The install.stream-aol.com redirect is a common browser-based redirect which has been detected in a new attack campaign. There is no information about the hacker operators behind its release which shows that both beginner or experienced criminals can be the perpetrators.
As soon as the page is visited by an user an error message will be displayed making them click on a button which will redirect them to another site. This destination address can be dynamically changed according to factors such as the current attack campaign, user settings, current location and etc. In most cases the redirect sites will implant various malware onto the systems such as cryptocurrency miners and browser hijackers. One of the main goals of this particular threat is to both extract sensitive data and deploy other malicious threats as instructed by the criminals.
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Manual Removal Guide
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Install.stream-aol.com Redirect — How Does It Infect?
Install.stream-aol.com is a new browser hijacker which has been reported in various attacks worldwide. At the moment the security experts have not been able to identify a single tactic that is being used to infect the targets. We presume that the hackers are using several of the most important methods to carry out the malicious campaigns.
A common way of setting browser hijacker attacks is the use of email spam messages. They may directly distribute malicious file attachments containing scripts that lead to an infection. Other cases can utilize complex social engineering tricks and hyperlinks that are specifically made to confuse the intended targets into infecting themselves. Two more scenarios that are used in combination with email messages rely on infected files used as payloads ‒ documents and software installers.
- Infected Software Installers ‒ The criminals craft malicious packages made out of legitimate software installers. They are taken from the official vendor download sites, modified and then posted on online sites or attached (either as file attachments) or linked in the email messages.
- Infected Documents ‒ They represent dangerous files that usually come in the form of some of the most popular document types: rich text documents, spreadsheets and databases. When the users open them up a notification prompt will ask them to enable the built-in scripts (macros). If this is done then the malware is installed on the victim computer.
The malware browser plugins can be uploaded to hacker-controlled sites and P2P networks like BitTorrent as well. The hacker operators frequently utilize template design, text and images to create portals that look like legitimate download sources. They may also use domain names that are very similar to legitimate sites and advertise them via pop-ups or ad networks.
The browser hijacker code associated with the Install.stream-aol.com can be found in numerous malware toolbars. They are usually made for the most popular web browsers: Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari, Microsoft Edge. They can be distributed on such download sites or even on the browsers repositories (such as the Chrome Web Store for Google Chrome) using fake developer accounts.
Malicious Activity Of The Install.stream-aol.com Redirect
The Install.stream-aol.com browser hijacker is a popular infection that attempts to coerce the users into installing a malicious component in the installed web browsers. It promotes itself as a legitimate utility that can download videos from sites such as Vimeo, Youtube and others. However most of the found instances were found to contain malicious code and lead to risk behavior that exposes the security and privacy of the machines and their users.
One of the main reasons why users are discouraged from using it is the fact that upon installing it or when navigating to pages that are connected with it intrusive ads will be displayed. This behavior can result in the generation of banners, pop-ups, redirects and other interactive elements to the users. Whenever they are displayed the operators will receive income for this.
The Install.stream-aol.com browser hijacker can also lead to other malicious behavior such as data collection — the engine will retrieve information about the users and the infected computer. It can expose the identity of the users thereby allowing identity theft and financial abuse. Any system information that is retrieved can also lead to the generation of a report that gives insight about the compromised machines — hardware components, user settings and operating system behavior. The Install.stream-aol.com browser hijacker can also use this data to achieve a persistent state of execution. This means that the toolbar will create strings in the Windows Registry, change configuration files and other values in order to make it harder to remove.
When it is installed the underlying engine will execute the built-in behavior patterns — the code will change the default browser settings in order to redirect to a hacker-controlled page. Modifications will be done to the default home page, new tabs page and search engine.
A dangerous consequence of the installation is that it may also lead to the installation of other malware, including ransomware, Trojans and etc. Browser hijackers like this one are a popular delivery method for cryptocurrency miners. They are scripts that take advantage of the available hardware components by running complex calculations. When they are complete and the results reported to the hacker-controlled servers the operators will receive rewards in the form of digital currency which will be wired to them automatically. The actual displayed site will show a search engine and utilities that are modeled to appear like legitimate Internet portals that the users can visit. This is very dangerous as the infection can redirect to hacker-controlled sites that use similar sounding domain names, certificates and content. There are several dangerous characteristics that are associated with the use of browser hijackers of this type:
- Fake Login Pages — The displayed pages by the Install.stream-aol.com redirect can showcase links to popular services and social networks that the users might use. Entering any account credentials will automatically redirect them to the hacker operators.
- Browser Usage Surveillance — By infiltrating the web browsers the scripts will give the hackers real-time information about what sites are visited as well as data about the user interaction.
- Virus Delivery — The use of this can trigger the virus delivery of other redirects. This is particularly useful when the hackers want to maximize the damage impact.
- Bad Results — As a result of the site interaction when the users search for specficic strings the service may not produce the best possible results. Instead they can be modified to redirect the victims to spons, ads or even malicious sites.
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Search Install.stream-aol.com – Manual Removal Steps
Start the PC in Safe Mode with Network
This will isolate all files and objects created by the ransomware so they will be removed efficiently. The steps bellow are applicable to all Windows versions.
1. Hit the WIN Key + R
2. A Run window will appear. In it, write msconfig and then press Enter
3. A Configuration box shall appear. In it Choose the tab named Boot
4. Mark Safe Boot option and then go to Network under it to tick it too
5. Apply -> OK
Remove Install.stream-aol.com Redirect from Windows
Here’s a way to remove the program. This method will work regardless if you’re on Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP. Simply selecting the program and pressing delete won’t work, as it’ll leave a lot of small files. That’s bad because these leftovers can linger on and cause all sorts of problems. The best way to delete a program is to uninstall it. Here’s how you can do that:
1. Hold the “Windows” button (It’s between CTRL and Alt on most keyboards) and press “R”. You’ll see a pop-up window.
2. In the textbox, type “appwiz.cpl”, then press“ Enter ”.
3. The “Programs and features” menu should now appear. It’s a list of all the programs installed on the PC. Here you can find the program, select it, and press “Uninstall“.
Remove Install.stream-aol.com Redirect Virus From Your Browser
Before resetting your browser’s settings, you should know that this action will wipe out all your recorded usernames, passwords, and other types of data. Make sure to save them in some way.
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1. Start Mozilla Firefox. In the upper right corner, click on the Open menu icon and select “Add-ons“.
2. Inside the Add-ons Manager select “Extensions“. Search the list of extensions for suspicious entries. If you find any, select them and click “Remove“.
3. Click again on the Open menu icon, then click “Options“.
4. In the Options window, under “General” tab, click “Restore to Default“.
5. Select “Search” in the left menu, mark the unknown search engine and press “Remove”.
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1. Start Google Chrome. On the upper-right corner, there a “Customize and Control” menu icon. Click on it, then click on “Settings“.
2. Click “Extensions” in the left menu. Then click on the trash bin icon to remove the suspicious extension.
3. Again in the left menu, under Chrome, Click on “Settings“. Go under “On Startup” and set a new page.
4. Afterward, scroll down to “Search“, click on “Manage search engines“.
5. In the default search settings list, find the unknown search engine and click on “X“. Then select your search engine of choice and click “Make default“. When you are ready click “Done” button in the right bottom corner.
2. In the “Manage add-ons” window, bellow “Add-on Types“, select “Toolbars and Extensions“. If you see a suspicious toolbar, select it and click “Remove“.
3. Then again in the “Manage Add-ons” window, in “Add-on Types“, Select “Search Providers“. Chose a search engine and click “Set as default“. Select the unknown search engine and click “Remove and Close”.
4. Open the Tools menu, select “Internet Options”.
5. In the “General” tab, in “Home page”, enter your preferred page. Click “Apply” and “OK”.
Repair Windows Registry
1. Again type simultaneously the WIN Key + R key combination
2. In the box, write regedit and hit Enter
3. Type the CTRL+ F and then write the malicious name in the search type field to locate the malicious executable
4. In case you have discovered registry keys and values related to the name, you should delete them, but be careful not to delete legitimate keys
Click for more information about Windows Registry and further repair help
