Does your SportsAddict tab look like it can provide you with the best sports news out there? Even if you are not well-versed in online news portals, it should be obvious that this application is rather fishy. Also, let us ask you the most crucial question: Did you want to install this application? No? It just appeared on your Chrome browser out of nowhere? Then is it not the best indicator that you need to remove SportsAddict as soon as possible? Of course, this program is not a malicious infection, but why would you suffer a program you did not even want to have in the first place?
First, let us look at the program’s distribution method, and the reason users often get caught unawares. You see, this potentially unwanted application (or PUP) can be installed on your browser directly through its official homepage. The site is located at sportsaddict.thewhizproducts.com, and it is very vocal about its best qualities, and why you should install this extension. Supposedly, SportsAddict should be your best buddy if you want to have the latest basketball, football, and baseball news at your fingertips. Does it really work that way, though? The answer to this question is rather vague because we are sure that providing you with sports news is not the program’s main objective.
When we need to determine why exactly such apps enter user computers, we should look at historic ties between different applications. Sure enough, it may sound too pompous when we talk apps that mostly display annoying pop-ups, but when a program comes from a long list of similar applications, you start seeing a pattern. SportsAddict, too, is very similar to GameOn, Muzik Fury, Seen on Screen, and other applications (it is almost identical to SportsHero, by the way), although the previously released programs used to have the Firefox extensions as well. SportsAddict does not have one, but it does not mean it cannot be installed on your PC.
Your main security concern associated with SportsAddict is not the news itself. After all, the application redirects you to nfl.com, mlb.mbl.com, nba.com, and bleachrerport.com. The problem is that this program is distributed for free, so it means it has to get money in some other way, as its creators still need to cover the development costs somehow. Therefore, the application promotes third-party commercial content, and sometimes it may also display modified search results, so that you would click their promoted links.
This proves that the application employs tracking cookies to monitor your online activities. Tracking cookies are not malicious by themselves, and they are often used by most of the popular websites to customize your online experience. Unfortunately, sometimes the tracking can be exploited for malevolent purposes, too. You have to keep in mind the fact that cyber criminals could make use of SportsAddict for malware distribution, too. Therefore, it is in your best interest to remove this extension from your computer as soon as possible.
You can delete the extension from your browser’s extension manager, and no leftover will remain on your computer. After that, scan your PC with the SpyHunter free scanner to locate and terminate other unwanted programs that entered your system together with SportsAddict. Your computer’s security should be your utmost priority because it extends to your personal security, too.