What is SportsSearcher
This article will focus on SportsSearcher browser hijacker, which comes to the PC as a browser extension and changes the settings, but more on that later. Outwardly, SportsSearcher looks like many analogs that are search engines, for example, Yahoo, Google, Edge, and many others. Also, it changes the browser homepage to https://portal.sports-searcher.com/, and also makes changes in the browser, which leads to the fact that the user is constantly redirected to third-party sites that have a lot of advertising. Also, the developers promise that SportsSearcher makes it easier for the user to work with maps and so on, but in reality, this is a lie. We recommend that you remove SportsSearcher immediately and don’t waste time.
Like many other potentially unwanted programs malware, SportsSearcher comes as an attachment and as an element of the component of the installation package of free programs. For example, the user downloads something from the Internet but does not pay attention that the installation package contains suspicious components and elements. This is malicious software. As a rule, it comes without the user’s consent. You need to closely monitor the installation process and use special software that can protect your system. Below you will find instructions for removing SportsSearcher from your computer.
SportsSearcher Removal Guide
- Download SportsSearcher Removal Tool.
- Remove SportsSearcher from Windows (7, 8, 8.1, Vista, XP, 10) or Mac OS.
- Remove SportsSearcher from browsers (Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari).
- What should you do if SportsSearcher won’t uninstall.
- How to protect PC from future infections.
SportsSearcher Automated Removal Tools:
Solution for Windows and Mac users:
Malwarebytes may help you to get rid of this virus and clean up your system. In case you need a proper and reliable antivirus, we recommend you to try it.
Solution for Mac user:
Malwarebytes for Mac is a removal tool, that is able to locate and eliminate SportsSearcher pop-up from your Mac and boost your computer’s productivity.
How to remove SportsSearcher manually
Below are step-by-step instructions to remove SportsSearcher from Windows and Mac computers. Follow these steps carefully and uninstall it from Control Panel, remove malicious browser extensions from browsers, and remove files and folders belonging to SportsSearcher.
Uninstall SportsSearcher from Windows or Mac
Windows 7/Vista:
- Click Start;
- Click Control Panel;
- Click Uninstall a program (if computer’s settings are sorted by Category);
Click Programs and Features (if computer’s settings are sorted by Icons); - Find programs potentially related to SportsSearcher;
- Click Uninstall;
- Follow the instructions on the screen or wait until program will be uninstalled.
Windows 8/8.1:
- Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, then tap Search (If you are using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, then click Search.);
- Enter control panel in the search box, then tap or click Control Panel;
- Under View by: select Large Icons, then tap or click Programs and features;
- Find programs potentially related to SportsSearcher;
- Tap or click the program, then tap or click Uninstall;
- Follow the instructions on the screen or wait until program will be uninstalled.
Windows 10:
- Tap or click Start and choose Settings;
- In opened menu choose System;
- Under System menu tap or click Apps & features tab;
- Find SportsSearcher and other suspicious programs that can be related to it;
- Tap or click on the program, then tap or click Uninstall;
- Confirm action by clicking Uninstall.
Windows XP:
- Click Start;
- Click Control Panel;
- Double-click Add or Remove Programs;
- Find programs potentially related to SportsSearcher and click on them;
- Click to Remove;
- Follow the instructions on the screen or wait until program will be uninstalled.
Mac OS:
- On the Finder menu click Go;
- On the right side choose Applications;
- Locate SportsSearcher;
- Move it to trash bin;
- Follow on-screen instructions;
SportsSearcher won’t uninstall:
Sometimes, some malicious process or service won’t allow user to uninstall SportsSearcher or remove is files. In such case, you can boot Windows in Safe Mode or Safe Mode with networking go to Control Panel and try to uninstall SportsSearcher. Safe Mode does not allow malicious processes or services to start with Windows.
Learn how to boot in Safe Mode in different versions of Windows.
How to reset browser settings?
After removing malware, we recommend resetting browser settings to default.
Google Chrome:
- Open Google Chrome;
- a) Click on Options Icon or press Alt+E, Alt+F, then click Settings;
b) Type “chrome://settings/” in address bar; - Click a link Show advanced settings;
- Turn down and click Reset settings;
- Click Reset.
Internet Explorer:
- Open Internet Explorer;
- Press Alt, click Tools, or Click on Gear Icon;
- Click Internet Options;
- Click Advanced tab;
- Click Reset;
- Mark Delete Personal Settings, Click Reset.
Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Mozilla Firefox;
- a) Press Alt+H, then click Troubleshooting Information;
b) Type “about:support” in address bar; - At the Right-Top Corner click Reset Firefox;
- Click Reset Firefox.
Safari:
- Open Safari.
- Select Safari menu.
- Choose Reset Safari….
- Click Reset button.
How to prevent malware infection?
As many potentially unwanted programs, SportsSearcher uses “bundling” to get installed on personal computers. Let me explain how it works. Malware is bound to freeware, so it can be installed with this freeware. To avoid malware installation, we recommend you not to download suspicious software from unknown sources and try to use only trusted websites.
Be attentive while installing those programs. Also try to use custom/advanced setup options to disable malware installation. But better to download only licensed software from official websites. If you still want to download such installers, make sure to uncheck or decline all unwanted offers.