Removing BestSportSearch browser hijacker and the redirects it causes
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is BestSportSearch?
After analyzing the BestSportSearch browser extension, our researchers determined that it is a browser hijacker. This piece of software makes alterations to browser settings in order to promote the bestsportsearch.com fake search engine.
BestSportSearch browser hijacker overview
Following successful installation onto our test machine, BestSportSearch reset the browser's default search engine, new tab/window, and homepage URLs - to the bestsportsearch.com site. Therefore, new browser tabs/windows opened and web searches performed via the URL bar - resulted in a bestsportsearch.com redirect.
Fraudulent search engines are rarely capable of providing search results, so they redirect to legitimate ones. We observed bestsportsearch.com redirecting to Yahoo (search.yahoo.com) and the nearbyme.io fake search engine. While the latter (nearbyme.io) can generate search results, they are inaccurate and may endorse deceptive/malicious content. However, bestsportsearch.com might land elsewhere, as redirects can depend on various factors like user geolocation.
Browser hijackers tend to use persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent users from recovering their browsers. Additionally, most employ data tracking functionalities, and this likely applies to BestSportSearch. Information of interest can include: visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, personally identifiable details, usernames/passwords, credit card numbers, etc. The gathered data is then shared with and/or sold to third-parties.
To summarize, the presence of browser-hijacking software on devices can lead to serious privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.
| Name | BestSportSearch |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Detection Names | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Browser Extension(s) | BestSportSearch |
| Promoted URL | bestsportsearch.com |
| Serving IP Address (bestsportsearch.com) | 104.21.39.23 |
| 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
DigitalConverterz, BestSearchIncognito, and TopConverterSearch are just a couple examples of the browser hijackers we have analyzed. They appear legitimate and offer "handy" functionalities. However, these functions seldom work as promised, and in most cases - they are utterly nonoperational.
How did BestSportSearch install on my computer?
Browser hijackers are proliferated using the bundling marketing tactic - packing ordinary program installers with unwanted/malicious additions. Download from untrustworthy sources (e.g., freeware and third-party websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations - increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.
Intrusive advertisements are used to distribute browser-hijacking software as well. Once clicked on, some of these ads can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user consent.
Browser hijackers are also promoted on deceptive promotional sites and scam websites. Users typically access such webpages through redirects caused by mistyped URLs, sites using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, intrusive adverts, or installed adware.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
We strongly advise researching software products prior to download/installation and/or purchase. Additionally, all downloads must be done from official and verified channels. Installation processes must be approached with care, e.g., by reading terms, exploring possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting-out of all additions.
We also recommend being vigilant when browsing - since fraudulent and malicious material usually looks legitimate. For example, intrusive advertisements look innocuous yet redirect to questionable webpages (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).
If you experience such ads and/or redirects, inspect the device and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with BestSportSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Appearance of bestsportsearch.com redirecting to the nearbyme.io fake 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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By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.
Quick menu:
- What is BestSportSearch?
- STEP 1. Uninstall BestSportSearch application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove BestSportSearch browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove bestsportsearch.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove bestsportsearch.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
BestSportSearch 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, "BestSportSearch"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the bestsportsearch.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
BestSportSearch 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 "BestSportSearch" 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 "BestSportSearch", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.bestsportsearch.com) 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 "bestsportsearch.com", 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 bestsportsearch.com 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 "BestSportSearch", 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 "BestSportSearch", remove hxxp://bestsportsearch.com 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 bestsportsearch.com 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 bestsportsearch.com 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 bestsportsearch.com website?
Cyber criminals (i.e., developers of fraudulent search engines and browser-hijacking software) generate revenue through such redirects.
Is visiting bestsportsearch.com a threat to my privacy?
Most likely, yes. Websites like bestsportsearch.com typically collect (and sell) information about their visitors.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are proliferated through software bundling, misleading promotional pages, freeware and third-party download sites, P2P sharing networks, online scams, fake updates, intrusive advertisements, spam browser notifications, and so on.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove BestSportSearch browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan devices and eliminate detected browser-hijacking apps. It is noteworthy that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might not be the perfect solution when multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system. In some instances, once a browser hijacker is eliminated - the others re-install it. Additionally, removal-related settings might be inaccessible with browser-hijacking software present. Therefore, it is crucial to remove browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.
Outstanding!
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