Gaming News Feed: what it is and how to remove it

Gaming News Feed is a browser hijacker that redirects your homepage and search engine to unencrypted tracking pages. It collects browsing data for targeted advertising purposes.

Facts checked October 6, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.

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Gaming News Feed: screenshot
Gaming News Feed as our 2021 report showed it.

Gaming News Feed: summary

DistributionDeceptive ads; freeware installations
NAMEGaming News Feed
TYPEBrowser hijacker; potentially unwanted program
SYMPTOMSHomepage and new tab addresses changed, a different search engine
DANGERSAltered search results can spread misinformation; ads may lead to dangerous pages; user privacy breach
Detection namesNo Microsoft detection name is known
Removal

Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged.

Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free.
Show 9 more facts
DamageNot recorded in the old report
NameGaming News Feed
TypeSearch hijacker extension
SymptomsA changed search engine
Evidence4 write-ups by security sites; details still limited
Search pagebooking.com
BrowsersChrome, Edge and Firefox
First seen31 August 2021
Facts checked5 October 2026

What Gaming News Feed changes in your browser

a changed search engine

NEWS ABOUT GAMING FROM AROUND THE WEB.

Is Gaming News Feed dangerous? What it collects

From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since

Gaming News Feed claims to provide valuable game-related news

Gaming News Feed is an extension that gets added to users' browsers without their consent.

It targets gamers and is probably added by clicking on deceptive ads and installations from unofficial sources. The hijacker changes the default homepage, new tab address and implements a different search engine. When your browser is affected by this add-on, you can also experience an increase in commercial content.

The site does not have any of its own content; it rather includes links from other websites that talk about gaming. It is not worth having this extension installed as you can access the content you want by doing a quick search and the extension causes too much inconvenience.

It does not even seem that you can change the bookmarks to your preferred ones. If you click on any of those, you will get redirected through ww55.affinity.net, which is most likely used to track clicks.

The developers of the hijacker make money with the help of pay-per-click advertising, , so it is not in their interest for you to have the ability to create your own shortcuts to your most visited sites.

When you open your affected browser, you can quickly notice that the homepage - tab.bethegamepro.com is marked as "Not Secure." This is because it uses HTTP and not HTTPS protocol which does not use encryption. This means that the connection can be intercepted and potentially altered, making both the information and you vulnerable. Anyone with interest will be able to extract the information you might have provided on this site.

So it just does not seem worth this pitch to risk your privacy:

Besides having an unsecured connection, the add-on redirects all queries through searchnow.bethegamepro.com to search.yahoo.com. Browser hijackers rarely have their own engines. They redirect users to an already existing one just to make it functional because the main purpose stays the same - generate revenue.

Although Yahoo is considered a safe engine, it is still considered to work worse than Google. It can take a long time to get used to it. Some other hijackers use fake engines that inject ads between the search results and promote malicious sites.

The extension also uses cookies to collect information about the websites you visit, purchases you make, your habits, and other browsing data. It says that some of the information gathered might be considered personal and that they will delete it shortly after.

Users have no way of knowing that, so it is not recommended to trust the developers, especially because they cannot even buy an SSL certificate to ensure users' safety. You can get one for as little as 10$ per year.

A fragment from the Privacy Policy:

If you have been affected by this add-on or PUP, it would be a good idea to clear your browser's cookies and cache. This will delete any data websites have collected about you and should better the performance. You can do this automatically by using a maintenance tool like . It is easy to use and can provide more benefits, like fixing system errors and damaged files.

Gaming News Feed: screenshot
Gaming News Feed in our 2021 report.
Gaming News Feed: browser hijacker
Gaming News Feed in our 2021 report.

From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since

More from our earlier report on Gaming News Feed

  • Remove an unwanted extension via browser settings or by deploying security software if it is a PUP
  • ENHANCE YOUR NEW TAB PAGE WITH MEANINGFUL COVERAGE TO VIDEO GAME-RELATED NEWS AND RECENT EVENTS.
  • With Game Pro you'll get a quick access to all the video games journalism, like: IGN, PC Gamer, Major Nelson and more.
  • Mania Tech may collect the User's search related data.
  • This data may include data related to the URLs of websites that the User visited.
  • Mania Tech will collect this type of data as an aggregated Non-Personal Data.
  • However, web browsing data may contain data that could be deemed to be Personal Data.
  • Mania Tech will delete this type of data a short time after the collection.
  • We will use this data in order to provide certain features of the Software, such as display relevant advertising based on searches.

Check your browser and PC

  • Address: booking.com

How to remove Gaming News Feed

How to remove Gaming News Feed and get your search engine back

Remove the extension first.

The search settings only stay fixed once nothing on the PC can change them again.

  1. Step 1: Remove extensions you did not add

    In Chrome open chrome://extensions, in Edge edge://extensions, and in Firefox the menu > Extensions and themes.

    Remove every extension you do not remember adding, especially search, new tab, coupon, PDF, weather or video downloader add-ons. Check every browser and every profile, because each keeps its own list.

    If an extension has no Remove button or comes back, a browser policy holds it (see "Managed by your organization" in the procedure below). The pages are the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.

    Chrome menu with Extensions and Manage extensions highlighted
    Chrome on Windows 11: More > Extensions > Manage extensions.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Remove a browser extension

  2. Step 2: Put the search engine back and delete booking.com

    In Chrome open Settings > Search engine > Manage search engines and site search, make an engine you trust the default, and delete booking.com from the list.

    In Edge type search engine into the search box at the top of Settings and open Manage search engines; in Firefox use Settings > Search. Then check the homepage and the new tab page in the same settings, because hijackers change all three.

    If booking.com is back after a restart, an extension, a program or a policy still sets it, so finish the other steps and check again. The settings are the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.

    Chrome Settings with the Search engine and On startup sections
    Chrome on Windows 11: check Search engine and On startup.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine

  3. Step 3: Uninstall programs you did not mean to install

    Gaming News Feed rarely comes alone: it is usually installed by, or together with, a free program. In Windows 11 open Settings > Apps > Installed apps, in Windows 10 Settings > Apps > Apps & features, and sort by install date.

    Uninstall every entry from the day the trouble began that you did not install on purpose, for example a download manager, a converter or a browser you never chose.

    Keep drivers and entries from Microsoft, Intel, AMD, NVIDIA or your PC's maker unless you are sure.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Uninstall a program or app in Windows On uGetFix

  4. Step 4: Reset the browser

    A reset removes what the steps above could miss:

    • changed start pages
    • site permissions
    • hidden settings

    In Chrome open Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults; in Edge Settings > Reset settings; in Firefox Help > More troubleshooting information > Refresh Firefox.

    Tip: Bookmarks and saved passwords stay, while extensions are turned off and the search engine and start page return to the defaults.

    Reset every browser on the PC, including Edge, which Windows 11 and Windows 10 always have.

    Chrome Settings page with the Reset settings section open
    Chrome on Windows 11: Settings > Reset settings.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine

  5. Step 5: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan

    A scan finds the parts of Gaming News Feed that the manual steps cannot see. In Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, start a Full scan and quarantine what it reports.

    Follow it with Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) > Scan now, which restarts the PC and checks the disk while Windows and the malware are not running.

    It takes about 15 minutes and works the same in Windows 11 and Windows 10. If either scan finds something, run the full scan again after removal until it comes back clean.

    Windows Security Scan options with Microsoft Defender Antivirus offline scan selected
    Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan

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 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 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. 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.

From our report of Aug 2021 · outdated details corrected in October 2026

Remove Gaming News Feed add-on

Extensions are added through the browser, so you have to remove them from the same place.

We have provided instructions for the most frequently used browsers. Keep in mind, in some cases, this removal method might not work because there might be a potentially unwanted program installed in your system. Try this method first, and if it does not work, proceed further.

MS Edge (Chromium)

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
  • Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.
  • 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.
  • Click Safari > Settings.
  • In the new window, pick Extensions.
  • Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
  • Open Microsoft Edge, click on the Gear icon (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.

From our report of Aug 2021 · outdated details corrected in October 2026

Remove a PUA

Potentially unwanted applications infiltrate the system by disguising as "handy" tools that users get interested in or software bundling.

In the second option, they come attached as a package in the installer together with another program that a person wanted.

They get unseen by users who rush through the installation process and skip the steps. Whenever you download something for free from unofficial sources, make sure to choose a "Custom" or "Advanced" installation method.

Do not skip through the steps; read the Terms of Use, the Privacy Policy, and uncheck the boxes next to the files that are not needed. Even better, try using only official sites for downloading software. We know it can cost money, but you will avoid uninvited guests.

Identifying the program responsible for hijacking your browser might be difficult if you have never done it before. The program could be disguised as anything - an antivirus, video, or image editing software.

If you are not sure and do not want to risk deleting the wrong files, we suggest using or anti-malware tools that will scan your machine, eliminate it, and prevent such infections in the future by giving you a warning before the PUP can make any changes.

If you still want to do this manually, these are the steps for Windows and macOS users:

Instructions for Windows 10/8 machines:

If you are Windows 10 or 11 user, proceed with the following instructions:

Instructions for Mac machines:

To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:

  • 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.
  • Click on Windows Start > Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
  • 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.
  • 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)
  • 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.

Questions about Gaming News Feed

What is the Gaming News Feed browser hijacker?

Gaming News Feed is a browser extension that hijacks your web browser without clear consent, primarily targeting gamers. When installed, it changes your default homepage, new tab address, and search engine to redirect through its own pages.

The hijacker claims to provide valuable game-related news aggregated from other websites, but the actual site contains no original content. Instead, it features links to external gaming news sites alongside quick shortcuts to retailers like Shein, Aliexpress, Fiverr, and Booking.com. All clicks route through ww55.affinity.net tracking redirects.

How does Gaming News Feed hijacker affect your browser?

Gaming News Feed modifies multiple critical browser settings simultaneously. Your homepage and new tab page redirect to tab.bethegamepro.com, which notably uses HTTP instead of HTTPS encryption, leaving data vulnerable. The extension changes your default search engine, routing searches through searchnow.bethegamepro.com before redirecting to Yahoo Search.

This provides hackers opportunities to intercept your search queries. The hijacker injects targeted advertisements and tracking cookies into websites you visit, collecting data about your browsing habits, purchases, and personal preferences. The site's privacy policy acknowledges collecting personal data though claiming deletion shortly after collection.

Is Gaming News Feed safe?

Gaming News Feed is not safe due to multiple security and privacy concerns. The custom homepage uses unencrypted HTTP protocols, allowing potential interception of any data you submit. The redirect tracking system through ww55.affinity.net creates additional privacy risks.

The hijacker uses cookies to monitor your browsing history, purchases, and habits, which may be shared with third parties for targeted advertising. Redirects from altered search results could lead you to malicious websites containing phishing attempts, scams, or malware downloads. Additionally, the lack of an SSL certificate for basic website security demonstrates developers' disregard for user protection standards.

Why does Gaming News Feed modify your browser settings?

Gaming News Feed hijackers implement browser modifications to generate revenue through pay-per-click advertising schemes. Developers profit from affiliate commissions whenever users click links embedded in search results or sidebar shortcuts. By controlling your homepage and search engine, they force you to pass through their tracking system on every search.

This redirecting enables monitoring of user behavior for behavioral advertising sales. The inability to customize bookmarks to personal preferences stems from developers' business model requiring users to click their integrated shortcuts instead. All setting changes intentionally prevent users from easily reverting to legitimate search providers.

How do you remove Gaming News Feed from Chrome?

To remove Gaming News Feed from Google Chrome, click the three vertical dots menu icon in the top-right corner and select "More tools" then "Extensions." Review all installed extensions for Gaming News Feed or similar suspicious names.

Click the trash icon next to unwanted extensions to uninstall them. After removal, click the three-dot menu again, select "Settings," then "On startup" and change from the hijacked page to "Open the New Tab page" or "Open a specific page."

Clear your browser cache by going to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data. If redirects persist, run a full system scan with anti-malware software as additional PUP components may remain installed.

What signs indicate Gaming News Feed infection?

Several warning signs indicate Gaming News Feed hijacker infection on your system. Your browser homepage changes to an unfamiliar page like tab.bethegamepro.com without your permission. Your search engine changes to Yahoo or unknown providers routing through redirect URLs.

Quick link shortcuts appear in your new tab page pointing to shopping and booking sites like Shein and Aliexpress. You notice unusual tracking and redirect URLs appearing in your browser address bar, including ww55.affinity.net.

Browser performance slows noticeably. Pop-up advertisements increase dramatically during browsing sessions. These symptoms collectively indicate successful hijacker installation requiring immediate removal.

Can Gaming News Feed redirects lead to malicious websites?

Yes, Gaming News Feed redirects frequently lead to malicious websites and dangerous content. The hijacker presents forged search results mixing legitimate links with malicious ones, potentially directing you to phishing sites designed to steal credentials. Altered search results may lead to tech support scams claiming your computer is infected and urging expensive software purchases.

The redirect tracking system through ww55.affinity.net lacks proper vetting of destination sites. Some redirects lead to sites hosting malware, ransomware, or trojan downloads disguised as legitimate software. Additionally, the advertising network used displays pop-ups encouraging downloads of PUPs or scareware, multiplying infection risks.

How do you prevent Gaming News Feed hijacker installation?

Prevent Gaming News Feed installation by adopting secure software practices during application installations. When installing programs, select "Advanced" or "Custom" installation modes instead of "Quick" or "Recommended" options that hide additional components.

These advanced modes allow you to deselect suspicious bundled applications before installation completes. Gaming News Feed often arrives bundled with seemingly legitimate programs downloaded from unofficial sources.

Avoid downloading software from third-party freeware websites and instead use official developer sites. Additionally, be suspicious of browser extensions from unknown developers and review extension reviews before installation. Maintain updated antivirus software that detects PUPs before installation completes.

Will Fortect remove Gaming News Feed?

Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.

For Gaming News Feed, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.

Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.

Sources

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