How to remove Fantasy-Sports browser hijacker and the redirects it causes
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is Fantasy-Sports?
Fantasy-Sports is a rogue browser extension classified as a browser hijacker. It modifies browsers and promotes the fantasy-sports.xyz fake search engine. Furthermore, browser hijackers are also considered to be PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).
Fantasy-Sports browser hijacker overview
Fantasy-Sports causes redirects to fantasy-sports.xyz when new browser tabs/windows are opened, and web searches are performed via the URL bar. It achieves this by setting fantasy-sports.xyz as browsers' default search engine, new tab/window, and homepage URLs.
Fake search engines usually cannot generate search results, so they redirect to legitimate ones. Fantasy-sports.xyz is not an exception; it redirects to Bing (bing.com). Browser hijackers tend to use persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent browser recovery.
Fantasy-Sports likely has data tracking abilities, as they are common for browser hijackers. The gathered information (e.g., browsing data, personally identifiable details, etc.) are monetized through sale to third-parties.
To summarize, the presence of data-collecting software on devices can result in serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Fantasy-Sports |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Fantasy-Sports |
| Promoted URL | fantasy-sports.xyz |
| Detection Names (fantasy-sports.xyz) | Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Suspicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
| Symptoms | Manipulated Internet browser settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit the hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers. |
| Damage | Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Browser hijacker examples
Pure Dark, WebCouponSearch, Sports-Blast, and ProTabs Default Search are some examples of browser hijackers. They look legitimate and offer "handy" features (e.g., improved searches, easy access to online content, etc.), which are seldom operational.
This applies to nearly all PUAs; instead of delivering on any promises, they can hijack browsers, cause redirects, run intrusive ad campaigns (adware), and gather private data.
How did Fantasy-Sports install on my computer?
PUAs are spread through downloaders/installers of other programs. This marketing tactic is called "bundling" and rushed downloads/installations increase the risk of allowing such content into systems. Intrusive advertisements are used to distribute PUAs as well. Once clicked on, the ads can execute scripts to download/install these apps stealthily. Some PUAs also have "official" download webpages.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is recommended to research software and use only official and verified download channels. Untrustworthy sources, e.g., unofficial and freeware websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc. - often offer bundled/harmful software and media.
When downloading/installing, it is important to read terms, explore available options, use the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opt-out from all supplements. Intrusive adverts look innocuous yet redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., adult-dating, pornography, gambling, etc.).
If such ads/redirects are encountered, the system must be checked and all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - removed without delay. If your computer is already infected with Fantasy-Sports, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Appearance of fantasy-sports.xyz redirecting to the Bing search engine (GIF):
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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Quick menu:
- What is Fantasy-Sports?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Fantasy-Sports application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Fantasy-Sports browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove fantasy-sports.xyz homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove fantasy-sports.xyz redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Fantasy-Sports browser hijacker removal:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
macOS (OSX) users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently installed suspicious applications (for example, "Fantasy-Sports"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the fantasy-sports.xyz website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Fantasy-Sports browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "Fantasy-Sports" and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "Fantasy-Sports", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.fantasy-sports.xyz) below the “Open a specific or set of pages” option. If present click on the three vertical dots icon and select “Remove”.
Change your default search engine:
To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for "fantasy-sports.xyz", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the fantasy-sports.xyz redirect, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plugins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and remove "Fantasy-Sports", as well as all other recently installed browser plug-ins.
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window disable "Fantasy-Sports", remove hxxp://fantasy-sports.xyz and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.
Change your default search engine:
In the URL address bar, type about:config and press Enter.
Click "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled"
Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the 
button.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with fantasy-sports.xyz redirect removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...
In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.
In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.
In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage and new tab settings:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".
Change your default Internet search engine:
To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon 
near it and select "Disable".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the fantasy-sports.xyz redirect, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users to visit fantasy-sports.xyz website?
Cyber criminals (browser hijacker and fake search engine developers) generate revenue through redirects. That is the reason why you are experiencing redirects to fantasy-sports.xyz.
Is visiting fantasy-sports.xyz a threat to my privacy?
Most likely, yes. Websites like fantasy-sports.xyz are known to collect and sell information about their visitors.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser-hijacking software is distributed via program bundling, misleading promotional webpages, unofficial and freeware download sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, deceptive browser notifications/ intrusive advertisements, online scams, fake updates, etc.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Fantasy-Sports browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan systems and eliminate detected browser-hijacking applications. On the other hand, manual removal might not be ideal in all cases. When multiple browser hijackers are within the system, they may reinstall one another. Additionally, removal-related settings can be inaccessible with hijacker software present. Hence, it is crucial to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at the same time.
Outstanding!
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