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 FortectIntego 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 FortectIntego 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.
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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