Sports Robot changes the main settings of a browser to generate revenue
Sports Robot is a browser hijacker that changes default settings like the homepage, new tab address, and search engine to sportrobot.info. Its creators intend to impose the use of specific browsing channels in order to generate revenue through PPC advertising and data collection.
This browser extension provides no unique benefits to users and is solely designed to profit fraudsters. While their machine is affected, users may notice an increase in commercial content as well as pop-ups, banners, and surveys. This app may also direct users to unsafe websites, where they may be tricked into disclosing personal information or downloading PUPs and malware.
The creators place no value on user privacy or security and rely on rogue advertising networks to display advertisements. Aside from changing their settings, users should be concerned about the potential use of cookies[1] to collect data on their browsing activities.
This information can be sold to advertising networks or third parties in order to better target users with advertisements. Using a maintenance tool, such as FortectIntego, you can automatically clear your browsers' cookies and cache, preventing this data collection.
| NAME | Sports Robot |
| TYPE | Browser hijacker; potentially unwanted program |
| SYMPTOMS | The main settings of the browser get changed, like the homepage, new tab address, and search engine |
| DISTRIBUTION | Shady websites, deceptive ads, software bundling, web stores |
| DANGERS | The extension may lead to dangerous websites; display misinformation, inaccurate search results; track browsing, and collect data |
| ELIMINATION | Remove the extension by going to your browser settings |
| FURTHER STEPS | Use FortectIntego to fix any remaining damage and optimize the machine |
Infection possibilities
While performing daily tasks, the Sports Robot add-on may have been downloaded intentionally or unintentionally. Because of the lack of regulation, this add-on is frequently obtained by browsing questionable websites that engage in illegal activities, exposing users to deceptive ads and redirects.
It's possible that users came across a Sports Robot promotional page touting its impressive functions and features, leading them to believe in its legitimacy. Fraudsters have become skilled at creating professional-looking websites and crafting convincing messages, necessitating users' research of programs prior to installation.
Searching for the name of a promoted plugin and reviewing the results is one way to learn more about it. When searching for hijackers, keep in mind that not many results may appear. Users should also visit official websites, look for reviews and ratings, and count the number of people who have installed the add-on. If any of this information cannot be located, it is best to proceed with caution and choose an extension with more feedback.
Furthermore, a potentially unwanted application (PUA)[2] may have infiltrated the browser and changed the settings. Such programs typically infiltrate systems via freeware distribution platforms, generating revenue by including additional programs in installers without explicit disclosure in the hope that most users will not notice.
Remove the unwanted extension
You can remove browser add-ons by going to your settings. Find the list of extensions installed in your browser and remove the Sports Robot. We show how to do that in the guide below:
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.
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.
MS Edge (Chromium)
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.
Mozilla Firefox
- 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.
Safari
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
PUP elimination process
In some cases, simply removing the extension may not be enough, and users may continue to experience unwanted symptoms. In such scenarios, it is most likely necessary to scan the device for adware, which is a program that runs in the background and generates commercial content. If adware is present, simply removing the add-on will not suffice, and the settings will continue to change until the adware is completely removed from the machine.
One of the most common ways these PUAs are distributed is through freeware installation websites, a technique known as software bundling[3] that is highly effective because most people rush through the installation process and overlook critical steps. It is critical to be present during the installation to avoid similar problems in the future.
Select “Custom” or “Advanced” installation, then read the privacy policy and terms of use to learn what information will be gathered and what actions the application will be allowed to perform on your system. The most important thing is to go through the file list and deselect any checkboxes near items that appear suspicious or unrelated.
Because crooks frequently disguise them as “useful” applications, the program causing the browser's erratic behavior could have any name or icon. If you're not sure what to do and don't want to risk deleting the wrong files, we recommend using anti-malware tools like SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes, which will scan your machine, remove the adware, and prevent future infections by alerting you before a PUP can execute any changes on your system.
If manual removal is still preferred, we provide instructions for Windows and Mac machines:
Windows 10/8:
- 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.
Windows 7/XP:
- 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.
Mac:
- 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.
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