ClearStream Accelerator

· Overview ·
· Origins ·
· Distribution ·
· Operation ·
· Risks ·
· Detection and Removal ·
· Research ·

Overview

Summary:

 A BHO that delivers ads.

Alias:

 X10 Adware Clear Stream

Category:

Browser Helper Object: (BHO). A component that Internet Explorer will load whenever it starts, shares IE's memory context, can perform any action on the available windows and modules. A BHO can detect events, create windows to display additional information on a viewed page, monitor messages and actions. Microsoft calls it "a spy we send to infiltrate the browser's land." BHOs are not stopped by personal firewalls, because they are seen by the firewall as your browser itself. Some exploits of this technology search all pages you view in IE and replace banner advertisements with other ads. Some monitor and report on your actions. Some change your home page.

Adware: Software that displays popup/popunder ads when the primary user interface is not visible or which do not appear to be assocaited with the product.

Toolbar: A group of buttons which perform common tasks. A toolbar for Internet Explorer is nomally located below the menu bar at the top of the form. Toolbars may be created by Browser Helper Objects.

Similar Pests:

 Browser Helper Object · Adware · Toolbar

Origins

Group:

 River Software, Inc.

EMail:

 info@riversoftware.net

URL:

 http://www.riversoftware.net

Date of Origin:

 December, 2003

Distribution

Prevalence:
  • ClearStream Accelerator: < 0.00005%
    • More Info

    Clot Factor:
  • ClearStream Accelerator: 2

    • The "Clot Factor" is a measure of how much a pest "gums up" a machine by adding registry entries, files, and directories. As more objects are placed in a machine, manual removal becomes more difficult and more error-prone.

    Operation

    Storage Required:
  • ClearStream Accelerator: at least 101 KB
    		•

    Browser Performance:

    		 Likely to slow performance of Internet Explorer.

    Risks

    Risk:

    		 'By downloading the Software, you give permission to River Software to display ads and offers to you. Personally identifiable information is NOT required in order to use the Software ............. You grant River Software permission to add or remove features and/or functions to the Software, or to install new applications, at any time, in River Software’s sole discretion with or without your knowledge and/or interaction...' - http://www.riversoftware.net/terms.html

    Detection and Removal

    Automatic Removal:

    PestPatrol detects this.

    PestPatrol removes this.

    Manual Removal:

    		 Follow these steps to remove ClearStream Accelerator from your machine. Begin by backing up your registry and your system, and/or setting a Restore Point, to prevent trouble if you make a mistake.
    Stop Running Processes:

    Kill these running processes with Task Manager:

    Unregister DLLs:

    Unregister these DLLs with Regsvr32, then reboot:

    Clean Registry:

    Remove these registry items (if present) with RegEdit:

    Remove Files:

    Remove these files (if present) with Windows Explorer:

    Research

    File Analyses:

    More Info:
  • ClearStream Accelerator is an adware implemented as IE browser helper object ( BHO ). It displays ads and offers to you when you are using Internet Explorer. It can add or remove features and/or functions to the Software, or to install new applications, at any time without your knowledge or interaction.
  • AllTheWeb, AltaVista, AOL Search, Ask Jeeves, Google, HotBot, Lycos, LookSmart, MSN, Yahoo!
    		•

    Research By:
  • PestPatrol's Pest Research Center
    		•

    Last Revised:

    		 April 15, 2005