Remove HDSportSearchs (Removal Guide) – Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge

HDSportSearchs is a browser hijacker that might infiltrate your browser without permission

HDSportSearchs

HDSportSearchs is a minor computer infection that can hijack Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, MS Edge, or another web browser. While it typically comes in as a browser extension, it can also be a part of a standalone application installed on your Windows or Mac operating system. One of the main reasons why the app is considered to be a potentially unwanted program is due to its deceptive distribution tactics, such as software bundling or deceptive advertisements. This is why users reported that they found HDSportSearchs hijack on their browser unexpectedly.

Once installed, the application changes the homepage and the new tab URL of the browser to portal.hdsportsearchs.com or feed.hdsportsearchs.com and append a customized search engine. While using it, users' searchers would always be redirected to Yahoo or another provider. Nonetheless, these results are not genuine, as they are injected with sponsored links and ads. Additionally, HDSportSearchs also collects information about users' web browsing activities to increase its ad revenue via targeted ads.

Name	HDSportSearchs
Type	Browser hijacker, potentially unwanted program
Distribution	Users download browser hijackers unintentionally, as they are often distributed via deceptive methods, such as software bundle packages, deceptive ads or fake update prompts
Symptoms	HDSportSearchs browser extension or an unknown application installed on the system; homepage and new tab address is set to portal.hdsportsearchs.com or feed.hdsportsearchs.com; all searchers are redirected to search.yahoo.com; search results are filled with sponsored links
Risks	Installation of other potentially unwanted programs, privacy risks due to information gathering practices, financial losses
Removal	You can uninstall potentially unwanted applications by following the manual guide below. To delete an extension, either access the settings of your web browser or reset it fully
Optional steps	If you found suspicious programs on your system, you should perform a full system scan with SpyHunter Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes Malwarebytes. If malware was found, take your time to attempt to fix virus damage with the help of repair software such as Fortect Intego

The so-called HDSportSearchs virus belongs to a larger group of browser hijacking app families, including such titles as MovieSearches, AllConvertersSearches, FunSearchToday, and many others. The names of these apps most commonly include the “search” keyword, which implies that an easier way of finding a particular topic.

However, HDSportSearchs will not help your find sports videos easier or even provide links to them. This hijacker, just as its predecessors, includes a few seemingly useful features instead, including:

PDF Converter
Currency Converter
Crypto Converter
Calculator

Aside from these features, the app possesses a very basic search functionality and does not provide search results that define its title. However, unlike a legitimate Yahoo search engine, HDSportSearchs also provides additional links at the top of search results – a very common practice used by browser hijackers. These ads advertise various promotions and sponsored content, clicks on, which help the developers to monetize. In other words, the top results become not organic, but rather those that third parties paid for.

Thus, you are essentially installing an app that injects ads into your searches in exchange for a few converters – this functionality can be found all over the internet without having your browser hijacked. Thus, security experts^[1] recommend HDSportSearchs removal, along with other applications of similar functionality.

HDSportSearchs hijack

If alternative search results and browser changes are not a disturbance for you, you should think about your privacy. Like many other browser hijackers that are not considered a major security threat, HDSportSearchs gathers various information about users' online behavior. This practice is common since it allows targeted advertising, increasing the probability of users buying the products, and installing applications that are offered.

If you look at the privacy policy of the app, it is claimed that various non-personally identifiable data is gathered about users:^[2]

The Non-Personal Information which is being collected may include technical information automatically transmitted by the user's device (for example, type of browser, the type of the user's device and technical information pertaining to the user's device, language preferences, time stamps, clicks and visited pages, search logs, the operating system, utilized internet service provider and other similar information.

Besides, the policy also discloses that it also collects some of the personal data, such as IP address or unique device identifiers. This information might later be shared with partners, third-parties, service providers, and others.

If you want to remove HDSportSearchs, you should look for an extension on your web browser. If you are unable to find it, it might be that the hijack is related to another app that is installed on your system. In such a case, you can eliminate it manually by following our instructions below or by scanning your device with SpyHunter Combo Cleaner anti-malware.

Finally, if you spotted that your machine does not work the same after malware elimination, you can attempt to fix virus damage with the help of a repair tool Fortect Intego.

You can easily avoid potentially unwanted programs

In most cases, users do not download adware, browser hijackers, scareware, or other potentially unwanted applications on purpose – as mentioned above, this is one of the reasons why these programs are called that way. The deception starts with PUP distribution methods, as there are plenty of users who would decline the installation of apps that potentially put their privacy at risk, insert ads into their searches, or redirect to suspicious websites.

To ensure that more people install these unwanted applications, the developers and freeware distributors employ a common distribution technique known as software bundling. While it can work well for the developer and the end-user if applied correctly, many parties choose to mislead users for the increased profits due to the pay-per-install^[3] scheme.

However, you do not need to be a security expert in preventing the unintentional installation of potentially dangerous software. Here are a few tips that would help you with that:

If possible, download software from official websites only;
Before installing an app, you have never heard of, check reviews online;
During the installation, always opt for Advanced/Custom settings instead of Recommended/Quick;
Decline all the deals or offers on the way;
Remove ticks from pre-checked checkboxes;
Watch out of misleading button placements;
Employ powerful anti-malware that would warn you about the incoming PUPs.

HDSportSearchs virus

HDSportSearchs removal instructions

The so-called HDSportSearchs virus is not actually a virus, but a browser hijacker. These minor computer infections typically do not pose serious security risks, although their value is questionable at best. In fact, they are there to feed you with ads – in one way or another – and track your online activities that might later be shared with unknown parties. Therefore, there is no need to keep them installed, and HDSportSearchs removal should be one of your priorities.

Since the hijacker typically comes as an extension, you should first check your web browser's extension section (for example, on Google Chrome, you should go to Menu > More Tools > Extensions). In case the app sets the “Managed by your organization” setting, you should reset the web browser as explained below.

If you are dealing with an unknown program, you can either try to remove HDSportSearchs manually as per instructions below or scan the device with powerful anti-malware software to eliminate all the unwanted programs and the invisible malware.

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.

How to remove HDSportSearchs

HDSportSearchs is a browser hijacker that might infiltrate your browser without permission

You can easily avoid potentially unwanted programs