SportStreamSearch is one of the PUPs that should be removed from the list of Chrome Web Store offers
SportStreamSearch is a free extension for the Google Chrome web browser that claims to filter search results and provide the latest sports-related news in an easy-to-obtain manner. However, it's yet another misleading extension that targets to alter web search results and make people visit sponsored websites.
According to researchers, the SportStreamSearch is a type of Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) known as a browser hijacker. There are several grounds for suchlike classification, including controversial distribution technique (Chrome Web Store and freeware packages), unauthorized alterations of Chrome's settings (the push of the feed.sportstream-search.com and portal.sportstream-search.com engines), promotion of sponsored content, and questionable data recording methods.
| Summary of SportStreamSearch | |
| Type | Browser hijacker |
| Sub-type | Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP)[1] |
| Compatibility | Can be installed on any OS type (Windows, Mac, Android, Linux). However, it is aimed at Google Chrome users, so other web browsers are not likely to be affected |
| Distribution | Two ways have been discovered – direct download from Chrome Web Store and indirect download via freeware packages ('bundling') |
| Symptoms | If the extension gets installed, Chrome's settings are automatically altered, i.e. feed.sportstream-search.com or portal.sportstream-search.com is set as a default start page. Search provider replaced by sponsored Yahoo site, SportStreamSearch extension and related quick access links positioned on the web browser's start page |
| Main dangers | The site is used for the creation of artificial web traffic. It belongs to the group of monetization platforms that display sponsored content to make the money. However, it may present users with potentially dangerous sites that may record personal information or spread malware |
| Elimination | The extension can be deleted manually from the web browser's extension list. However, if you installed it via freeware, then the automatic removal option is recommended to delete PUPs from the system |
| Regularly scanning the system with FortectIntego utility may ensure a smooth system's performance | |
SportStreamSearch virus and how to remove it are the prevailing options on various cybersecurity-related forums. The classification of this extension as a “virus” is not suitable as it will not harm the machine, nor steal credentials. Nevertheless, the extension is controversial due to intrusive browser-based activities that may be initiated behind users' backs.
This sports-themed application belongs to the group of browser hijacker and stands in the line with the following search sites:
All the listed search sites are identical. They have built-in features, including PDF Converter, Currency Converter, Crypto Converter, Calculator and allows adding links to favorite sites. While the behavior and style of this search hijacker initially may seem useful, most of the users uninstall SportStreamSearch virus less than a week after its install.
The main reason why SportStreamSearch removal is initiated so soon is related to the automatic browser's redirects, advertising, and delivery of pre-selected search results. This extension is free just because third parties sponsor it. In exchange for the sponsorship, the search is presented to users with pre-selected third-party content. As explained in the Terms section:
You acknowledge that we have no control over and assume no responsibility for Third Party Content. You assume all responsibility and risk in connection with your use of Third Party Content and we hereby disclaim any and all liability to you or any third party in connection thereto. We have no obligation to examine, review or monitor Third Party Content and are not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, appropriateness or legality of Third Party Content.
In short, if the user downloads the SportStreamSearch PUP, it automatically replaces the default start page and search site with portal.sportstream-search.com or feed.portalstream-search.com. As a consequence, the search can subsequently transmit altered search results that contain links to third-party sites and generate sponsored pop-up ads. The most important aspect is that the developers of the extension are not examining or reviewing the displayed content, thus there's a high risk of malicious SportStreamSearch redirects to hacked or phishing sites.
Besides, this controversial extension can be used for creating statistics about people's browsing habits. For this purpose, it can inject tracking cookies and web beacons into Chrome and start recording search queries, web preferences, advertising content clicked on, IP address, geolocation, and similar. To prevent the leakage of such information, you should initiate undelayed SportStreamSearch removal.
If you have been trying to remove SportStreamSearch virus, but every attempt ends up in failure because the search reappears upon Chrome's restart, it means that some related extensions or adware haven't been eliminated successfully. In this case, we recommend using an updated anti-malware program and then reset the default web browser's settings.
In case you noticed that upon SportStreamSearch malware download and subsequent removal web browser's performance diminished, the CPU usage of the machine jumps from high to low and vice versa, try scanning the system with FortectIntego tool to ensure its full optimization.
Additional downloads can be overlooked during freeware installation
The tools like browser's extensions, toolbars, add-ons, or similar are often distributed on Chrome Web Store or Google Play Store[2]. However, these sources have been accused of poor app monitoring and common distribution of PUPs, so it's not advisable to trust these legitimate download sites blindly.
However, programs that belong to the group of potentially unwanted programs most frequently are installed as “optional downloads” alongside freeware. They may not be disclosed in a proper manner to trick people into installing them unconsciously. To prevent this from happening, users should choose the Advanced or Custom installation method of freeware and opt-out of all additional components before finishing the process.
Delete SportStreamSearch extension from Chrome and reset the settings to disable related search sites
Dieviren.de[3] researchers recommend SportStreamSearch removal due to several risks that it poses. First of all, it may display potentially dangerous content prepared by third parties, which is not monitored by anyone and can easily be used for malware distribution. Second of all, it may record users' browsing history and collect some pieces of personal details, such as email address, IP address, location, and similar behind your back.
Luckily, it's not difficult to remove SportStreamSearch virus. You can either investigate the system and uninstall all suspicious apps from the machine or take advantage of a professional anti-malware utility that will do the job for you. If you have decided to clean your machine manually, the tutorial submitted below can help you.
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.
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