Search.gag.cool virus (Removal Instructions) - Tutorial
Search.gag.cool virus Removal Guide
What is Search.gag.cool virus?
Search redirects to Search.gag.cool is not a normal browser’s activity
Search.gag.cool is a suspicious domain that is used for redirecting search keywords to the Bing results page. The program spreads as Gag.Cool browser extension[1] which is promoted as a “viral content search.” Even though it has an official website, this add-on might hijack the browser during the installation of freeware or shareware.
If you somehow end up on the extensions download page and decide to add it to your browser (not recommended), you will receive a pop-up that asks for the permissions:
- Read and change all your data on the websites you visit
- Change your search settings to: search.gag.cool
Therefore, after direct or indirect infiltration, the Search.gag.cool virus takes control over the web browser and controls user’s behavior. First of all, it redirects all searches to Bing which is legit search provider. However, if you want to use it, it’s better to do it without interference without shady third-party application.
The problem is that Search.gag.cool redirect virus might redirect to suspicious websites straight from the results page. The Privacy Policy of the tool reveals that program includes affiliate links and gets paid when users visit particular sites. There’s no doubt that developers want to make as much money as possible; thus, they use shady methods to achieve their goals.
Keep in mind that after the Search.gag.cool hijack, you might be redirected not only to irrelevant or useless sites but potentially dangerous as well. No one can guarantee that these affiliates are not evil-minded people, hackers or scammers. Thus, you might end up on a phishing or tech support scam website.[2]
Additionally, GagCool browser hijacker might use tracking cookies and collect personal information, such as user’s email address or full name. The Privacy Policy also tells that it might track Log Data:
your computer's Internet Protocol (“IP”) address, browser type, browser version, the pages of our Service that you visit, the time and date of your visit, the time spent on those pages and other statistics.
Tracking is a questionable activity that might lead to a data breach as well. Thus, if this extension appeared on your browser out of nowhere, you should get rid of it immediately. The instructions at the end of the article will help you to remove Search.gag.cool manually.
However, we recommend opting for the quicker solution – automatic Search.gag.cool removal which is performed using reputable anti-malware/anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego. All you have to do is scan the system and reset affected web browsers.
Software bundles help to spread the hijacker
Even though Gag.Cool has an official website and is available on Chrome Web Store; it has also been noticed spreading in software packages. To avoid installation of this or other PUPs, you should ditch your bad habit to install freeware using Quick/Standard setup and always opt for Advanced/Custom settings.
Follow advanced installation guide carefully and remove ticks from the pre-selected “optional downloads.” Security specialists from Russia’s cybersecurity website Bedynet[3] tell that careful freeware installation is the only way to stop PUPs from entering the system.
Elimination of the Search.gag.cool
The browser extension is compatible with Google Chrome web browser. However, in order to remove Search.gag.cool entirely, you should also check other web browsers and system for the hijacker-related entries. Sometimes PUPs install additional components to protect the elimination.
Manual Search.gag.cool removal guide is given down below. However, you can opt for the automatic elimination option which requires running the system scan with anti-malware. Once it’s done, you just need to reset affected browser.
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 Search.gag.cool virus. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
Look up for the hijacker-related entries by following these steps:
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
These instructions will help you to find and delete all components related to the hijacker:
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
Access Chrome's settings and go to Extensions. There find Gag.Cool browser extension and click the Trash icon. You should also look up for other suspicious extensions and remove them as well. Then reset Google Chrome as shown 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 Search.gag.cool 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 stealing programs
Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are
There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity. While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.
Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.
Data backups are important – recover your lost files
Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data. Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.
While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as Data Recovery Pro can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.
If this free guide helped you and you are satisfied with our service, please consider making a donation to keep this service alive. Even a smallest amount will be appreciated.
- ^ Rafia Shaikh. Attackers Go on a “Chrome Extension Hijacking Spree” – Several More Compromised. Wccftech. Latest hardware, mobile technology and gaming news, reviews, guides and more.
- ^ Daniel Nations. How to Recognize Scam Websites. Lifewire. Tech how-to guides and tutorials.
- ^ Bedynet. Bedynet. Russian cyber security news.