Gaminghub.online Redirect
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is gaminghub.online?
GamingHub is a deceptive application that supposedly allows users play to Flash games via their web browsers. Judging on appearance alone, GamingHub may seem legitimate and useful, but this app often infiltrates systems without users’ permission.
Furthermore, it promotes a fake search engine and gathers information relating to users' internet browsing activity. For these reasons, GamingHub is categorized as a potentially unwanted application (PUA) and a browser hijacker.
This app promotes a fake search engine - gaminghub.online. Immediately after system infiltration, gaminghub.online hijacks browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) and assigns the new tab URL, homepage, and default search engine options to gaminghub.online.
These changes may seem insignificant, however, users are unable to revert them, since GamingHub continues to reassign browser options when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, as long as this browser hijacker is present, returning browser settings to their previous states is impossible.
Essentially, users are forced to visit gaminghub.online when they search via the URL bar or simply open a new browser tab. This significantly diminishes the browsing experience. As with most browser hijackers/fake search engines, GamingHub and gaminghub.online record data relating to browsing activity.
Recorded information usually includes personal details that developers share with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). These people misuse private information to generate revenue - behavior that can lead to serious privacy issues. We strongly advise you to uninstall the GamingHub browser hijacker and never return to gaminghub.online.
Name | GamingHub browser hijacker |
Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
Symptoms | Manipulated Internet browser(s) settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). User's are forced to visit hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines. |
Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers. |
Damage | Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites. |
Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
There are dozens of browser-hijacking apps that share similarities with GamingHub. The list of examples includes (but is not limited to) TubeTab, ObtenezEmail and Watch Sports Live. All claim to enable "useful functions", but they have just one purpose: to generate revenue for the developers. Most provide no real value for regular users.
Browser-hijacking apps cause unwanted redirects (thereby promoting deceptive sites, most of which are fake search engines) and gather information.
Note that some fake search engines generate false results and deliver intrusive advertisements (banners, coupons, and so on). These typically lead to dubious (potentially malicious) websites. Therefore, using fake search engines might lead to various system infections.
How did GamingHub install on my computer?
GamingHub has an official download website, however, due to the lack of knowledge and careless behavior of many users, this browser hijacker typically infiltrates systems without permission. Unwanted apps such as GamingHub are often distributed using intrusive advertising and "bundling" methods.
The ads redirect to malicious websites and execute scripts that download/install malware. "Bundling", on the other hand, is stealth installation of third party applications together with regular software/apps.
Developers conceal "bundled" PUAs within various sections (e.g., "Custom/Advanced" settings) of the download/installation processes. Furthermore, many users often skip download/installation steps and click advertisements. This behavior leads to inadvertent installation of rogue apps, such as GamingHub.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Lack of knowledge and careless behavior are the main reasons for computer infections. Caution is the key to safety. Therefore, pay attention when browsing the internet and downloading/installing software. Carefully analyze each step of the download/installation processes and opt-out of additionally-included programs.
You are advised to avoid using third party download/installation tools, since these are monetized using the "bundling" method. Software should be downloaded from official sources, using direct download links. Bear in mind that intrusive advertisements usually seem legitimate, but often redirect to dubious websites (gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc.).
They are displayed by adware-type applications. If you encounter these redirects, remove all dubious programs and browser plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with GamingHub, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Website promoting GamingHub browser hijacker:
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Quick menu:
- What is gaminghub.online?
- STEP 1. Uninstall GamingHub application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove gaminghub.online redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove GamingHub browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove gaminghub.online homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove gaminghub.online redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
GamingHub browser hijacker removal:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
macOS (OSX) users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently installed suspicious applications (for example, "GamingHub"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications that cause browser redirects to the gaminghub.online website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
GamingHub browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://gaminghub.online and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer. You can also enter about: blank to open a blank page when you start Internet Explorer.
Change your default search engine:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". In the opened window, select "Search Providers", set "Google", "Bing", or any other preferred search engine as your default and then remove "Search".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the gaminghub browser hijacker, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.
Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "GamingHub" and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "GamingHub", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.gaminghub.online) below the “Open a specific or set of pages” option. If present, click on the three vertical dots icon and select “Remove”.
Change your default search engine:
To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list, look for "gaminghub.online", and when located, click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the gaminghub browser hijacker, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and remove "GamingHub", as well as all other recently installed browser plug-ins.
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://gaminghub.online and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.
Change your default search engine:
In the URL address bar, type about:config and press Enter.
Click "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "gaminghub.online"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with gaminghub browser hijacker removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...
In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.
In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.
In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage and new tab settings:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".
Change your default Internet search engine:
To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the gaminghub browser hijacker, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.
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