The GoSportSearch search hijacker is an illustration of an average unwanted program; such applications are promoted enormously nowadays. On this page you will see the detailed guidance of “GoSportSearch” hijacker removal in several ways: making use of anti-malware software and hand-operated elimination process.
GoSportSearch – What is it?
“GoSportSearch” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)1, that is spread as a plugin for your web browser. It is usually marketed as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that helps to browse some special information, for example, about sport events, make your browser a lot more secure, allow downloading of any web video, and so on. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).
Nonetheless, the “GoSportSearch” plugin is fairly pointless due to the fact that all such functions are currently integrated to your browser and/or system. Such marketing slogans are targeted at low-skilled computer users, like pensioners or schoolchildren. However in some cases even professional users are getting caught on such an appeal. In certain instances, this hijacker is spread together with free apps.
Here is a info for the GoSportSearch hijacker
NAME | GoSportSearch |
Site | Gosportsearch.com |
Hosting | AS13335 Cloudflare, Inc. United States, San Francisco |
Infection Type | Browser Hijacker, Unwanted Application |
IP Address | 104.21.23.253 |
Symptoms | Changed search engine; search queries redirection |
Similar behavior | Gamesearchtech, Pdfconvertersearchzone, Search |
Fix Tool | To remove possible virus infections, try to scan your PC |
How harmful is GoSportSearch hijacker?
Besides its uselessness, GoSportSearch hijacker is additionally considerably hazardous for web browser use. It modifies your search engine to its specific – Gosportsearch.com, and also alters your background, putting its watermark on your background image (or, sometimes, changing it to default with the mentioned sign).
In addition to viewable changes done by GoSportSearch hijacker, you may discover that a number of your search questions are redirecting to the unknown websites, full of links and ads – so-called doorway websites. Such sites can contain links for malware downloads. The chance of redirecting rises if you attempt to open Google search page forcibly.
But all these actions are more irritating than truly dangerous. The most important risk, especially for individuals who have a considerable amount of secret information in their browsers, is installed in information collecting capabilities. Cookie files, conversations, often-visited sites, as well as various other activities are easily gathered by GoSportSearch hijacker.
How to remove GoSportSearch search hijacker?
- Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
- Open GridinSoft Anti-Malware and perform a “Standard scan“.
- “Move to quarantine” all items.
- Open “Tools” tab – Press “Reset Browser Settings“.
- Select proper browser and options – Click “Reset”.
- Restart your computer.
Browser hijackers are often very very easy to remove. Usually, they have an independent app that can be found in the list of installed programs. As a result of the particular distribution tactic of GoSportSearch hijacker, it can be easily tracked and removed manually. However, if you got GoSportSearch in the bundle with a free applications, your computer may be contaminated with much more major malware – trojans, spyware and even ransomware. That’s why I’d suggest you utilize anti-malware programs to deal with the GoSportSearch PUA and all other malware.
You can use Microsoft Defender2 – it is capable of discovering and eliminating a wide range of malware, including named hijacker. But major malware, that can be present on your computer in the discussed situation, can disable the Windows antivirus program by editing the Group Policies. To keep away from such scenarios, it is better to utilize GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
To detect and eliminate all malicious programs on your personal computer with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, it’s better to use Standard or Full scan. Quick Scan is not able to find all the viruses, because it checks only the most popular registry entries and directories.
You can spectate the detected viruses sorted by their possible harm till the scan process. But to choose any actions against the viruses, you need to hold on until the scan is finished, or to stop the scan.
To set the action for every detected malicious or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected virus. By default, all the viruses will be moved to quarantine.
Reset browser settings to original ones
To revert your browser settings, you are required to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action cannot be counteracted by any malware, hence, you will surely see the result. This option can be found in the Tools tab.
After choosing the Reset Browser Settings option, the menu will be displayed, where you can specify, which settings will be reverted to the original.
Deleteing GoSportSearch hijacker manually
Besides using anti-malware software for browser restoration, you may choose the “Reset browser settings” function, which is usually embedded in all popular browsers.
To reset Edge, do the following steps :
- Open “Settings and more” tab in upper right corner, then find here “Settings” button. In the appeared menu, choose “Reset settings” option :
- After picking the Reset Settings option, you will see the following menu, stating about the settings which will be reverted to original :
For Mozilla Firefox, do the next actions :
- Open Menu tab (three strips in upper right corner) and click the “Help” button. In the appeared menu choose “troubleshooting information” :
- In the next screen, find the “Refresh Firefox” option :
After choosing this option, you will see the next message :
If you use Google Chrome
- Open Settings tab, find the “Advanced” button. In the extended tab choose the “Reset and clean up” button :
- In the appeared list, click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” :
- Finally, you will see the window, where you can see all the settings which will be reset to default :
Opera can be reset in the next way
- Open Settings menu by pressing the gear icon in the toolbar (left side of the browser window), then click “Advanced” option, and choose “Browser” button in the drop-down list. Scroll down, to the bottom of the settings menu. Find there “Restore settings to their original defaults” option :
- After clicking the “Restore settings…” button, you will see the window, where all settings, which will be reset, are shown :
As an afterword, I want to say that time plays against you and your PC. The activity of browser hijacker must be stopped as soon as possible, because of the possibility of other malware injection. This malware can be downloaded autonomously, or offered for you to download in one of the windows with advertisements, which are shown to you by the hijacker. You need to act as fast as you can.
I need your help to share this guide.
Browser hijackers are among the largest and also disruptive kinds of malware. I published this article to help you, so I wish you will help me to make the computer world completely clean of malware. Please, share this article in the social networks you use – Twitter, Reddit, Facebook – wherever.
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Wilbur WoodhamHow to Remove GoSportSearch?
Name: GoSportSearch
Description: GoSportSearch - a lot of users became a victim of browser hijacker. I have a lot of friends who literally bombed me with the questions like “how to remove GoSportSearch?”. In this article we will show you how to deal with GoSportSearch (Gosportsearch.com), which may corrupt your browser’s correct performance, and create a lot of troubles while you are working.
Operating System: Windows
Application Category: Browser Hijacker
User Review
( votes)References
- More information about PUAs
- Detailed review of Microsoft Defender