SportsAddict

Posted by Lisa Blanc on August 11, 2016

What is SportsAddict?

SportsAddict is a potentially unwanted application that must have entered your computer accidentally. Such programs do not infect you in the original sense of the word because they require user’s permission to be installed on a target computer. However, it is very often that users install more programs than they need or want, and when that happens, it is necessary to delete the unwanted apps. This description tells you more about SportsAddict, and it also provides you the manual removal instructions. Thus, you should do yourself a favor and terminate the unwanted applications before they expose you to potential security threats. test test test

Where does SportsAddict come from?

Since this application is categorized as potentially unwanted program (or PUP) and not adware or browser hijacker, it comes with a homepage that you can easily access via sportsaddict.thewhizproducts.com. When you open this site, you can see the program has a very big promotional tagline, which reads “The Must-Have Chrome Extensions for ALL Sports Fans!” This is enough to figure that SportsAddict is compatible with the Chrome browser only. Only the other hand, it does not mean it is impossible to install it on your computer if you do not use this browser.

After all, the official homepage is just one of the many distribution methods used by the program’s creators. In fact, it is far more often that such applications spread through third-party sources rather than through their official websites. For instance, SportsAddict usually travels around via pop-up ads. These pop-up ads are embedded in file-sharing websites, gaming sites, and other similar commercial sites that thrive on generating user traffic.

At the same time, it should be pointed out that you have most probably installed many other unwanted programs with SportsAddict, too. If you want to get a full report on your system’s status, you should scan your PC with the SpyHunter free scanner right now.

What does SportsAddict do?

According to the official website, the “Sports Addict New Tab provides these features and web search on your Chrome New Tab.” The features in question are listed as:

Find hard hitting Football news
Easy access to the latest Baseball updates
One click access to Basketball news
Get sports new websites from the WHOLE world

To put it simply, the extension focuses mainly on Football, Baseball, and Basketball news, but it should also provide you with information on other types of sports, too. The question is, however, whether you should really rely on a third-party source for your sports news.

Aside from that, SportsAddict will also change your default search engine to mysearch.com. It is not recommended to run a web search via this search engine because it will provide modified results. This proves that the application monitors your online activities, and it can expose you later on to affiliated content.

Such extensions often rely on third-party advertising because they need to support themselves somehow. There is nothing wrong with that, but the problem is that such programs seldom review the third-party content they promote. Thus, if cyber criminals want to spread their malicious programs, they could make use of SportsAddict and other similar extensions for some free promotion. That is why you need to remain vigilant and attentive. You can never know when a dangerous program might enter your system.

How do I remove SportsAddict?

Luckily, it is very easy to remove this extension on your own. All you have to do is delete it from the browser’s extension section. However, in case you see more unwanted programs and various pop-ups on your screen when you browse the web, you should scan your system with a licensed antispyware tool.

As mentioned, potentially unwanted programs often get distributed in packs, so you may need to terminate a list of other security issues. For the most part, it should be possible to remove undesirable applications via Control Panel.

On the other hand, if you do not feel confident about your removal skills, it is for the best to leave it to the professionals. An automated antispyware tool will definitely help you protect your PC from harm, and you will be able to go back to your usual web browsing routine. Just do not wait until it is too late to do anything about it!