GamerSuperstar. How to remove? (Uninstall guide)
GamerSuperstar – potentially unwanted program that displays ads
GamerSuperstar is an adware[1] that spreads bundled with freeware and might affect both Windows and Mac operating systems. Typically, it spreads as Advertisement Offers by GamerSuperstar add-on that is compatible with Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. After installation, targeted browsers are bombarded with ads.
Summary | |
---|---|
Name | GamerSuperstar |
Type | Adware |
Danger level | Medium. Hijacks web browsers in order to display ads |
Affected OS | Mac OS X, Windows |
Targeted browsers | Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari |
Symptoms | Increased amount of ads, pop-ups, in-texts, banners, and similar advertisements in the browser |
Distribution methods | GamerSuperstar.com website and software bundles |
To uninstall GamerSuperstar, install Reimage and run a full system scan |
Originally, GamerSuperstar is an online gaming website. However, it offers to download a browser extension that causes the majority of problems. Additionally, this add-on can be installed silently if people do not pay attention to the installation of free programs.
So-called GamerSuperstar virus is designed to display various types of commercial content, such as:
- promotional videos;
- banners offering shopping discounts or promoting other questionable content;
- in-text ads in random articles;
- pop-up ads warning about computer viruses or asking to install unknown security software;
- pop-ups that urge to install fake updates;
- ads promoting suspicious games or browser extensions, such as slither.io.
GamerSuperstar ads might be delivered anytime you browse the web. Adware might use a virtual layer to display third-party commercial content on each visited website. Users are warned to stay away from these ads because they might be malicious. The research has shown that some of them might contain malware executables[2] or redirect to phishing websites.
GamerSuperstar redirect problems are also concerning. After the installation, adware might trigger sudden browser redirects to various websites. While some of the sites just want to increase traffic; others are waiting for potential victims who would call fake tech support line or agree to install malicious software.
Additionally, GamerSuperstar might collect information about users and their browsing activities. Adware might be gathering the following details:
- IP address;
- location;
- browsing history;
- clicked ads;
- clicked organic search results;
- search queries;
- etc.
All these details allow creating a user profile which allows delivering targeted ads. These ads are based on user’s interest, so chances to get a click increases. Each click and redirect to an affiliate site is profitable for developers of adware. However, we warned that these activities might be dangerous to the user. So, you should remove GamerSuperstar ASAP.
You can uninstall GamerSuperstar from browser’s extension. However, it might not be enough. It’s important to make sure that other questionable add-ons are not installed as well. Once you get rid of them all, you should reset the browser.
However, some adware-related components might be installed on the system as well. If they are left, ads continue bombarding the browser. You can avoid the failure if you opt for automatic GamerSuperstar removal with Reimage or another anti-malware.


Click 'Start -> Control Panel -> Programs and Features' (if you are 'Windows XP' user, click on 'Add/Remove Programs').

If you are 'Windows 10 / Windows 8' user, then right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once 'Quick Access Menu' shows up, select 'Control Panel' and 'Uninstall a Program'.

Right click on each of suspicious entries and select 'Uninstall'

Cick 'Go' and select 'Applications'

Click on every malicious entry and select 'Move to Trash'

Click on menu icon and select 'Manage add-ons'

Right click on each of malicious entries and select 'Disable'

Delete malicious URL, enter your desired domain name and click 'Apply' to save changes

Go to 'Advanced' tab and click on 'Reset' button. Now select 'Delete personal settings' and click on 'Reset' button again

Go to Settings and select 'Choose what to clear'

Select 'Clear' button

Open the start menu and select 'Task Manager'

Right-click 'Microsoft Edge' and select 'Go to details'

Select 'More details' if 'Go to details' option fails to show up

Find Microsoft Edge entries and select 'End Task'

Go to Microsoft Edge folder on your computer, right-click every entry and click 'Delete'

Find Windows PowerShell, right-click it and select 'Run as administrator'

Copy and paste a required command and press 'Enter'

Click on menu icon and select 'Add-ons'

Select 'Extensions' and look for malicious entries. Click 'Remove' to get rid of each of them

Click on menu icon and then on '?'. Select 'Troubleshooting Information'

Click on 'Reset Firefox' button for a couple of times

Click on menu icon. Select 'Tools' and 'Extensions'

Look for malicious entries and delete each of them by clicking on the Trash bin icon

When in 'Settings', select 'Manage search engines...'

Click 'X' to remove malicious URLs

When in 'Settings', scroll down to 'Reset browser settings' button and click on it

Click on 'Reset' button to complete your removal

Click on 'Safari' and select 'Preferences'

Go to 'Extensions' and uninstall malicious add-ons

Click on 'Safari' and select 'Reset Safari...'

Select all options and click on 'Reset' button
The ways how ad-supported program spread
This potentially unwanted program (PUP) is available to download on GamerSuperstar.com website. However, users can be offered to download it on shady websites or software bundles. But the latter method seems to be most popular.
According to security team from Bedynet.ru,[3] developers of PUP take advantage of incorrect installation of free programs. Freeware and shareware often include “optional downloads” which can be installed silently when users choose Standard/Quick setup.
These settings rarely inform about additional apps, but still installs them. This problem can be avoided if users read EULA, choose Advanced/Custom installation and unmark the ticks from pre-selected entries.
Uninstall GamerSuperstar from Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Safari
To remove GamerSuperstar, you have to uninstall this browser extension and other questionable components from Windows and Mac operating systems. Additionally, reset the browser to get rid of tracking cookies.
You can find manual GamerSuperstar removal guide at the end of the article. However, if it seems complicated or you want a quicker solution, please install anti-malware software. After updating it, run a full system scan.
You can remove virus damage automatically with a help of one of these programs: Reimage, Malwarebytes MalwarebytesCombo Cleaner, Plumbytes Anti-MalwareMalwarebytes Malwarebytes. We recommend these applications because they detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
To remove GamerSuperstar, follow these steps:
Remove GamerSuperstar from Windows systems
To uninstall adware from Windows OS entirely, follow this guide:
-
Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
-
If you are Windows 10 / Windows 8 user, then right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once Quick Access Menu shows up, select Control Panel and Uninstall a Program.
-
Uninstall GamerSuperstar and related programs
Here, look for GamerSuperstar or any other recently installed suspicious programs. -
Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes.
Get rid of GamerSuperstar from Mac OS X system
To eliminate all components related to GamerSuperstar from Mac OS X, follow these steps:
-
If you are using OS X, click Go button at the top left of the screen and select Applications.
-
Wait until you see Applications folder and look for GamerSuperstar or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.
Eliminate GamerSuperstar from Internet Explorer (IE)
-
Remove dangerous add-ons
Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top right corner of the browser and choose Manage Add-ons. -
You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for GamerSuperstar and other suspicious plugins. Disable these entries by clicking Disable:
-
Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Click on the gear icon (menu) on the top right corner of the browser and select Internet Options. Stay in General tab. -
Here, remove malicious URL and enter preferable domain name. Click Apply to save changes.
-
Reset Internet Explorer
Click on the gear icon (menu) again and select Internet options. Go to Advanced tab. - Here, select Reset.
-
When in the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset again to complete GamerSuperstar removal.
Erase GamerSuperstar from Microsoft Edge
Reset Microsoft Edge settings (Method 1):
- Launch Microsoft Edge app and click More (three dots at the top right corner of the screen).
- Click Settings to open more options.
-
Once Settings window shows up, click Choose what to clear button under Clear browsing data option.
-
Here, select all what you want to remove and click Clear.
-
Now you should right-click on the Start button (Windows logo). Here, select Task Manager.
- When in Processes tab, search for Microsoft Edge.
-
Right-click on it and choose Go to details option. If can’t see Go to details option, click More details and repeat previous steps.
-
When Details tab shows up, find every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right click on each of them and select End Task to end these entries.
Resetting Microsoft Edge browser (Method 2):
If Method 1 failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method.
- Note: you need to backup your data before using this method.
- Find this folder on your computer:
C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
-
Select every entry which is saved on it and right click with your mouse. Then Delete option.
- Click the Start button (Windows logo) and type in window power in Search my stuff line.
-
Right-click the Windows PowerShell entry and choose Run as administrator.
- Once Administrator: Windows PowerShell window shows up, paste this command line after PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> and press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml -Verbose}
Once these steps are finished, GamerSuperstar should be removed from your Microsoft Edge browser.
WindowsMac OS XInternet ExplorerMicrosoft EdgeFirefoxGoogle ChromeSafariUninstall GamerSuperstar from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Uninstall GamerSuperstar extension and reset Mozilla Firefox:
-
Remove dangerous extensions
Open Mozilla Firefox, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Add-ons → Extensions. -
Here, select GamerSuperstar and other questionable plugins. Click Remove to delete these entries.
-
Reset Mozilla Firefox
Click on the Firefox menu on the top left and click on the question mark. Here, choose Troubleshooting Information. -
Now you will see Reset Firefox to its default state message with Reset Firefox button. Click this button for several times and complete GamerSuperstar removal.
Delete GamerSuperstar from Google Chrome
Terminate Advertisement Offers by GamerSuperstar add-on from Google Chrome as explained below:
-
Delete malicious plugins
Open Google Chrome, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Tools → Extensions. -
Here, select GamerSuperstar and other malicious plugins and select trash icon to delete these entries.
-
Click on menu icon again and choose Settings → Manage Search engines under the Search section.
-
When in Search Engines..., remove malicious search sites. You should leave only Google or your preferred domain name.
-
Reset Google Chrome
Click on menu icon on the top right of your Google Chrome and select Settings. -
Scroll down to the end of the page and click on Reset browser settings.
-
Click Reset to confirm this action and complete GamerSuperstar removal.
Remove GamerSuperstar from Safari
-
Remove dangerous extensions
Open Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu at the top left of the screen. Once you do this, select Preferences. -
Here, select Extensions and look for GamerSuperstar or other suspicious entries. Click on the Uninstall button to get rid each of them.
-
Reset Safari
Open Safari browser and click on Safari in menu section at the top left of the screen. Here, select Reset Safari.... -
Now you will see a detailed dialog window filled with reset options. All of those options are usually checked, but you can specify which of them you want to reset. Click the Reset button to complete GamerSuperstar removal process.
About the author
References
- ^ Margaret Rouse. Adware. TechTarget. The network of echnology focused web sites.
- ^ Dan Goodin. Here’s why the epidemic of malicious ads grew so much worse last year. Ars Technica. IT news, reviews, and analysis.
- ^ Bedynet. Bedynet. Russian cyber security news.