SportStreamSearch: what it is and how to remove it
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.
Facts checked October 6, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
Automatic
Get a free scan and check if your PC is infected.
Fortect finds malware, unwanted programs and the Windows damage they leave behind, and repairs it in one pass.
Not sure what changed your search to feed.sportstream-search.com? An automatic scan checks extensions, programs and browser settings in one pass.
Do it yourself · free Remove SportStreamSearch yourself 5 steps, about 15 minutes, no software needed.
Start the steps
SportStreamSearch: summary
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Name | SportStreamSearch |
| Type | Search hijacker extension |
| Symptoms | A changed search engine |
| Removal | Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 5 more facts
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
|---|---|
| Search page | feed.sportstream-search.com |
| Browsers | Chrome, Edge and Firefox |
| First seen | 1 July 2020 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
What SportStreamSearch changes in your browser
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.
Is SportStreamSearch dangerous? What it collects
From our report of Jul 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on SportStreamSearch
- 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
- 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
- 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
- The extension can be deleted manually from the web browser's extension list.
- Regularly scanning the system with utility may ensure a smooth system's performance
Check your browser and PC
- Address:
feed.sportstream-search.com
How to remove SportStreamSearch
How to remove SportStreamSearch and get your search engine back
Remove the extension first.
The search settings only stay fixed once nothing on the PC can change them again.
Step 1: Remove extensions you did not add
SportStreamSearch often works through an extension, so go through the extension list of each browser:
chrome://extensionsedge://extensions- Extensions and themes in Firefox
Switch suspicious extensions off one at a time and reload the page where the problem shows, then remove the one that stops it, and any other you did not add.
Remember the other browsers and profiles on the PC. If Remove is missing or greyed out, a policy forces the extension, which the policy step deals with. Windows 11 and Windows 10 show the same pages.
Chrome on Windows 11: More > Extensions > Manage extensions. Full procedure with screenshots: Remove a browser extension
Step 2: Put the search engine back and delete feed.sportstream-search.com
Searches that pass through
feed.sportstream-search.commean the browser's default search engine was replaced. Chrome: Settings > Search engine > Manage search engines and site search, then Make default on Google, Bing or another engine you chose, and Delete on feed.sportstream-search.com.Edge has the same list under Manage search engines (search the Settings page for it), and Firefox under Settings > Search.
Look at On startup and the homepage settings too and remove the hijacker's address there. Nothing in this step differs between Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Chrome on Windows 11: check Search engine and On startup. Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine
Step 3: Uninstall programs you did not mean to install
Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps in Windows 11, or Settings > Apps > Apps & features in Windows 10, and sort the list by install date. Look at what appeared around the day the problem started and uninstall every program you do not recognise or did not choose.
Free converters, PDF and video tools, "system optimizers" and unknown browsers are the usual carriers of SportStreamSearch. If a name is unclear, search for it before you remove it, so you do not uninstall a driver or a Windows component.
Full procedure with screenshots: Uninstall a program or app in Windows On uGetFix
Step 4: Reset the browser
Finish the browser part with a reset, which puts the search engine, start page, new tab page and site permissions back to their defaults and switches extensions off. Chrome: Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults.
Edge: Settings > Reset settings. Firefox: Help > More troubleshooting information > Refresh Firefox, which also removes its extensions. Your bookmarks and saved passwords are kept, and the menus are the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Chrome on Windows 11: Settings > Reset settings. Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine
Step 5: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan
Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, run a Full scan and remove everything it finds. Then select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and click Scan now: the PC restarts and scans before Windows loads, which finds files that hide while Windows runs.
Save your work first, because the offline scan takes about 15 minutes. Both scans are built into Windows 11 and Windows 10, and a second scanner from another vendor is a useful extra opinion.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
Uninstall from Windows
Find a free manual SportStreamSearch removal tutorial below and take advantage of it if you have decided to clean the system without help.
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.
Remove from Google Chrome
Chrome users who keep receiving search results from portal.sportstream-search.com engine, which contain sponsored Yahoo entries should restore browser's settings this way:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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, can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection.
From our report of Jul 2020 · not reviewed since
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.
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:
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 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 tool to ensure its full optimization.
- UpdateSearch;
- PDFSearches;
- SearchConverterz;
- SearchZone;
- Searchaize; etc.
From our report of Jul 2020 · not reviewed since
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 .
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.
From our report of Jul 2020 · not reviewed since
Delete SportStreamSearch extension from Chrome and reset the settings to disable related search sites
Dieviren.de 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.
Questions about SportStreamSearch
How do I change my search engine back from feed.sportstream-search.com?
Open the browser's search engine settings, choose the search engine you want and set it as default, then remove feed.sportstream-search.com from the list.
If the option is greyed out or a note says it is controlled by an extension, remove that extension first and try again. If the browser says it is managed by your organization, a policy holds the setting, and the policy steps in this guide apply.
When the change will not stick, reset the browser: it restores the default search engine and start page and turns off extensions, but keeps bookmarks and saved passwords. Then check Installed apps for a program that may put feed.sportstream-search.com back.
Did feed.sportstream-search.com come with a program I installed?
Most likely, yes. Search hijackers such as feed.sportstream-search.com usually arrive with free software, where an extra offer is pre-ticked in the installer, or as an extension that promises something useful, such as file conversion, maps, recipes or streaming.
Look at Settings, Apps, Installed apps sorted by install date: whatever was installed just before the search engine changed is the main suspect. Uninstall it, then remove any extension you do not recognise. In future, choose the custom or advanced option in installers and untick extra offers, and install extensions only from the official store pages of publishers you know.
Why do my searches go to feed.sportstream-search.com?
Because the browser's default search engine was changed to it. SportStreamSearch did that through an extension, a program or a browser policy, and as long as that source remains, the setting points to feed.sportstream-search.com.
The page then passes your query to a real search provider, so the results look almost normal, with extra sponsored links on top. Changing the search engine back on its own does not last, because the source resets it. Remove the extension or program first, then the policies if any, then set your own search engine.
Is it safe to keep searching with feed.sportstream-search.com?
We would not. Every query you type is logged by its operators and shared with their advertising partners, and the sponsored links at the top are chosen for payment, not relevance. Results that look like a download page or a support site may lead to scams.
The page will not damage Windows by itself, but there is no benefit in keeping it: the results come from another search engine anyway. Remove SportStreamSearch and use that search engine directly, by typing its address or choosing it in the browser settings.
Which browsers does SportStreamSearch affect?
We saw it in Chrome, Edge and Firefox. That does not mean the other browsers on your PC are safe: hijacker installers usually change every browser they find, and browser sync can carry an extension to other computers signed in to the same account.
Check the search engine, home page, new tab, extensions and policies in each browser you have, including ones you rarely open. Chrome and Edge profiles count separately, so switch to each profile and check it as well before you call the job done.
What does feed.sportstream-search.com know about me?
It knows what you searched for while it was your search engine, when, from which IP address and with which browser, and usually which results you opened. Tracking cookies let it connect those searches into a profile. It does not see your saved passwords or files.
After removing SportStreamSearch, delete the cookies and site data for feed.sportstream-search.com so the profile cannot be continued, and remove it from the browser's list of saved search engines. Signing out of important sites and back in also replaces session cookies.
The results look like Google or Bing. Is that real?
Partly. Many hijacker search pages pass your query to a real search engine and show its results, so the list looks familiar. What changes is the frame around it:
- extra sponsored links at the top
- the hijacker's own tracking
- sometimes a design that copies a known search engine
You can tell by the address bar. If it shows feed.sportstream-search.com or another unfamiliar domain instead of the search engine you know, the results come through a middleman. Remove SportStreamSearch and search directly.
Will resetting the browser remove SportStreamSearch?
A reset disables extensions, restores the default search engine, start page and new tab, and clears temporary data and cookies. It keeps bookmarks, history and saved passwords. For many hijackers that is enough.
It does not remove a program installed in Windows, policies in the registry, changes to the hosts file or DNS, or edited shortcuts, so SportStreamSearch can come back after a reset if one of those remains. Do the reset after removing the program and policies, not instead of it.
I changed the search engine, but it switched back. Why?
The hijacker is still installed, and it rewrites the setting whenever the browser starts or the extension updates. Changing the setting is the last step, not the first. Find what controls it: the search settings page usually names the extension, and a greyed-out field means a policy.
Remove that source, restart the browser, then pick your search engine and delete the hijacker's entry from the list of saved search engines so it cannot be chosen by accident. Check again after a day, when extensions have had a chance to update.
Will Fortect remove SportStreamSearch?
Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.
For SportStreamSearch, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.
Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.
Sources
- Emsisoft: Potentially Unwanted Programs slow down your system and can be harmful: Here's what can you do about it (read October 6, 2026)
- Dieviren: SICHERHEIT- UND SPYWARE-NEUIGKEITEN (read October 6, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 6, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 6, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: How Microsoft names malware (read October 6, 2026)