Remove SportsSearchDirect Redirect — How to Fix Guide

SportsSearchDirect – What is it?

“SportsSearchDirect” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is distributed as a plugin for your internet browser. It is typically spread as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that helps to browse some particular information, as an example, about sporting activity events, make your web browser far more secure, enable downloading of any type of web video, et cetera. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).

Nonetheless, the “SportsSearchDirect” plugin is rather pointless due to the fact that all such functions are already embedded to your web browser and/or Windows. Such advertising mottos are targeted at low-skilled computer users, like pensioners or schoolchildren. However sometimes even experienced users are getting caught on such a lure. In specific situations, this hijacker is distributed together with free software.

SportsSearchDirect Search Hijacker

How harmful is SportsSearchDirect hijacker?

Besides its impracticality, SportsSearchDirect hijacker is likewise considerably hazardous for browser use. It transforms your search engine to its particular – Sportssearchdirect.com, and also transforms your background, putting its watermark on your wallpaper (or, sometimes, altering it to default with the mentioned symbol).

Besides seeable alterations done by SportsSearchDirect hijacker, you can observe that some of your search questions are redirecting to the untrustworthy web pages, full of web links and promotions – so-called doorway websites. Such websites can have links for malware downloads. The chance of redirecting increases if you try to launch Google search page by force.

But all these actions are far more irritating than truly harmful. The major hazard, specifically for individuals who have a considerable amount of confidential information in their internet browsers, is embedded in information collecting functionalities. Cookie files, conversations, often-visited websites, as well as other activities are simply gathered by SportsSearchDirect hijacker.

How to remove SportsSearchDirect 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 fairly simple to delete. In many cases, they have an independent app that can be located in the list of installed applications. As a result of the specific distribution method of SportsSearchDirect hijacker, it can be simply tracked and erased by hand. Nevertheless, if you got SportsSearchDirect in the bundle with a free program, your PC may be contaminated with far more dangerous malware – trojans, spyware or even ransomware. That’s why I’d suggest you make use of anti-malware tools to deal with the SportsSearchDirect PUA and all other malware.

You can use Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of recognizing and clearing away various malware, including named hijacker. However, major malware, that may be present on your PC in the discussed case, can disable the Windows antivirus tool by editing the Group Policies. To keep away from such scenarios, it is better to make use of GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

To detect and eliminate all malicious applications on your desktop with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, it’s better to utilize 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 observe the detected malicious apps sorted by their possible harm during the scan process. But to choose any actions against malicious apps, you need to wait until the scan is over, or to stop the scan.

To set the action for each detected malicious or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected malicious app. By default, all the viruses will be moved to quarantine.

Reverting 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 malicious program, hence, you will surely see the result. This option can be found in the Tools tab.

After pressing the Reset Browser Settings option, the menu will be shown, where you can specify, which settings will be reverted to the original.

Deleteing SportsSearchDirect 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.

1. Open “Settings and more” tab in upper right corner, then find here “Settings” button. In the appeared menu, choose “Reset settings” option :
2. After picking the Reset Settings option, you will see the following menu, stating about the settings which will be reverted to original :

1. Open Menu tab (three strips in upper right corner) and click the “Help” button. In the appeared menu choose “troubleshooting information” :
2. In the next screen, find the “Refresh Firefox” option :

After choosing this option, you will see the next message :

1. Open Settings tab, find the “Advanced” button. In the extended tab choose the “Reset and clean up” button :
2. In the appeared list, click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” :
3. Finally, you will see the window, where you can see all the settings which will be reset to default :
   

1. 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 :
2. 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.

References

1. More information about PUAs
2. Detailed review of Microsoft Defender