How to uninstall the Game Finder Pro browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Game Finder Pro?
The Game Finder Pro app supposedly provides quick access to various online games, however, this application is categorized as a potentially unwanted application (PUA), a browser hijacker.
It promotes a fake search engine (via the search.hgamefinderpro.com and hp.hgamefinderpro.com addresses) by changing browser settings. Typically, browser hijackers gather various information and are classified as PUAs, since people usually download and install them inadvertently.
Like most apps of this type, Game Finder Pro promotes the address of a fake search engine (search.hgamefinderpro.com or hp.hgamefinderpro.com) by assigning it as the address of the default search engine, homepage, and new tab.
Therefore, users are forced to visit search.hgamefinderpro.com or hp.hgamefinderpro.com when they open a browser/new window, new tab or enter search queries into the URL bar. These are addresses of a fake search engine that delivers results generated by the Bing search engine (it simply redirects users to bing.com).
These search engines do not generate unique results and provide results generated by a legitimate search engine. In some cases, they provide misleading results. Note that users who have browser hijackers installed on browsers or operating systems cannot undo the changes made, unless they uninstall the PUA.
In this case, search.hgamefinderpro.com and hp.hgamefinderpro.com can be stopped from being opened on certain occasions only by uninstalling Game Finder Pro. This, however, it is not the only reason to uninstall browser hijackers. These apps often collect various data relating to users' browsing habits.
For example, IP addresses, entered search queries, addresses of visited pages, geolocations, and so on. In some cases, they gather sensitive, personal details. Developers use the collected data to generate revenue by selling it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it in other ways.
This can cause problems relating to online privacy and browsing safety. It is possible that some users might even become victims of identity theft. Therefore, browser hijackers should not be trusted, downloaded or installed.
| Name | Game Finder Pro |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab. |
| Detection Names | Avast (Win32:AdwareSig [Adw]), DrWeb (Adware.Spigot.155), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of Win32/WinWrapper.V Potentially Unwanted), Microsoft (PUA:Win32/WinWrapper), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Browser Extension(s) | Game Finder Pro |
| Supposed Functionality | This app supposedly provides users with quick access to various online games. |
| Promoted URLs | hgamefinderpro.com and search.hgamefinderpro.com |
| Serving IP Address (hgamefinderpro.com) | 52.206.98.99 |
| Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
| Symptoms | Manipulated internet browser settings (homepage, default internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit the 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 browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
More examples of browser hijackers are TV Search, Speed Test Guide and PDF Opener. These apps are advertised as tools that supposedly deliver various features, improve the browsing experience, etc, however, they are useless and can cause serious problems. Remove browser hijackers from the browser and operating system immediately.
How did Game Finder Pro install on my computer?
People often download and install browser hijackers and other PUAs through the set-ups of other software.
I.e., when they are included into the download/installation set-ups as "additional offers". In most cases, offers to download or install these apps can be found in settings such as "Custom", "Manual", "Advanced", etc, however, many people fail to check and change these settings.
By leaving default settings unchanged, they allow additionally-included applications to be downloaded and install together with the required software.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
You are advised to download all programs and files from official websites and via direct download links. Other tools, sources such as third party downloaders (or installers), unofficial pages, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., eMule, torrent clients) should not be used - they are often used to distribute unwanted software.
Downloads and installations should not be finished without first checking "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings - dismiss any offers to download or install unwanted apps. Many dubious web pages display intrusive, deceptive ads - it is not safe to click these ads, since they can redirect to potentially malicious websites or cause unwanted downloads/installations.
Remove any unwanted, suspicious extensions, plug-ins or add-ons installed on the browser and software of this kind from the computer. Also remove any programs of this type installed on the browser or operating system immediately.
If your computer is already infected with Game Finder Pro, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Website promoting Game Finder Pro browser hijacker:
Game Finder Pro browser hijacker installation setup:
Notification stating that Game Finder Pro can read, change and replace various data:
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner
By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.
Quick menu:
- What is Game Finder Pro?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Game Finder Pro application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove hgamefinderpro.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove Game Finder Pro browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove hgamefinderpro.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove hgamefinderpro.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Game Finder Pro 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, "Game Finder Pro"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications that cause browser redirects to the hgamefinderpro.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Game Finder Pro 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://search.hgamefinderpro.com 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 "Game Finder Pro".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the hgamefinderpro.com redirect, 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 "Game Finder Pro" 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 "Game Finder Pro", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.hgamefinderpro.com) 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 "hgamefinderpro.com", 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 hgamefinderpro.com redirect, 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 "Game Finder Pro", 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 disable "Game Finder Pro", remove hxxp://hgamefinderpro.com or hxxp://search.hgamefinderpro.com 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: "extensionControlled"
Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the 
button.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with hgamefinderpro.com redirect 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 hgamefinderpro.com redirect, 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.
Post a comment:
If you have additional information on hgamefinderpro.com redirect or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
Outstanding!
▼ Show Discussion