by Berta Bilbao | September 14, 2016 | 0 Comments browser extension, browser hijacker, redirects

Search.getsports.co main Web page and default search for the browser hijacker which is also called Get Sports. SaferBrowser is the software developer for it. The company is notorious for its browser hijacker programs. The unwanted application changes the new tab, homepage, and search engine of the browsers you use. A toolbar will appear on top of your browsers. An add-on tied to this hijacker can install, too. You will experience redirects. To remove the hijacker and all its files, you should read the article through.

Threat Summary

Name	Search.getsports.co
Type	Browser Hijacker, PUP
Short Description	The hijacker can change the homepage, search engine and new tab on each of the browser applications you use.
Symptoms	The homepage, search engine and new tab of all your browsers will be changed to Search.getsports.co. You will be redirected and could see advertising content.
Distribution Method	Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join Our Forum to Discuss Search.getsports.co.

Search.getsports.co – Ways of Delivery

Get Sports has multiple ways of delivery, but they are all quite popular. One of those is with third-party install setups. Without proper notification, installers found inside freeware, and bundled packages could place the hijacker in your computer system. Installer setups such as these could be set to add more components, by default. Preventing of getting any unwanted features installed, is doable if you find Custom or Advanced settings. You should be able to deselect every additional component from there.

Get Sports could be delivered with the extension found on the GetSports.co main domain of the website. On the above screenshot, you can view the Google Chrome Web Store page of the extension, which is used as one of the primary download directories. The browser hijacker redirect can show up from redirecting links or advertisements loaded by dubious websites. Browsers that could get affected are: Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Safari.

Search.getsports.co – More About It

Search.getsports.co is the primary Web address for a browser hijacker that is also called with the name Get Sports. The website claims to give its users a one-click access to sport matches and live sport sessions like ESPN and NFL. Those services can be accessed from a toolbar placed in your browsers. Beware of the redirect links, and the multiple advertisements spreading from them. The default search engine for your browsers is going to be set to Search.getsports.co.

That is how the search engine looks like:

When your computer has the hijacker, you will constantly be redirected to its search engine. Other browser settings will be altered from the unwanted software, such as your default homepage, new tab setting, themes, including a few minor ones. The developer of the hijacker is the SaferBrowser company. There are many redirects that the company has made, but this one is the most similar to it – Search.searchglnn.com hijacker redirect.

Browser extension related to the hijacker could be found inside your browser applications and could have modified the homepage, new tab, default search, and other settings. A direct result from that is the multitude of redirects which display while you are browsing. Information is acquired from you and sent to servers of the Search.getsports.co developer. Third party affiliates and partners might receive a big part of that information, too.

The extension can do the following:

Read and change all your data on the websites you visit
Manage your apps, extensions, and themes

The Search.getsports.co page will filter every single search query you make through its servers. Sponsored contents and targeted advertising could show up in the search results each time you browse. The advertising content can be of many different types, such as in-text links, pop-ups, pop-unders, or similar ones.

The picture above reveals that a redirect is used in the search results of the Search.getsports.co page. This redirect link is a sub-domain of the hijacker, and it shows briefly, under a second. Your search queries will get filtered, and data acquired from them is going to be sent to the sub-domain in question. Next, you get to see the search results page of a legitimate search engine. From the below snapshot you can see an example showing the search results page of Yahoo:

You should be careful with every search term you write inside search spaces, especially if its credentials, account data or personal details. Read on to find out what information exactly is collected about your online activity and you.

Search.getsports.co – Privacy Policy

In the Privacy Policy of Search.getsports.co is stated that both personally and non-personally identifying information will be obtained by the hijacker. The SaferBrowser company has not yet made any changes to the Privacy Policy of its programs with browser hijacking capabilities since the start of the year. Any data which is gathered from you could be shared to third party companies that might be partners of SaferBrowser.

The policy describes that the information which is collected is:

Search queries and all data you type in searches
Search data and specifics of searches
Country of residence, home address
URLs and clicks
IP address
Browser (version and type)
Name, education, interests
Communications preferences
Telephone number
Operating System (plus other related data)

You can see the policy from this screenshot:

Reading the whole Privacy Policy reveals a statement of how any usage of an application or service connected to the Search.getsports.co website will automatically be considered as approval for your data collection. The SaferBrowser company collects information about you and your browsing habits. The website utilizes browser cookies, plus other tracking technologies, such as Web beacons, for further information collection. You should be careful while using the search of the hijacker and when you are browsing the Web.

Remove Search.getsports.co Fully

To remove Search.getsports.co manually from your computer, follow the step-by-step removal instructions given below. In case the manual removal does not get rid of the browser hijacker entirely, you should search for and remove any leftover items with an advanced anti-malware tool. Such software helps keep your computer secure in the future.

Berta Bilbao

Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.

Guide 1: How to Remove Search.getsports.co from Windows.
Guide 2: Get rid of Search.getsports.co on Mac OS X.
Guide 3: Remove Search.getsports.co in Google Chrome.

Guide 4: Erase Search.getsports.co from Mozilla Firefox.
Guide 5: Uninstall Search.getsports.co from Microsoft Edge.
Guide 6: Remove Search.getsports.co from Safari.
Guide 7: Eliminate Search.getsports.co from Internet Explorer.
Guide 8: Disable Search.getsports.co Push Notifications in Your Browsers.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

How to Remove Search.getsports.co from Windows.

Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Search.getsports.co

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter's malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria

1. Hold Windows key() + R

2. The "Run" Window will appear. In it, type "msconfig" and click OK.

3. Go to the "Boot" tab. There select "Safe Boot" and then click "Apply" and "OK".

Tip: Make sure to reverse those changes by unticking Safe Boot after that, because your system will always boot in Safe Boot from now on.

4. When prompted, click on "Restart" to go into Safe Mode.

5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen.

Step 2: Uninstall Search.getsports.co and related software from Windows

Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:

1. Hold the Windows Logo Button and "R" on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear.

2. In the field type in "appwiz.cpl" and press ENTER.

3. This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press "Uninstall"

Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.

Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Search.getsports.co on your computer.

The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Search.getsports.co there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:

1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.

2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.

3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.

Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.

IMPORTANT!
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.

Step 4: Scan for Search.getsports.co with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.

2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.

3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.

4. After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the 'Next' button.

If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Get rid of Search.getsports.co from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall Search.getsports.co and remove related files and objects

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your Mac with SpyHunter for Mac

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter for Mac needs to purchased to remove the malware threats. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy

1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:

2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:

3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to Search.getsports.co:

Tip: To quit a process completely, choose the “Force Quit” option.

4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.

5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to Search.getsports.co. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.

6: Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to Search.getsports.co. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.

7: Remove any left-over files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:

Go to Finder.
In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.

In case you cannot remove Search.getsports.co via Step 1 above:

In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:

Disclaimer! If you are about to tamper with Library files on Mac, be sure to know the name of the virus file, because if you delete the wrong file, it may cause irreversible damage to your MacOS. Continue on your own responsibility!

1: Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:

2: Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:

3: Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as Search.getsports.co. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.

You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:

→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons

Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.

Step 2: Scan for and remove Search.getsports.co files from your Mac

When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Search.getsports.co, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.

Click the button below below to download SpyHunter for Mac and scan for Search.getsports.co:

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove Search.getsports.co from Google Chrome.

Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu

Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"

Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.

Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Erase Search.getsports.co from Mozilla Firefox.

Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window

Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.

Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"

Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Uninstall Search.getsports.co from Microsoft Edge.

Step 1: Start Edge browser.

Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.

Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".

Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.

Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove Search.getsports.co from Safari.

Step 1: Start the Safari app.

Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.

Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".

Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.

Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.

Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.

A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the Search.getsports.co will be removed.

How to Reset Safari
IMPORTANT: Before resetting Safari make sure you back up all your saved passwords within the browser in case you forget them.

Start Safari and then click on the gear leaver icon.

Click the Reset Safari button and you will reset the browser.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Eliminate Search.getsports.co from Internet Explorer.

Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.

Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'

Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.

Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.

Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.