything StreamlinedDIY related and items you do not recognise. If you do not know the extension and it is not made by Mozilla, Google, Microsoft, Oracle or Adobe then you probably do not need it.
  

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings If you are still experiencing any issues related to StreamlinedDIY New Tab Virus, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• Click on the menu button on the top right corner of a Mozilla Firefox window. Click on the Help button.
  
• Choose Troubleshooting Information on the Help menu.
  
• Click on the Reset Firefox button.
  
• Click on the Reset Firefox button on the confirmation box. Mozilla Firefox will close and change the settings to default.
  

If you cannot reset your browser settings and the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program.