Swapgame.net offers gaming and search services but actually generates ad-revenue

Swapgame.net virus is a name people use to refer to a malicious domain which replaces browser’s default homepage without permission. A superordinate term for viruses that behave this way is browser hijackers [1].
These potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) [2] are one of the most numerous cyber infections out there. We believe that everyone should learn how these programs work and proliferate in order to be able to recognize and avoid them.
At the end of the article, you will also find Swapgame.net removal instructions which may also be applicable when disposing of similar malware in the future. However, you can diminish the chances of encountering such threats by obtaining professional antivirus software such as FortectIntego or SpyHunterCombo Cleaner.
So what exactly is this Swap Game malware all about? Well, we should start off by saying that it is not a destructive computer virus. It is merely an intrusive website that offers ad-supported gaming and search services.
Unfortunately, as we’ve already mentioned, the domain finds its way on the users’ computers uninvited. Thus, it is natural that people do not welcome it with a smile. The redirects to https://swapgame.net/search.html and other unfamiliar domains also do not support the idea of trustworthiness.
Eventually, people who have installed Swapgame voluntarily or found it on their computers out of the blue start looking for a way to remove Swapgame.net from their devices.
This task may seem challenging if you haven’t got much experience dealing with malware, but don’t worry. Our experts are always there to help! You will find manual, step-by-step virus elimination tutorial below this article.
And quick elimination is really what this shady domain deserves. You will find no Terms of Agreement, EULA, Privacy Policy or other documents anywhere on the site which means that by using these services you agree to anything that the software developers have to offer. Be it intrusive advertising, redirects, installation of additional software or data tracking [3].
Be smart and stay away from Swapgame site!

Three main hijacker prevention steps
Hijackers like Swapgame.com typically target computers that don’t have proper protection software installed. Besides, even with such utilities on board, users may still download the unwanted malware on their computers unknowingly. Here are three ways to avoid that:
- Don’t go around visiting unsafe and unfamiliar websites. These types of sites often host malicious ads and links, which have the full potential of infecting your PC.
- If you end up on such sites, the last thing you should do is interact with any of the content there. Avoid clicking on links, suspicious buttons and ads. Most importantly refuse any offers to download system optimization tools, malware removal programs or install software updates.
- In case you are on an insecure site and random download starts, you should stop it immediately or remove the already downloaded item from your computer. Then, scan the system with antivirus.
Swapgame.com removal: two sides of the elimination process
Swapgame.com virus is a website, so users often think it is enough to reset the web browser to get rid of it. The truth is, browser reset is just one part of the elimination process.
The virus actually leaves residue on the computer, so in order to remove Swapgame.com from it entirely, the system must be scanned with automatic antivirus tools such as FortectIntego.
Remember that smooth Swapgame.com removal will only be achieved if you employ an updated and legal antivirus utilities. Using pirated software is illegal and can result in more damage to your computer; thus it is highly unadvisable.
Uninstall from Windows
Uninstall from Windows 10/8:
- Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.

Remove the unwanted program:
- In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
- If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.

Delete from macOS
Remove the unwanted application:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).

Delete leftover files and folders:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
- Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.

- Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.
Reset Internet Explorer
Remove dangerous add-ons:
- Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
- Pick Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.

Change your homepage if it was altered:
- Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
- Select Internet Options.
- In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
- Click Apply and then select OK.

Delete temporary files:
- Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
- Under Browsing history, click Delete...
- Select relevant fields and press Delete.

Reset Internet Explorer:
- Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
- Select Reset.
- In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.

Remove from Microsoft Edge
Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:
- Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
- From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
- Click Remove.

Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.

Restore new tab and homepage settings:
- Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
- Then find On startup section.
- Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.
Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:
- Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
- Select Details tab.
- Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge
Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and site data:
- Click on Menu and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy, search and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Under Time range, pick All time.
- Select Clear now.

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- On the left side, pick Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- Confirm with Reset.
- This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
- Select Add-ons.
- In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.

Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Settings.
- Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data...
- Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.

Reset Mozilla Firefox
If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
- Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.

- Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
- Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.

Remove from Google Chrome
Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
- Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
- In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:
- Click on Menu and pick Settings.
- Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
- Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data.

Change your homepage:
- Click menu and choose Settings.
- Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
- Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.
Reset Google Chrome:
If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
- Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
- Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Confirm with Reset settings.

Delete from Safari
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
- Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.

Clear history and website data:
- Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
- Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.

Reset Safari:
- Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
- Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.

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