About LiveSportSearch hijacker origins

LiveSportsStream installation popup

LiveSportSearch search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is distributed as a plugin for your web browser. It is typically marketed as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that aids to search some particular info, as an example, about sporting activity events, make your browser far more safe, allow downloading of any type of video, and so on.

However, the LiveSportSearch plugin is pretty ineffective because all such functions are already embedded to your web browser and/or Windows. Such marketing slogans are targeted on low-skilled computer users, such as pensioners or schoolchildren. However in some cases even skilled users are getting caught on such an appeal. In specific instances, this hijacker is distributed together with free tools.

How harmful is LiveSportSearch hijacker?

Besides its uselessness, LiveSportSearch hijacker is additionally really hazardous for browser use. It changes your search engine to its particular – feed.livesportsearch.com, and also transforms your background, putting its watermark on your background image (or, occasionally, changing it to default with the specified symptom).

Aside from viewable modifications done by LiveSportSearch hijacker, you might notice that a couple of your search queries are redirecting to the unknown sites, full of web links and ads – so-called doorway websites. Such sites can have the links for malware downloading. The possibility of redirecting surges if you attempt to start Google search page by force.

LiveSportSearch plugin hijacked the search engine

But all these actions are far more bothersome than truly hazardous. The most important danger, particularly for individuals who have a great deal of secret information in their browsers, is embedded in information collecting capabilities. Cookie files, chats, often-visited websites as well as other activities are simply gathered by LiveSportSearch hijacker.

How to remove LiveSportSearch search hijacker?

• Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
• Open GridinSoft Anti-Malware and perform a “Standard scan“.
• “Move to quarantine” all items.
• Open “Tools” tab – Press “Reset Browser Settings“.
• Select proper browser and options – Click “Reset”.
• Restart your computer.

Browser hijackers are almost always rather easy to delete. Usually, they have an independent application that can be found in the list of installed applications. Because of the specific marketing way of LiveSportSearch hijacker, it can be quickly tracked and deleted by hand. However, if you got LiveSportSearch in the package with a free application( s), your computer might be infected with a lot more dangerous malware – trojans, spyware and even ransomware. That’s why I ‘d recommend you to use anti-malware tools to remove the LiveSportSearch PUA and all other malware.

You can utilize Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of recognizing and eliminating a wide range of malware, including named hijacker. But severe malware, that can be present on your computer in the specified situation, can disable the Windows antimalware program by editing the Group Policies. To stay clear of such situations, it is better to make use of GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

To detect and erase all malicious programs on your desktop with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, it’s better to utilize Standard or Full scan. Quick Scan is not able to find all the malicious apps, because it scans only the most popular registry entries and directories.

You can observe the detected malicious apps sorted by their possible harm during the scan process. But to perform any actions against malware, you need to hold on until the scan is finished, or to stop the scan.

To set the action for each spotted malicious or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of detected malicious program. By default, all malware will be removed to quarantine.

Reverting browser settings to original ones

To revert your browser settings, you are required to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action cannot be intercepted by any virus, hence, you will surely see the result. This action can be found in the Tools tab.

After pressing the Reset Browser Settings option, the menu will be shown, where you can choose, which settings will be reverted to original.

Deleteing LiveSportSearch hijacker manually

Besides using anti-malware software for browser restoration, you may choose the “Reset browser settings” function, which is usually embedded in all popular browsers.

1. Open “Settings and more” tab in upper right corner, then find here “Settings” button. In the appeared menu, choose “Reset settings” option :
2. After picking the Reset Settings option, you will see the following menu, stating about the settings which will be reverted to original :

1. Open Menu tab (three strips in upper right corner) and click the “Help” button. In the appeared menu choose “troubleshooting information” :
2. In the next screen, find the “Refresh Firefox” option :

After choosing this option, you will see the next message :

1. Open Settings tab, find the “Advanced” button. In the extended tab choose the “Reset and clean up” button :
2. In the appeared list, click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” :
3. Finally, you will see the window, where you can see all the settings which will be reset to default :
   

1. Open Settings menu by pressing the gear icon in the toolbar (left side of the browser window), then click “Advanced” option, and choose “Browser” button in the drop-down list. Scroll down, to the bottom of the settings menu. Find there “Restore settings to their original defaults” option :
2. After clicking the “Restore settings…” button, you will see the window, where all settings, which will be reset, are shown :

As an afterword, I want to say that the time plays against you and your PC. The activity of browser hijacker must be stopped as soon as possible, because of possibility of other malware injection. This malware can be downloaded autonomously, or offered for you to download in one of the windows with advertisements, which are shown to you by the hijacker. You need to act as fast as you can.

References

1. More information about PUAs
2. Detailed review of Microsoft Defender