How to remove Sports Robot browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is Sports Robot?
Upon investigation of Sports Robot, we discovered that this browser extension takes control of a web browser by modifying specific settings to redirect to a fake search engine called sportrobot.info. It is important to keep in mind that browser hijackers are often promoted and distributed using misleading techniques.
Sports Robot browser hijacker overview
Sports Robot is a browser extension that claims to allow users to customize Chrome browser new tab experience and change backgrounds. However, upon further investigation, it was found to be a browser hijacker that changes certain browser settings (homepage, default search engine, and new tab page) to sportrobot.info.
Sportrobot.info is a fake search engine that displays Bing search results (redirects users to bing.com). However, sportrobot.info may inject additional ads or sponsored links and provide irrelevant content. Also, sportrobot.info may collect user data and browsing history, which can be used for malicious purposes.
It is worth mentioning that eliminating a fake search engine can be relatively easy or difficult, depending on the level of sophistication of the hijacker. Some hijackers are designed to resist removal and may require more advanced techniques to fully eradicate them from the system.
| Name | Sports Robot |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Sports Robot |
| Supposed Functionality | Users should be able to customize their new tab page and change backgrounds |
| Promoted URL | sportrobot.info |
| Detection Names | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (sportrobot.info) | 104.21.11.147 |
| 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 programs that can modify users' browser settings without their consent and redirect searches to fake search engines. These fake search engines often display irrelevant results and ads or collect sensitive information from users. Users rarely download and install browser-hijacking apps on purpose.
There are numerous examples of browser-hijacking apps. Some of them are Speak Text, World Clock, and Sports Engine.
How did Sports Robot install on my computer?
Although Sports Robot can be downloaded from its official webpage and added to a web browser by following the steps outlined on the page, apps of this type are often promoted and distributed through dubious means.
Browser hijackers can be included with legitimate software and installed without the user's knowledge. They may also be automatically downloaded and installed by malicious ads on websites or disguised as fake software updates or cracked software downloads.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Download software exclusively from reputable sources, and abstain from downloading software from third-party websites and other dubious sources. Be wary of clicking on links in emails or pop-up windows. Keep the installed software and operating system up-to-date. Be attentive during the installation process of any software and uncheck any unwanted programs or toolbars.
If your computer is already infected with Sports Robot, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Sportrobot.info redirects to bing.com (GIF):
Permissions asked by Sports Robot browser hijacker:
Website promoting Sports Robot 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:
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Quick menu:
- What is Sports Robot?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Sports Robot application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Sports Robot browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove sportrobot.info homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove sportrobot.info redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Sports Robot 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 sportrobot.info website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Sports Robot 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 Robot" 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 Robot", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.sportrobot.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 "sportrobot.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 sportrobot.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 Robot", 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 Robot", remove hxxp://sportrobot.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 sportrobot.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 sportrobot.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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users visit sportrobot.info website?
The revenue earned by the creators of sportrobot.info is directly proportional to the traffic on their website. The more users visit the website, the more revenue sportrobot.info generates.
Is visiting sportrobot.info a threat to my privacy?
Sportrobot.info may compromise your privacy if you visit it. Fake search engines have the potential to collect a variety of personal information, such as search history, browsing activity, and other data.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are disseminated through multiple channels, including but not limited to bundling with other software, fake software updates, suspicious websites, links, and advertisements on untrustworthy pages.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Sports Robot browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner is equipped to scan your computer and eliminate any browser-hijacking apps. However, it is important to note that the manual removal of such apps may not always be successful. Removing several browser hijackers this way can be challenging, especially if they can reinstall one another.
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