Search.hgetsports.net tricks people into using its services by promising easy access to sports TV streaming sites

Search.hgetsports.net is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) developed by Polarity Technologies Ltd. It operates as an unreliable search engine which aims to take over users' browsers and deliver sponsored advertisements. Note that there are similar browser hijackers, such as Search.seasytowatchtv.com, Search.easytowatchtv.com, Search.searchemailo.com, etc. Although, they have the same aims — increase the pay-per-click revenue of the contrivers by bringing traffic to the affiliate websites[1].
This browser hijacker spreads as GetSports extension which is offered on Google Chrome Store. Developers target naive computer users by promising help to watch live sports shows on TV streaming sites with only one click. Attractive description lures people into believing that its services are useful and manually installing the PUP. However, it might stealthily infiltrate together with third-party applications.
Following the installation, so-called GetSports virus starts modifying your browser parameters and assigning hxxp://search.hgetsports.net/ to your new tab, default search engine, and homepage. Unfortunately, people are unable to reverse those alterations without the help of a professional or malware removal software.
If you have noticed similar browser modifications as mentioned above, immediately remove Search.hgetsports.net since it might put your privacy in danger. It is worth to mention that this potentially unwanted program collects various details about its users which are the following:
- Browser and computer details;
- IP address and geolocation;
- Your frequently visited websites;
- Clicked ads;
- Search queries on the fake search engine and other sites.
While this information is said to be non-personally identifiable, developers warn that you can unconsciously provide details that would personally identify you through search queries. Sadly, once you install GetSports hijacker, you permit its contrivers to not only gather this information but also share with third-party companies.
If that is not enough, after Search.hgetsports.net hijack, this information is processed and exploited to deliver ads on your frequently visited sites or ones which would correspond to your recent search queries. Unfortunately, rarely those advertisements offer trustworthy products or software. Likewise, clicking on them might get you involved in a scam or even expose system vulnerabilities to malware infections[2].

Moreover, the search results generated by this potentially unwanted program are not reliable as well. They are filled with links to affiliate websites which help its developers to profit from Search.hgetsports.net redirect tendency. We strongly advise you to reconsider keeping this fake search engine since there is a high risk that you will end up on suspicious and potentially dangerous pages.
Performing Search.hgetsports.net removal is the best option if you want to protect your computer and privacy together. As it is already mentioned, this browser hijacker is hard to eliminate. Thus, you can get a security software to help you right away. Pick FortectIntego and let it do the job for you.
However, you can try to uninstall Search.hgetsports.net manually as well. We have prepared instructions on how to do it safely. Find them at the end of this article and make sure to follow every step.
Pay attention during the installation of third-party software
Unfortunately, contemporary computer users are reckless and tend to agree with everything during the installation of software. This is the reason why the developers of potentially unwanted programs employ bundling technique to distribute their unreliable products.
Software-bundles consist of two programs which are offered as one unless you carefully follow the steps of the installation process and identify such actions. Browser hijackers are hidden inside the installers of freeware and can only be detected if the person picks Custom or Advanced mode during the procedure.
Potentially unwanted programs come as additional downloads which are pre-selected without your direct permission. Likewise, you must un-tick those checkmarks to avoid the installation of PUP. Note that if you choose Quick or Recommended settings, you will not be able to detect them during the procedure.
Search.hgetsports.net virus removal techniques explained
Since browser hijackers come along with extra elements which are designed to reassign Search.hgetsports.net to the new tab, homepage, and default search engine once you try to change it, most of the users are unable to eliminate it from their systems.
For this reason, we suggest you remove Search.hgetsports.net automatically with a robust malware removal software. You can pick either the ones, recommended by our experts of any other security program of your choice. Install and run a full system scan.
Also, if you like challenges, manual Search.hgetsports.net removal might interest you. Experts from NoVirus.uk[3] say that you must take into account that it is far more time-consuming and requires your attention before you start. For that, follow the guide which is at the end of this article.
Uninstall from Windows
Uninstall from Windows 10/8:
- Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.

Remove the unwanted program:
- In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
- If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.

Delete from macOS
Remove the unwanted application:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).

Delete leftover files and folders:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
- Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.

- Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.
Reset Internet Explorer
Remove dangerous add-ons:
- Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
- Pick Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.

Change your homepage if it was altered:
- Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
- Select Internet Options.
- In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
- Click Apply and then select OK.

Delete temporary files:
- Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
- Under Browsing history, click Delete...
- Select relevant fields and press Delete.

Reset Internet Explorer:
- Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
- Select Reset.
- In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.

Remove from Microsoft Edge
Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:
- Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
- From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
- Click Remove.

Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.

Restore new tab and homepage settings:
- Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
- Then find On startup section.
- Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.
Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:
- Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
- Select Details tab.
- Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge
Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and site data:
- Click on Menu and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy, search and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Under Time range, pick All time.
- Select Clear now.

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- On the left side, pick Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- Confirm with Reset.
- This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
- Select Add-ons.
- In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.

Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Settings.
- Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data...
- Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.

Reset Mozilla Firefox
If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
- Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.

- Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
- Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.

Remove from Google Chrome
Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
- Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
- In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:
- Click on Menu and pick Settings.
- Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
- Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data.

Change your homepage:
- Click menu and choose Settings.
- Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
- Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.
Reset Google Chrome:
If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
- Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
- Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Confirm with Reset settings.

Delete from Safari
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
- Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.

Clear history and website data:
- Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
- Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.

Reset Safari:
- Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
- Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.

Was this guide helpful?
Be the first to comment