Removing the "Sport background pictures new tab" browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of software is "Sport background pictures new tab"?
Our researchers discovered "Sport background pictures new tab" while investigating untrustworthy websites. This extension displays randomized sports-themed browser wallpapers.
After examining this piece of software, we determined that it is a browser hijacker. The "Sport background pictures new tab" extension modifies browser settings in order to promote (via redirects) the feed.topappsparadise.com illegitimate search engine.
"Sport background pictures new tab" browser hijacker overview
On our test machine, "Sport background pictures new tab" assigned feed.topappsparadise.com as the browser's homepage, default search engine, and new tab/window URL. Therefore, whenever we opened a new browser tab/window or entered a search query into the URL bar – it resulted in redirects to the feed.topappsparadise.com website.
It is pertinent to mention that browser-hijacking software often employs persistence-ensuring techniques to complicate its removal and prevent users from recovering their browsers.
Fake search engines typically cannot provide search results, so they redirect to legitimate ones. At the time of research, we observed feed.topappsparadise.com generating two different redirects – to nearbyme.io and the genuine Yahoo search engine (search.yahoo.com).
Nearbyme.io is a fake Internet search site; however, it can generate search results that are likely inaccurate and may include deceptive/harmful content.
Note that feed.topappsparadise.com might redirect elsewhere since that might be impacted by factors like user geolocation.
Furthermore, "Sport background pictures new tab" has data-tracking functionalities. Targeted data can include: visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related information, and so forth. The collected data can then be monetized via sale to third-parties.
To summarize, the presence of a browser hijacker like "Sport background pictures new tab" on devices can lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Sport background pictures new tab |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Sport background pictures new tab |
| Supposed Functionality | Sports-themed browser wallpapers |
| Promoted URL | feed.topappsparadise.com |
| Detection Names (feed.topappsparadise.com) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (feed.topappsparadise.com) | 13.107.246.38 |
| 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). |
| 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
Space Spiders, Flexi Search New Tab, MyToDo, and Motorcycles Wallpaper are merely a few examples of browser hijackers we have investigated recently.
This software usually appears ordinary and useful. However, the features seldom work as advertised, and in most cases – they do not work at all. It must be stressed that even if a browser extension or application operates as promised – that is not definitive proof of either legitimacy or safety.
How did "Sport background pictures new tab" install on my computer?
We acquired "Sport background pictures new tab" from its "official" promotional webpage. Browser-hijacking software is also commonly endorsed on scam sites. Users typically enter these pages via redirects caused by websites employing rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, misspelled URLs, intrusive ads, or installed adware.
"Bundling" – packing regular program installation setups with unwanted/malicious supplements – is used to distribute browser hijackers as well. The risk of allowing bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and by rushing through installation processes (e.g., ignoring terms, using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.).
Intrusive advertisements proliferate browser hijackers as well. When clicked on, some of the adverts can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user permission.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
We strongly recommend researching software and downloading it only from official/verified sources. Furthermore, installation processes must be approached with care, e.g., by reading terms, studying available options, using "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opting out of all additional apps, extensions, tools, etc.
Another recommendation is to exercise caution while browsing since fake and malicious content usually appears legitimate and innocuous. To provide an example, intrusive ads may look harmless – yet they redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.).
Should you keep experiencing continuous encounters with such advertisements and/or redirects, check the system and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with "Sport background pictures new tab", we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Permissions asked by "Sport background pictures new tab" browser hijacker:
"Sport background pictures new tab" browser hijacker's official promotional website:
Deceptive website promoting "Sport background pictures new tab" browser hijacker:
Appearance of feed.topappsparadise.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 "Sport background pictures new tab"?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove "Sport background pictures new tab" browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove feed.topappsparadise.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove feed.topappsparadise.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
"Sport background pictures new tab" 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, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
"Sport background pictures new tab" browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove Sport background pictures new tab browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Extensions" and click "Manage Extensions". Locate "Sport background pictures new tab" 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 "Sport background pictures new tab", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.feed.topappsparadise.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 "feed.topappsparadise.com", 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 feed.topappsparadise.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 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 "Sport background pictures new tab", 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 "Sport background pictures new tab", remove hxxp://feed.topappsparadise.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 "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 feed.topappsparadise.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 feed.topappsparadise.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 feed.topappsparadise.com website?
Cyber criminals (e.g., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers, etc.) generate revenue through redirects to websites like feed.topappsparadise.com.
Is visiting feed.topappsparadise.com a threat to my privacy?
Most likely, yes. Websites like feed.topappsparadise.com typically collect visitor data with the goal of selling it to third-parties.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser-hijacking software is mainly spread via bundled installers, online scams, deceptive promotional webpages, freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive ads.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove "Sport background pictures new tab" browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate installed browser-hijacking apps. Keep in mind that manual removal (performed without the aid of security tools) might not be ideal. In instances when multiple browser hijackers are present: after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. What is more, browser-hijacking software might deny access to removal-related settings and/or undo user-made changes. Therefore, it is crucial to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.
Outstanding!
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