How to remove Sports Sensei browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is Sports Sensei?
During our investigation of the Sports Sensei browser extension, our team discovered that it functions as a browser hijacker with the intent of promoting a fake search engine (sportsensei.info). It is common for users to download and install or add browser hijackers inadvertently. Sports Sensei and similar apps should not be trusted.
Sports Sensei browser hijacker overview
Sports Sensei alters the configuration of the user's browser, including the homepage and search engine, to redirect them to sportsensei.info. Sportsensei.info, a bogus search engine, displays Bing's search results, directing users to bing.com, a legitimate search engine.
It is strongly advised that users do not rely on dubious or counterfeit search engines. Such search engines can present deceitful or harmful material and collect user search queries and personal data. The information gathered by these fraudulent search engines can be exploited in various ways that jeopardize the user's privacy and security.
It should be noted that browser hijackers can impede users from restoring the default search engine or homepage. They can compel users to use a false search engine by making it arduous or unfeasible to revert to a legitimate one.
When the user attempts to revert to the original settings, a hijacker may reverse the changes or prevent the user from making any changes. In such situations, users must eliminate a browser hijacker before they can remove a fake search engine.
| Name | Sports Sensei |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Sports Sensei |
| Supposed Functionality | Customized new tab |
| Promoted URL | sportsensei.info |
| Detection Names (sportsensei.info) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (sportsensei.info) | 172.67.143.54 |
| Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
| 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. |
More about browser hijackers
Browser-hijacking apps can gather user data (Sports Sensei can read a list of the most frequently visited websites). That information can be used to create detailed user profiles, which can be sold to third-party advertisers and other entities for various purposes, such as targeted advertising, identity theft, and fraud.
Examples of different browser-hijacking apps are Infinity V+ New Tab, Unitab World Clock, and Sports Madness.
How did Sports Sensei install on my computer?
Typically, browser hijackers are disseminated through various channels, such as misleading websites, dubious ads, third-party downloaders, free software installers, and fraudulent updates. Downloaders and installers that distribute unwanted apps include "Custom", "Advanced", or similar settings.
If the default installation settings are not altered, browser hijackers can be installed alongside other software. This method of distribution is referred to as "bundling".
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
It is advisable to download software only from reliable sources, such as the official websites of the software providers and legitimate stores. Downloading software from unknown websites may expose you to browser hijackers or other unwanted apps.
Always read the terms and conditions of software installations carefully, and exercise caution when granting permission to programs or browser extensions. Avoid clicking on ads or links from unverified or suspicious sources, as they may redirect you to malicious websites or prompt unwanted installations.
If your computer is already infected with Sports Sensei, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Sportssensei.info redirects to bing.com (GIF):
Permissions asked by Sports Sensei browser hijacker:
Website promoting Sports Sensei 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:
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Quick menu:
- What is Sports Sensei?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Sports Sensei application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Sports Sensei browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove sportsensei.info homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove sportsensei.info redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Sports Sensei 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, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the sportsensei.info website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Sports Sensei browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
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 "Sports Sensei" and other recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "Sports Sensei", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.sportsensei.info) 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 "sportsensei.info", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the sportsensei.info redirect, 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 extensions from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate "Sports Sensei", as well as all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable "Sports Sensei", remove hxxp://sportsensei.info 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 "Accept the Risk and Continue".
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 sportsensei.info redirect 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 sportsensei.info redirect, 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users visit sportsensei.info website?
The purpose of forcing users to visit the sportsensei.info website is likely to generate traffic and increase its visibility. By redirecting users to this website, browser hijacking apps can drive more users to the website, which can help improve its search engine rankings and increase its ad revenue.
Is visiting sportsensei.info a threat to my privacy?
Visiting sportsensei.info website itself may not necessarily be a direct threat to your privacy. Still, it is important to note that browser hijackers and fake search engines often collect user data for various purposes, including targeted advertising and even identity theft.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers can infiltrate a computer through various channels, including deceptive websites, shady advertisements, third-party downloaders, software installers, and fake updates. One common method used in browser hijacking is bundling, where the hijacker is included as a hidden component in a software bundle.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Sports Sensei browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner can scan your computer and remove any existing browser-hijacking applications. However, it is important to note that manual removal may not always be effective, especially in cases where multiple browser hijackers are present, and they reinstall one another.
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