Search.watchsportslive.co is unreliable search tool

Search.watchsportslive.co is a questionable search engine created by Polarity Technologies. This Yahoo-based search tool spreads in software bundle and often sneaks inside the system. Once inside, it starts operating as a browser hijacker,[1] meaning it might alter browser’s settings and control user’s browsing sessions.
So-called Search.watchsportslive.co virus might cause these issues on Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer and other affected web browsers:
- replace default homepage, search engine, and new tab URL address;
- change built-in search provider;
- display an increased amount of online ads;
- redirect to promotional websites when browsing the web or clicking on the link in search results page.
To prevent users from reverting these changes, this potentially unwanted program (PUP) might also alter Windows Registry. Therefore, Search.watchsportslive.co removal might be slightly complicated. It’s important to find and delete all hijacker-related entries. Otherwise, this shady domain appears on the browser once you reboot the computer.
Even though Search.watchsportslive.co might look like an ordinary search engine that offers quick access to popular email services and various gaming websites; security experts do not recommend relying on it. The hijacker is known for being capable of redirecting users to shady sites.
The main goal of the Search.watchsportslive.co redirect virus is to generate advertising-based revenue. Therefore, you might be forced to see numerous ads and visits unknown websites. These activities are not only annoying but might also result in frequently freezing and crashing web browser.
Finally, the Privacy Policy of the search tool informs about unpleasant data tracking activities. The hijacker might not only collect various information about you but might also share it with third-parties, including advertising networks:
Such information is needed by third-party advertising networks and advertisers who help deliver relevant ads when you are on a web page.
Therefore, developers do not hide that users will be attacked by targeted ads. Thus, if you want to avoid them, you should remove Search.watchsportslive.co immediately. You can do it either by following our prepared guide below or by scanning the system with FortectIntego or another anti-malware tool.

Bundling strategy helps to spread browser hijacker
WhatchSportsLive search engine is most likely to spread with various free programs as an optional component. The problem is that the majority of computer users do not install freeware correctly and suffer not only from Search.watchsportslive.co hijack but unintentionally install other cyber threats as well.
Cyber security specialists from utanvirus.se[2] remind these tips that you should follow when installing programs from the Internet:
- Always choose a reliable source for downloads. Instead of file-sharing sites or P2P networks, you should use official developer’s websites.
- Read provided documents, such as Terms of Use,[3] EULA or Privacy Policy to make sure that the program is legitimate and do not bring any additional components.
- Use “Custom” or “Advanced” installation guide instead of “Quick” or “Standard” because the latter settings do not disclose about third-party software.
- Unmark ticks from pre-selected applications that are offered to download with the primary program.
Eliminate Search.watchsportslive.co from your browser
Unfortunately, it’s enough to remove Search.watchsportslive.co by simply changing your default homepage or search engine’s address. Nevertheless, you can set Google or Yahoo as your search provider; once you reboot the computer, the hijacker will come back.
Search.watchsportslive.co removal requires putting more effort and eliminating the hijacker by uninstalling suspicious programs, browser extensions, and associated files. The instructions below will explain to you how to complete this task manually. However, you can speed up the process and use anti-malware tool to speed up the removal.
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