GameSearcher (Virus Removal Guide) - Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge
GameSearcher Removal Guide
What is GameSearcher?
GameSearcher – a browser hijacker that redirects search traffic to commercial sites
GameSearcher is a potentially unwanted program[1] (PUP) that modifies browser settings to redirect all searches through a fake search site. Users who have this browser hijacker installed on their device could see results from different sites, such as Bing, Yahoo, Google, Searchlee, and others. It depends on their geolocation. The search results will be filled with search suggestions and other types of ads.
GameSearcher virus makes modifications to the browser by changing its settings, including the default search engine, new tab, and startpage. By doing so, it can gather various non-personal information[2] that will most likely be shared with advertisers to display customized ads specifically for you.
This browser hijacker doesn't differ much from other similar PUPs like TopSearchConverter virus, DigitalIncognitoSearch virus, BestSearchConverter virus, and others. It's not safe to use such applications or browser extensions. In this article, you'll find out how such intruders operate, how they might have infected your device, and how to get rid of them.
| name | GameSearcher |
|---|---|
| type | PUP, redirect virus, browser hijacker |
| Promoted search site | feed.game-searcher.com |
| IP address | 91.195.240.126 |
| Altered browser settings | Startpage, new tab, and the default search engine |
| Symptoms | Slower device and internet connection, ads in search results, modified browser settings |
| Risks | Collection of non-personal data and redirects to mischievous sites could cause privacy and security issues |
| Distribution | Google Chrome Web Store, freeware bundles, deceptive ads |
| Removal | To properly eliminate any suspicious entry, PUP, or malware, users should do that with a trustworthy anti-malware tool |
| System Repair | To remove any traces of the infection from the Registry, the hard disk, and to delete tracking cookies, we highly recommend using the all-in-one FortectIntego system tune-up tool |
There are tons of various browser hijackers that are falsely advertised as useful tools that will improve your browsing experience, privacy, security, and other device aspects. When in reality, they might do the exact opposite by showing tons of ads and gathering browsing-related data, such as:
- geolocations,
- IP addresses,
- device and browser details,
- used apps,
- visited sites,
- search inquiries, etc.
These are non-personal details that many legitimate websites gather to improve their services and for analytics. But if this information got into the wrong hands, you might become a victim of a cybercrime. But that's not the scariest part. Most dangers are presented with GameSearcher ads.
Potentially unwanted program operators don't care about their users' safety, so the websites you could be redirected to if any ads get clicked might be harmful. GameSearcher creators are not responsible for the third-party content you end up visiting. Such ads and redirects might try to push the installation of other PUPs, try to scam you, draw out private details, or even infect your device with hazardous malware.
Thus we highly recommend our readers to remove GameSearcher from their affected devices ASAP. Although you could do it manually, the best results are achieved when doing it automatically with a reliable security tool such as SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes. Either of these anti-malware apps will safeguard your devices from such perils in the future.
To finish GameSearcher removal, you'll have to scan your device with a powerful system diagnostics tool to eliminate any traces of it from the Registry and other system files and settings. Experts[3] suggest entrusting this task to the powerful FortectIntego system repair tool.
Upgrade your cybersecurity to avoid various infections
Cybercriminals are always developing more sophisticated malware that would be harder to detect. Tech giants like Google, Microsoft, Apple, and others are trying to keep up with the hackers, but it's a really tough task. So the users have to take matters into their own hands.
Since we strive to help our readers in any way we can, we've compiled a list of guidelines that would help you to improve your cybersecurity. Our suggestions won't guarantee that your devices would be impenetrable, but they might help save you from future attacks:
- Always install the latest updates to your operating system and other install software as soon as they are available.
- Keep backups of crucial files on two separate devices/locations, with one of them being offline storage.
- Acquire a professional anti-malware tool. Update its virus database regularly and scan your system for threats at least once a week.
- Use reliable system diagnostic tools to keep your Registry and other system-related settings and files in order.
- Learn the basic techniques that cybercriminals use to distribute their creations either by reading our articles or by googling them.
Automatic GameSearcher virus removal can be done within minutes with reliable tools
GameSearcher browser hijacker and potentially unwanted programs alike can cause only harm. Don't believe misleading ads that state that an app will increase your device's performance tenfold or other lies. Legitimate tools don't need to be advertised or distributed in shady ways.
To safely complete GameSearcher removal, you'll need two applications. First, download a trustworthy anti-malware client and update its virus database. Then perform an entire system scan. Once the results are in, choose to eliminate the browser hijacker with all its components.
Afterward, to remove GameSearcher from the Registry, scheduled tasks list, and other core system settings, use a legitimate system diagnostic tool. And the last step is to restore your browser settings. You can do that with our free step-by-step instructions posted below.
You may remove virus damage with a help of FortectIntego. 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 GameSearcher. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
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
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, 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.
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 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 Settings.
- 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
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 GameSearcher 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: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
How to prevent from getting browser hijacker
Protect your privacy – employ a VPN
There are several ways how to make your online time more private – you can access an incognito tab. However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of Private Internet Access VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise. Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and Private Internet Access VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals.
No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool
If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers – human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence. In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.
If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. Data Recovery Pro is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market – it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.
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- ^ Potentially unwanted program. Wikipedia. The free encyclopedia.
- ^ Non-Personal Information definition. Lawinsider. Legal research site for contracts, clauses and defined terms.
- ^ Losvirus. Losvirus. Spyware news and security.