GetSportSearch: what it is and how to remove it
GetSportSearch is a potentially unwanted program that changes the main settings of the browser. It may set a different homepage, new tab address, and search engine.
Facts checked October 6, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
Automatic
Get a free scan and check if your PC is infected.
Fortect finds malware, unwanted programs and the Windows damage they leave behind, and repairs it in one pass.
If portal.getsportsearch.com returns after you change the search engine back, a free scan can find the program that keeps setting it.
Do it yourself · free Remove GetSportSearch yourself 5 steps, about 15 minutes, no software needed.
Start the steps
GetSportSearch: summary
| Distribution | Shady websites; deceptive ads; freeware installations |
|---|---|
| NAME | GetSportSearch |
| TYPE | Browser hijacker; potentially unwanted program |
| SYMPTOMS | The main settings of the browser get changed like the homepage, new tab address, and search engine. |
| DANGERS | The browser extension may collect data about users' browsing activities |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Removal | Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 9 more facts
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
|---|---|
| Name | GetSportSearch |
| Type | Search hijacker extension |
| Symptoms | A changed search engine |
| Evidence | 5 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
| Search page | portal.getsportsearch.com |
| Browsers | Chrome, Edge and Firefox |
| First seen | 27 December 2021 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
Is GetSportSearch dangerous? What it collects
From our report of Dec 2021 · not reviewed since
GetSportSearch is a useless browser extension that redirects users to other news websites
GetSportSearch is a potentially unwanted program that changes the main settings of the browser.
It may set a different homepage, new tab address, and search engine. Most of the time this happens because users add questionable extensions to their browsers. The main purpose of such apps is to generate revenue by monetizing user activity. This can come from advertising or the collection of browsing activity data.
The extension is made to look like it provides the latest sports news. In reality, the only thing it does is redirect users to other news websites. The plugin does not provide original content or anything beneficial so it is definitely not worth keeping it in your machine.
When GetSportSearch is added, the homepage gets changed to portal.getsportsearch.com. On there you can see articles related to sport and a search bar. When users click on the articles they get redirected to other websites and the search bar simply does not work. If you want to see sports news every time you open your browser, there are plenty of other legitimate websites that offer this function.
From our report of Dec 2021 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on GetSportSearch
- Remove the plugin via browser settings
- Use a maintenance tool like to clear your browsers and optimize the machine
How GetSportSearch got into your browser
From our report of Dec 2021 · not reviewed since
Usually, people add these types of plugins to their browsers without even realizing.
Less IT-savvy people are the ones who suffer the most because often they do not understand where the symptoms are coming from. The changes happen quickly and unexpectedly so many think they have been infected with a virus.
The infiltration usually happens when people are browsing through untrusted websites and click on random links. The developers of browser hijackers often create separate promotional websites for these applications where they boast about the benefits, often using deceptive tactics. You might see claims that the extension was created in collaboration with Google or another big company or a list of functions that do not actually exist.
It is very important to be careful while surfing the web and keep away from free software offers. Always do your research and do not install apps from random websites. Look for reviews, ratings, and how many active users it has. Sometimes hijackers can be added even from official web stores so it is a widespread problem.
Web store owners often do not know how to distinguish what is an unwanted program. A particular application can be found useful by one person and by another one considered to be a virus. That is why programs that monetize user activity are increasing in numbers.
Check your browser and PC
- Address:
portal.getsportsearch.com
How to remove GetSportSearch
How to remove GetSportSearch and get your search engine back
Remove the extension first.
The search settings only stay fixed once nothing on the PC can change them again.
Step 1: Remove extensions you did not add
In Chrome open
chrome://extensions, in Edgeedge://extensions, and in Firefox the menu > Extensions and themes.Remove every extension you do not remember adding, especially search, new tab, coupon, PDF, weather or video downloader add-ons. Check every browser and every profile, because each keeps its own list.
If an extension has no Remove button or comes back, a browser policy holds it (see "Managed by your organization" in the procedure below). The pages are the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Chrome on Windows 11: More > Extensions > Manage extensions. Full procedure with screenshots: Remove a browser extension
Step 2: Put the search engine back and delete portal.getsportsearch.com
In Chrome open Settings > Search engine > Manage search engines and site search, make an engine you trust the default, and delete
portal.getsportsearch.comfrom the list.In Edge type
search engineinto the search box at the top of Settings and open Manage search engines; in Firefox use Settings > Search. Then check the homepage and the new tab page in the same settings, because hijackers change all three.If portal.getsportsearch.com is back after a restart, an extension, a program or a policy still sets it, so finish the other steps and check again. The settings are the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Chrome on Windows 11: check Search engine and On startup. Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine
Step 3: Uninstall programs you did not mean to install
GetSportSearch rarely comes alone: it is usually installed by, or together with, a free program. In Windows 11 open Settings > Apps > Installed apps, in Windows 10 Settings > Apps > Apps & features, and sort by install date.
Uninstall every entry from the day the trouble began that you did not install on purpose, for example a download manager, a converter or a browser you never chose.
Keep drivers and entries from Microsoft, Intel, AMD, NVIDIA or your PC's maker unless you are sure.
Full procedure with screenshots: Uninstall a program or app in Windows On uGetFix
Step 4: Reset the browser
A reset removes what the steps above could miss:
- changed start pages
- site permissions
- hidden settings
In Chrome open Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults; in Edge Settings > Reset settings; in Firefox Help > More troubleshooting information > Refresh Firefox.
Tip: Bookmarks and saved passwords stay, while extensions are turned off and the search engine and start page return to the defaults.
Reset every browser on the PC, including Edge, which Windows 11 and Windows 10 always have.
Chrome on Windows 11: Settings > Reset settings. Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine
Step 5: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan
A scan finds the parts of GetSportSearch that the manual steps cannot see. In Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, start a Full scan and quarantine what it reports.
Follow it with Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) > Scan now, which restarts the PC and checks the disk while Windows and the malware are not running.
It takes about 15 minutes and works the same in Windows 11 and Windows 10. If either scan finds something, run the full scan again after removal until it comes back clean.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Access your website securely from any location
When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.
If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.
Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks
While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files.
More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.
Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection.
From our report of Dec 2021 · not reviewed since
Remove the extension
You can remove plugins by going to your browser settings.
Step-by-step instructions for Chrome, MS Edge, Firefox, Safari, and Internet Explorer are available below:
MS Edge (Chromium)
Generally, user data is gathered with the help of cookies or other tracking technologies. Only a small percentage of people know that it is recommended to clean them regularly. That is why was developed.
- 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 the suspicious plugins that might be related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.
- 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 on Uninstall at the bottom.
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.
- 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 plugin and click Remove.
- Click Safari > Preferences...
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
- 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.
From our report of Dec 2021 · not reviewed since
Remove applications that monetize your activity
Even after you remove the extension you still may be experiencing unwanted symptoms like an increased amount of commercial content, pop-ups, banners, and redirects.
It may be a sign that you have adware hiding in your system that causes this behavior. It collects revenue with pay-per-click advertising.
The issue with adware is that it can display ads from unsafe advertising networks and lead to dangerous websites. Security software can scan your machine and detect suspicious processes working in the background of your PC. It can prevent the installations of such programs in the future by warning you about it as well.
Manual removal can be tricky if you do not have any experience. A PUA can be disguised as a handy program that you would not even suspect. Uninstalling the program at fault may also not be enough.
It can leave some traces behind which could result in the renewal of the infection. However, if you know what you are doing, you can follow the guide for Windows and Mac machines:
To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:
Most often, adware is spread on freeware distribution sites. Freeware page owners need to make money, so they include additional programs in the installers without disclosing that on the site, hoping that most people will not notice them.
Unfortunately, that is exactly what happens most of the time as people find the installation process boring and rush through it. If you want to avoid that happening in the future, follow these simple steps
- Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
- From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
- Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
- If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
- Wait till the uninstallation process is complete and click OK.
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are a Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
- At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
- In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
- Click OK once the removal process is finished.
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
- Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
- In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.
- Always choose the "Custom" or "Advanced" installation methods
- Read the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Although that is a lengthy process, it can help identify if the software you are installing is safe and what permissions it asks for.
- Check the file list and untick the boxes next to programs that you do not want to get
Questions about GetSportSearch
How do I change my search engine back from portal.getsportsearch.com?
Open the browser's search engine settings, choose the search engine you want and set it as default, then remove portal.getsportsearch.com from the list.
If the option is greyed out or a note says it is controlled by an extension, remove that extension first and try again. If the browser says it is managed by your organization, a policy holds the setting, and the policy steps in this guide apply.
When the change will not stick, reset the browser: it restores the default search engine and start page and turns off extensions, but keeps bookmarks and saved passwords. Then check Installed apps for a program that may put portal.getsportsearch.com back.
Is portal.getsportsearch.com a virus?
It is a browser hijacker, not a virus in the classic sense. portal.getsportsearch.com is a search page that an extension or program set as your default without a clear choice from you.
It does not destroy files or spread to other PCs, but it takes control of your searches, collects them and shows ads, and the software behind it is often bundled with other unwanted programs.
Many antivirus products flag such software as potentially unwanted. Removing the extension or program and resetting the search engine is enough in most cases. A full scan afterwards checks for anything else that came with it.
What is portal.getsportsearch.com?
It is the search page used by the browser hijacker GetSportSearch. It has no search index of its own: it forwards your queries to another search engine and adds ads and tracking along the way.
People rarely choose it on purpose; it becomes the default search engine, home page or new tab after an extension, program or policy changes the browser settings. The page itself is not malware, but it should not be in your browser if you did not set it. The steps above remove the source and restore your settings.
Is portal.getsportsearch.com dangerous?
It is not designed to infect the PC, but it is not neutral either. It logs searches, adds sponsored results that are hard to tell apart from real ones, and its ad partners are not checked as strictly as those of major search engines.
Some hijacker pages have shown ads for fake updates, tech support scams and unwanted software. The main harm is to privacy. Remove GetSportSearch, and if you entered personal data on sites reached through its results, check those sites carefully.
Do I have to fix every browser?
Yes, every one where the search engine or start page changed. In the cases we checked, GetSportSearch affected Chrome, Edge and Firefox.
Each browser stores its own search settings and extensions, so fixing one does not fix the others, and Windows-level changes such as shortcuts can affect each browser differently. Work through them one at a time:
- remove the extension
- check the policies
- restore the search engine
- start page
If you sync a browser, stay signed in so the fix spreads to your other computers.
Did portal.getsportsearch.com record my searches?
Almost certainly. Logging is the point of a hijacker search page: each query, with your IP address, browser details and the result you clicked, is valuable to advertisers.
The operators of portal.getsportsearch.com can store and share that data under their own privacy policy, which you never agreed to knowingly. There is no way to delete it from their side. What you can do is stop the flow:
- remove GetSportSearch
- clear cookies and site data for portal.getsportsearch.com
- treat sensitive searches made in the meantime as known to a third party
Is only one browser affected?
Often not. Programs that install hijackers tend to change every browser they find, and sync can carry the extension to other computers signed in to the same browser account. Check Chrome, Edge and Firefox, even the ones you rarely use, and look at the shortcut targets on the desktop and taskbar for each.
If you use sync, remove the extension while signed in so the removal syncs too. Also check the On startup setting and the new tab page, because hijackers change those as well as the search engine.
Why does my search page look slightly different?
Because it is not your search engine's own page. GetSportSearch sends searches to portal.getsportsearch.com, which may copy the colours and layout of a known search engine while adding its own ads and tracking. Small differences give it away:
- an unfamiliar address
- more ads than usual
- a different logo
- a search box with a brand name you do not recognise
Remove the hijacker and set your search engine again from the browser's settings to get the real page back. Then delete the hijacker's entry from the saved search engines list.
What do I lose if I reset Chrome or Edge?
Less than you might think. A reset turns off all extensions, which you can turn back on one by one, restores the default search engine, home page, new tab and pinned tabs, and clears cookies, so you are signed out of most sites.
Bookmarks, history, saved passwords and autofill data stay. Firefox's equivalent, Refresh Firefox, keeps the same essentials but removes add-ons completely. Before you reset, make sure you know your main passwords or have them saved, since you will need to sign in again.
Will Fortect remove GetSportSearch?
Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.
For GetSportSearch, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.
Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Potentially unwanted program (read October 6, 2026)
- Kaspersky: What are Cookies? (read October 6, 2026)
- Insights: Bundled Software and Attack Surface (read October 6, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 6, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 6, 2026)