How to remove Sports Engine browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is Sports Engine?
While examining the Sports Engine browser extension, we found that it hijacks a web browser by changing its settings. The purpose of this browser-hijacking app is to promote a fake search engine (sportengine.info). Additionally, Sports Engine can read certain data.
Sports Engine browser hijacker overview
Once added, the Sports Engine extension seizes control of the user's browser settings and replaces the default homepage, search engine, and new tab page with its own fraudulent search engine, sportengine.info.
Although this fake search engine appears to function like a legitimate one, it is specifically constructed to show search results from Bing (by redirecting users to bing.com). As a result, we have classified sportengine.info as a fake search engine.
We have discovered that Sports Engine can read a list of the most frequently visited websites. This can include visited websites, viewed pages, used search terms, and other information that may be used to build a profile of users' online behavior.
The fact that Sports Engine has access to this information is concerning because it raises privacy issues. Browsing history can reveal a lot about personal interests, habits, and preferences, and this information could be used for targeted advertising or other purposes.
If Sports Engine is detected, it is crucial to remove it as it is not a legitimate browser extension. Users can eliminate it manually from their browser settings or by utilizing anti-malware software.
| Name | Sports Engine |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Sports Engine |
| Supposed Functionality | This app is supposed to provide a new tab with cool sports backgrounds |
| Promoted URL | sportengine.info |
| Detection Names (sportengine.info) | Bfore.Ai PreCrime (Malicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (sportengine.info) | 104.21.44.104 |
| 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 hijackers in general
Browser hijackers are unwanted apps that alter a web browser's settings without the user's knowledge or consent. They can modify the default homepage, search engine, and new tab page, redirect the user to unwanted websites, and display advertisements. Browser hijackers are often distributed using deceptive methods.
Examples of different browser-hijacking apps are Flash-Search, Nature Wallpapers, and SAI assistant.
How did Sports Engine install on my computer?
Sports Engine can be downloaded from its official webpage and added to a web browser by following the steps outlined on the page. However, it is very common for apps of this type to be promoted and distributed using shady tactics.
They can be bundled with legitimate software and installed without the user's consent. Malicious ads on websites can also trigger the automatic download and installation of browser hijackers. Fake software updates and cracked software downloads can also be used to deliver browser hijackers to unsuspecting users.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
To avoid browser hijackers, users should always download software from trusted sources and avoid downloading software from third-party websites and similar sources. It is also important to be cautious when clicking on links in emails or pop-up windows. Also, users should regularly update their software and operating system.
Additionally, it is crucial to pay attention to the installation process of any software and deselect any optional programs or toolbars during the installation process. If your computer is already infected with Sports Engine, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Sportengine.info redirects to bing.com (GIF):
Permissions asked by Sports Engine browser hijacker:
Website promoting Sports Engine browser hijacker:
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:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner
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 Sports Engine?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Sports Engine application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Sports Engine browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove sportengine.info homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove sportengine.info redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Sports Engine 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, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the sportengine.info website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Sports Engine 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 "Sports Engine" and other recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "Sports Engine", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.sportengine.info) 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 "sportengine.info", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the sportengine.info 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 extensions from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate "Sports Engine", as well as all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable "Sports Engine", remove hxxp://sportengine.info 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 "Accept the Risk and Continue".
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 sportengine.info 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 sportengine.info 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.
Post a comment:
If you have additional information on sportengine.info redirect or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users visit sportengine.info website?
The income of the creators of sportengine.info is directly linked to the number of visitors to their website. In other words, sportengine.info generates more revenue when the number of its users is higher.
Is visiting sportengine.info a threat to my privacy?
Visiting sportengine.info may pose a risk to your privacy. Pretty often, fake search engines have the capability to collect personal information, search history, browsing activity, and other data.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are distributed in various ways, including software bundling, fraudulent software updates, dubious websites, links and ads on shady pages, etc.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove a browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner has the ability to scan your computer and remove any browser-hijacking applications. Nevertheless, it should be kept in mind that manual removal of such applications may not always be effective. The manual process of removing multiple browser hijackers can be difficult, particularly when they can reinstall one another.
Outstanding!
▼ Show Discussion