Remove GamerSuperstar (Removal Guide) - Free Instructions
GamerSuperstar Removal Guide
What is GamerSuperstar?
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 ReimageIntego 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 ReimageIntego or another anti-malware.
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 may remove virus damage with a help of ReimageIntego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
Getting rid of GamerSuperstar. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
To uninstall adware from Windows OS entirely, follow this guide:
Instructions for Windows 10/8 machines:
- Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
- From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
- Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
- If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
- Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK.
If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
- At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
- In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
- Click OK once the removal process is finished.
Delete from macOS
To eliminate all components related to GamerSuperstar from Mac OS X, follow these steps:
Remove items from Applications folder:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
- Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)
To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
- In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.
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 on Uninstall at the bottom.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select everything (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 Disable if you found any suspicious domain.
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.
If this solution failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method. Note that you need to backup your data before proceeding.
- Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
- Right-click on them and pick Delete
- Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- When the new window opens, copy and paste the following command, and then press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose
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 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.
Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Uninstall GamerSuperstar extension and reset Mozilla Firefox:
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 unwanted plugin and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Options.
- Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Options.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data…
- Select Cookies and Site Data, as well as Cached Web Content and press 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
Terminate Advertisement Offers by GamerSuperstar add-on from Google Chrome as explained below:
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 the suspicious plugins that might be 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 unwanted extensions from Safari:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- Go to Advanced tab.
- Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches.
After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware. This will help you to get rid of GamerSuperstar registry traces and will also identify related parasites or possible malware infections on your computer. For that you can use our top-rated malware remover: ReimageIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
How to prevent from getting adware
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices. Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using Private Internet Access VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings. Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact – you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use Data Recovery Pro for the data restoration process.
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