HDSportSearchs (Removal Guide) - Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge
HDSportSearchs Removal Guide
What is HDSportSearchs?
HDSportSearchs is a browser hijacker that might infiltrate your browser without permission
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 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes. If malware was found, take your time to attempt to fix virus damage with the help of repair software such as FortectIntego |
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.
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 5Combo 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 FortectIntego.
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 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.
You may remove virus damage with a help of FortectIntego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
Getting rid of HDSportSearchs. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
If your browser settings are changed due to an unknown program installed on your Windows machine, proceed with the following steps:
Instructions for Windows 10/8 machines:
- 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 uninstallation process is complete and click OK.
If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are 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.
Delete from macOS
macOS users should perform the following actions to delete applications:
Remove items from Applications folder:
- 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)
To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:
- 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.
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 on Uninstall at the bottom.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select everything (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 Disable if you found any suspicious domain.
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.
If this solution failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method. Note that you need to backup your data before proceeding.
- Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
- Right-click on them and pick Delete
- Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- When the new window opens, copy and paste the following command, and then press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose
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.
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 unwanted plugin and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Options.
- Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.
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, as well as Cached Web Content and press 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
If you are unable to delete HDSportSearchs browser hijacker manually, reset 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 the suspicious plugins that might be 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 unwanted extensions from Safari:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- Go to Advanced tab.
- Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches.
After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware. This will help you to get rid of HDSportSearchs registry traces and will also identify related parasites or possible malware infections on your computer. For that you can use our top-rated malware remover: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
How to prevent from getting browser hijacker
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 Private Internet Access 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, Data Recovery Pro can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection.
If this free guide helped you and you are satisfied with our service, please consider making a donation to keep this service alive. Even a smallest amount will be appreciated.
- ^ Lesvirus. Lesvirus. Cybersecurity news and malware insights.
- ^ HDSportSearchs – Privacy Policy. HDSportSearchs. Official website.
- ^ Kevin Stevens. The Underground Economy of the Pay-Per-Install (PPI) Business. Blackhat. Information security event - official site.