How to uninstall the GamingSearch browser hijacker from a browser?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
GamingSearch browser hijacker removal instructions
What is GamingSearch?
GamingSearch hijacks a web browser by changing some of its settings to gaming-search.com - an address of a fake search engine. Like most apps of this type, it collect data related to user's browsing activities as well. In most cases users download and install browser hijackers unintentionally, therefore, GamingSearch browser (or any other app of this type) is categorized as potentially unwanted application (PUA).
Most browser hijackers promote address of some fake search engine by making it as the address of a default search engine, homepage and new tab so that users would visit that address when they enter search queries into URL bar, open a browser or new tab. GamingSearch sets the aforementioned addresses to gaming-search.com. Gaming-search.com is called a fake search engine because it provides results generated by Yahoo - it redirects users to search.yahoo.com. In other words, gaming-search.com does not generate unique results. To remove this address from browser settings it is necessary to make sure that GamingSearch is not installed on a browser and/or the operating system. It is because apps of this type do not allow users to modify the settings that they have changed as long as they are installed. As mentioned in the first paragraph, browser hijackers can be (and often are) designed to gather various browsing-related information. For example, IP addresses, addresses of visited pages, geolocations, entered search queries, and other data of this kind. Nevertheless, there are browser hijackers that are capable of collecting sensitive details as well. Moreover, gathered information could be sold to third parties and/or misused to generate revenue in other ways. It means that users who have a browser hijacker installed on a browser (and/or computer) may become victims of identity theft, have problems related to online privacy, browsing safety, or other issues.
| Name | GamingSearch |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | GamingSearch |
| Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
| Promoted URL | gaming-search.com |
| Serving IP Address (gaming-search.com) | 50.63.202.49 |
| 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 Malwarebytes. |
There is a great number of various browser hijackers (some other examples are Alpha Search, MyConverterSearch, Easy Finder). Most of them are advertised as apps that supposed to improve browsing experience, include various features and/or be useful in some other way. However, they are designed only to promote fake search engines and gather various data. In other words, they generate revenue for their developers and are useless to their users.
How did GamingSearch install on my computer?
Most of the times users download and/or install potentially unwanted applications through download and/or installation setups of other software. More precisely, when PUAs are included in setups as extra offers. Usually such offers be declined via "Advanced", "Custom", "Manual" or other settings of setups. Unwanted downloads and/or installations are caused when users download and/or install software without checking and changing the aforementioned settings (or unticking certain checkboxes). In some cases users cause unwanted downloads and/or installations by by clicking deceptive advertisements that are capable of executing certain scripts.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is not recommended to unofficial websites, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule), third party downloaders, etc., as tools to download any files or programs. The same applies to installations via third party installers. Files and programs should be downloaded only from official websites and through direct download links. Furthermore, download and installation setups that have settings like "Custom", "Advanced" should be checked for offers to download and/or install unwanted software. Advertisements that are shown on questionable can be designed to open questionable websites or cause unwanted downloads, installations. For this reason they should not be trusted (clicked). Any unwanted extensions, plug-ins or add-ons that are installed on a browser, or programs of this kind are installed on the operating system should be uninstalled. If your computer is already infected with GamingSearch, we recommend running a scan with Malwarebytes for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Gaming-search.com redirects to search.yahoo.com (GIF):
Notification saying that GamingSearch can read and change certain data:
Websites promoting GamingSearch browser hijacker:
IMPORTANT NOTE! This deceptive site asks to enable web browser notifications.
Therefore, before commencing, perform these steps:
Google Chrome (PC):
- Click the Menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the screen
- Select "Settings", scroll down to the bottom and click "Advanced"
- Scroll down to the "Privacy and security" section, select "Content settings" and then "Notifications"
- Click three dots on the right hand side of each suspicious URL and click "Block" or "Remove" (if you click "Remove" and visit the malicious site once more, it will ask to enable notifications again)
Google Chrome (Android):
- Click on the Menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the screen and click "Settings"
- Scroll down, click on "Site settings" and then "Notifications"
- In the opened window, locate all suspicious URLs and click on them one-by-one
- Select "Notifications" in the "Permissions" section and set the toggle button to "OFF"
Mozilla Firefox:
- Click the Menu button (three bars) on the right upper corner of the screen
- Select "Options" and click on "Privacy & Security" in the toolbar on the left hand side of the screen
- Scroll down to the "Permissions" section and click the "Settings" button next to "Notifications"
- In the opened window, locate all suspicious URLs, click the drop-down menu and select "Block"
Internet Explorer:
- Click the Gear button on the right upper corner of the IE window
- Select "Internet options"
- Select the "Privacy" tab and click "Settings" under "Pop-up Blocker" section
- Select suspicious URLs under and remove them one by one by clicking the "Remove" button
Microsoft Edge:
- Click the menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the Edge window
- Scroll down, find and click "Settings"
- Scroll down again and click "View advanced settings"
- Click "Manage" under "Website permissions"
- Click the switch under each suspicious website
Safari (Mac):
- Click "Safari" button on the left upper corner of the screen and select "Preferences..."
- Select the "Websites" tab and then select "Notifications" section on the left pane
- Check for suspicious URLs and apply the "Deny" option for each
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. Malwarebytes is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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Quick menu:
- What is GamingSearch?
- STEP 1. Uninstall GamingSearch application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove GamingSearch browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove gaming-search.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove gaming-search.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
- STEP 6. Remove gaming-search.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
GamingSearch browser hijacker removal:
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.
Windows XP users:
Click Start, choose Settings and click Control Panel. Locate and click Add or Remove Programs.
Windows 10 and Windows 8 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.
Mac 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, "GamingSearch"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the gaming-search.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
GamingSearch browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
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 "GamingSearch" 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 "GamingSearch", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.gaming-search.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 "gaming-search.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 gaming-search.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 plugins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and remove "GamingSearch", 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 "GamingSearch", remove hxxp://gaming-search.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 gaming-search.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 gaming-search.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.
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://gaming-search.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 "GamingSearch".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the gaming-search.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.
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.
Removal assistance:
If you are experiencing problems while trying to remove gaming-search.com redirect from your Internet browsers, please ask for assistance in our malware support forum.
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Outstanding!
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