GamesFriendly Search – a browser hijacker which promises flawless gaming experience

GamesFriendly Search is a Google Chrome extension,[1] claiming to help users find different types of online games. However, after being added to the system, it can alter the start page, the default search engine and similar settings without their approval. As a result, it has been categorized as a browser hijacker and included in the database of several antiviruses.
Being produced by friendlyappz.com, GamesFriendly Search virus is almost identical to MusicFriendly Search, MoviesFriendly Search, and similar extensions. Unfortunately, none of these apps are beneficial for users. They are created for making money for the developers.
Immediately after GamesFriendly virus infiltrates the system, it sets the homepage and the default search engine to eanswers.com. Then, it drops browser helper objects to prevent these changes from being eliminated. Therefore, we recommend using updated security software to remove GamesFriendly Search from your machine as soon as possible. To do so, you can use FortectIntego.
After GamesFriendlySearch hijack, users might notice that their machine behavior changed significantly and various suspicious activities are taking place, for instance:
- Homepage, search engine, and new tab URL are set to play.eanswers.com. It might seem like an insignificant change at the start, but the effects become evident shortly. After placing these configurations, GamesFriendlySearch will not allow you to reset the settings to default.
- Constant intrusive ads are delivered to your browser, even if you are currently not using it.
- Suspicious GamesFriendlySearch redirect tendencies. The hijacker might redirect to commercial, phishing[2] or malware-related website where users can suffer from cyber criminals.
- System slowdowns.
- Continuously freezing and crashing web browser.
As you can see, GamesFriendlySearch virus can cause numerous browsing-related problems. However, it might pose a risk to your privacy as well. The privacy policy tells that this browser add-on can track information about users and share it with third-parties.
Possible threats to your computer and privacy should motivate you to remove GamesFriendlySearch extension from the browser. However, uninstalling it from Chrome is not enough. You should also look up for other potentially unwanted components and their associated files.
However, you can speed up this procedure with anti-malware software like FortectIntego. It can quickly complete GamesFriendlySearch removal, and you will need just to reset affected web browser and set your preferred startup page and search engine.

Direct downloads are not the main distribution method of the hijacker
This browser add-on is available on the official developer's website and Google Play Store. However, users rarely decide to install it themselves. Most of the time, it sneaks into the system by taking advantage of bad user’s habits.
Researchers from the viruset.no[3] note that too many users still rely on Standard/Quick/Recommended installers which do not openly disclose about third-party apps that might be attached near the primary program. Thus, in this way PUPs manage to infiltrate the system.
To avoid infiltration of unwanted apps, follow these tips when installing new software the next time:
- Always use Advanced/Custom settings while using download manager
- Read through terms and conditions promptly
- Make sure to opt out of any unwanted programs
Delete GamesFriendly Search virus and get back access to your browser
To remove gamesFriendly Search from Chrome, you have to use anti-malware software or do it manually. However, if you are not an experienced user, you should not choose the latter removal option. You might leave some of the hijacker-related entries and get your browser hijacked again.
If you need help with manual gamesFriendly Search removal, please read our guide below. Please be aware that following each step carefully is crucial, as reinfection might occur right after a browser restart. However, if it happens, we suggest deleting hijacker’s leftovers with an anti-spyware program.
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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