How to uninstall BringMeSports browser hijacker?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is hp.myway.com?
The BringMeSports browser toolbar was developed by Mindspark Interactive Network. This extension promises to show live sports events, scores, etc. on your computer. The browser toolbar alone is not related to malware or virus infections; however, it changes users' homepage and default search engine settings to hp.myway.com.
This behavior categorizes BringMeSports as a browser hijacker. This toolbar is installed in a number of ways: Internet users can download it from its homepage, or it may be automatically installed together with freeware.
Internet users should always express caution when downloading/installing free software - developers of these products commonly bundle their free programs with browser add-ons for monetization purposes. Due to BringMeSports dubious proliferation methods, it is also considered to be a PUA (Potentially Unwanted Application).
Browser hijackers operate by reassigning the targeted browsers' homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs to the addresses of fake search engines. Therefore, every single search query typed into the URL bar and every new browser tab/window opened - redirect to the address of the illegitimate search engine.
Typically, these fake search engines are unable to provide search results, hence they tend to redirect to legitimate ones. This is not the case with BringMeSports, its redirects to hp.myway.com are applied in order to monetize incoming web traffic; each user-click on the sponsored search results within the displayed search engine, generates revenue for Mindspark.
Therefore, using hp.myway.com for your daily Internet searches adds no real value, when compared with genuine search engines such as Google, Yahoo, etc. Moreover, the displayed third party ads can lead to installation of other unwanted software or even malware.
What is more, BringMeSports can track data. It monitors browsing activity (browsing and search engine histories) and collects personal information (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). The gathered data is likely to be shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals), seeking to misuse it for profit.
To summarize, data-tracking software can cause severe privacy issues, financial losses and even identity theft. To ensure device and user integrity - all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins without delay.
Name | BringMeSports browser hijacker |
Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
Detection Names | Avast (Win32:UnwantedSig [PUP]), DrWeb (Adware.MyWebSearch.147), ESET-NOD32 (Win32/Toolbar.MyWebSearch.BA Potentially), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:WebToolbar.Win32.Agent.g), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
Browser Extension(s) | BringMeSports |
Supposed Functionality | It can supposedly provide easy access to sports-related content. |
Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
Promoted Domain | hp.myway.com |
Serving IP Address (hp.myway.com) | 23.2.10.129 |
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. |
MyTelevisionHQ, SimplePackageFinder, MapMyWayFree are a few examples of other browser hijackers developed by Mindspark Interactive Network. Users are tricked into downloading/installing them with offers of "useful" features.
However these functions are rarely operational and this extends to practically all PUAs. The only goal of unwanted applications is to generate revenue at user expense.
How did BringMeSports install on my computer?
Some PUAs (e.g. BringMeSports) have "official" promotional websites, from which they can be downloaded. These apps also proliferate via download/installation setups of other software. This deceptive marketing method of pre-packing regular products with unwanted or malicious additions - is called "bundling".
It is often possible to opt-out from bundled content, however rushing through download/installation processes increases the risk of missing such options. Once clicked on, intrusive advertisements can execute scripts to stealthily download/install PUAs.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
All software should be researched and dowloaded only from official and verified sources. Unofficial and free file-hosting (freeware) sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders - are deemed to be untrustworthy, hence they are advised against use.
When downloading/installing, it is important to read terms, explore all available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out from additional apps, tools, features, etc. Intrusive ads appear legitimate and harmless, however they redirect to various questionable webpages (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating and others).
In case of encounters with such advertisements/redirects, it is advised to inspect the system and immediately remove all suspect applications and/or browser extensions/plug-ins without delay. If your computer is already infected with BringMeSports, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Installation setup of BringMeSports browser hijacker:
BringMeSports browser hijacker asking for various permissions:
Website promoting BringMeSports browser hijacker:
Another website promoting BringMeSports 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 hp.myway.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall BringMeSports application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove hp.myway.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove BringMeSports browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove hp.myway.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove hp.myway.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
BringMeSports 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, "BringMeSports Internet Explorer..."), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the hp.myway.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
BringMeSports browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window remove hxxp://hp.myway.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer. You can also enter about: blank to open a blank page when you start Internet Explorer.
Change your default search engine:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". In the opened window, select "Search Providers", set "Google", "Bing", or any other preferred search engine as your default and then remove "hp.myway".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the bringmesports browser hijacker, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.
Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
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 "BringMeSports" 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 BringMeSports, look for a browser hijacker URL (hp.myway.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 "Ask Web Search" 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 bringmesports browser hijacker, 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 "BringMeSports", 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 BringMeSports, remove hxxp://hp.myway.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 bringmesports browser hijacker 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 bringmesports browser hijacker, 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 bringmesports browser hijacker or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
▼ Show Discussion