What is OnlineSportsSearch?
You would think that OnlineSportsSearch is somehow capable of providing searches specifically for sport-related search queries, but that is not the case. This extension is a PUP – potentially unwanted program – and its main tasks involve hijacking the default search provider, redirecting to Yahoo Search, injecting sponsored links/ads, and also recording information about users and their interactions. Anti-Spyware-101.com researchers recommend removing OnlineSportsSearch from Google Chrome, and you might have already figured out that you want to do exactly that. However, if you would like to learn more about the suspicious extension and the different methods that can be employed to delete it, we suggest that you read this report. If questions remain unanswered for you, add them to the comments section.
How does OnlineSportsSearch work?
Before OnlineSportsSearch can start “working” on your browser, it has to be installed. Officially, this PUP is introduced via the Chrome Web Store, and if you have downloaded it from chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/onlinesportssearch/anklmomahpndggnpbfknmingcnfkijnk, the chances are that you were not introduced to any additional installers. On the other hand, if you used a bundled downloader, it is likely that additional pieces of software were introduced along with it. If that is the case, or if you do not know where the PUP came from, installing and running a trusted malware scanner is a must. Implement this tool to help you examine the system for additional threats that you might have to remove. We advise doing the same if you have downloaded NetGameSearch, GetSearchConverter, GameSearchMedia, or any other clone of the PUP. All of these extension function in the same ways, and we recommend deleting them for the same reasons, the first one being that they are completely useless. Even if they were not suspicious also, you would want to delete them just for that.
At first, OnlineSportsSearch might not seem completely useless. It sets feed.onlinesportssearch.com as the default search provider, and this tool is set up to redirect to search.yahoo.com. Whether you use this search tool on a daily basis or you only know it by its reputation, you might think that the service promised by the PUP is legitimate. After all, it claims to optimize search results provided via Yahoo Search. But what does that mean? You might have thought that somehow superior search results would be shown, but in reality, all this PUP can do is inject links from third-party partners. Who are they and what are their intentions? We cannot know for sure, and because of that, trusting the injected links is not recommended. We also do not recommend trusting the PUP because it can collect information about you. Even personal information is not off limits, and because the PUP’s developer can share it with undisclosed parties, you need to think very carefully if you feel safe with this extension installed.
How to remove OnlineSportsSearch
There are far better tools that offer far better services than OnlineSportsSearch, and that is the first reason we suggest deleting this extension from your Google Chrome browser. Other than that, we suggest getting rid of this PUP because it hijacks, redirects, collects and shares personal data, and serves unknown parties instead of you. So, how can you delete OnlineSportsSearch? You can do it manually, and we have created a manual removal guide below to help you with that. If this is the path you are choosing, make sure you perform every step. Afterward, scan your system to see what other threats you might still have to erase. If you want to make things easier for yourself, and you also are looking to secure your system, we suggest using anti-malware software because it can erase threats automatically and also secure the system.
Removal Instructions
- Open the Google Chrome browser.
- Tap ALT+F keys on the keyboard together.
- Click More tools to access more utilities.
- Select Extensions.
- Remove the unwanted extension.
- Repeat steps 2-3 and select Clear browsing data.
- Click Advanced.
- Pick the time range and boxes of your choice.
- Click Clear data.
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