GreatSearchSport – What is it?

“GreatSearchSport” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is distributed as a plugin for your internet browser. It is typically spread as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that aids to browse some specific details, for example, about sporting activity events, make your web browser far more safe, allow downloading of any kind of video, et cetera. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).

Nevertheless, the “GreatSearchSport” plugin is quite ineffective since all such functions are already embedded to your web browser and/or Windows. Such advertising and marketing mottos are targeted at low-skilled computer users, for example, pensioners or schoolchildren. But occasionally even professional users are getting caught on such a lure. In certain instances, this hijacker is distributed along with free programs.

GreatSearchSport Search Hijacker

How harmful is GreatSearchSport hijacker?

Besides its impracticality, GreatSearchSport hijacker is also really hazardous for web browser use. It changes your search engine to its particular – Greatsearchsport.com, and likewise transforms your background, putting its watermark on your background image (or, sometimes, changing it to default with the mentioned sign).

Apart from visual alterations done by GreatSearchSport hijacker, you may notice that many of your search questions are redirecting to the dubious web pages, full of web links and promotions – so-called doorway websites. Such websites can have links for malware downloads. The chance of redirecting increases if you attempt to start Google search page forcibly.

But all these activities are far more frustrating than really dangerous. The greatest danger, particularly for people who have a great deal of secret information in their web browsers, is installed in information collecting functionalities. Cookie files, conversations, often-visited websites, and other activities are easily collected by GreatSearchSport hijacker.

How to remove GreatSearchSport 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 generally very very easy to deal with. In many cases, they have a separate app that can be found in the list of installed programs. As a result of the particular distribution tactic of GreatSearchSport hijacker, it can be quickly tracked and deleted manually. However, if you got GreatSearchSport in the bundle with a free program, your computer might be contaminated with a lot more severe malware – trojans, spyware or perhaps ransomware. That’s why I’d advise you utilize anti-malware programs to remove the GreatSearchSport PUA and all other malware.

You can use Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of detecting and clearing away a wide range of malware, including mentioned hijacker. However, major malware, that might be present on your computer in the specified situation, can disable the Windows antimalware program by modifying the Group Policies. To prevent such situations, it is far better to use GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

To detect and eliminate all unwanted programs on your personal computer with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, it’s better to use 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 folders.

You can observe the detected malicious apps sorted by their possible hazard simultaneously with the scan process. But to perform any actions against malicious apps, you need to wait until the scan is finished, or to stop the scan.

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

Reverting browser settings to original ones

To reset your browser settings, you are required to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action is not able to be counteracted by any malicious program, hence, you will surely see the result. This action can be found in the Tools tab.

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

Deleteing GreatSearchSport 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 time plays against you and your PC. The activity of browser hijacker must be stopped as soon as possible, because of the 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