GamesCrystal Adware

What is GamesCrystal?

GamesCrystal is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) claiming to allow users to play various Flash games. These fake promises often trick users into believing that GamesCrystal is a legitimate app, however, that this PUP usually infiltrates systems without users’ permission.

Furthermore, GamesCrystal continually monitors users' web browsing activity and generates intrusive online advertisements. For these reasons, it is classed as adware.

Once infiltrated, GamesCrystal records IP addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries entered into search engines, and other similar information relating to users' web browsing activity.

This information might seem insignificant, however, it will contain private details that are shared with third parties who cooperate with developers of GamesCrystal (who misuse private data to generate revenue). Therefore, data tracking can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft.

In addition, GamesCrystal generates various intrusive online advertisements (for example, coupon, banner, and pop-up) that do not originate from users' visited websites and conceal underlying content, thereby significantly diminishing the web browsing experience.

In addition, ads generated by GamesCrystal might redirect users to malicious websites - even accidental clicks can lead to further adware or malware infections. For these reasons, we strongly advise you to uninstall GamesCrystal adware immediately.

GamesCrystal is identical to GamesLagoon, DonutArcade, GamesFlight, and a number of other potentially unwanted programs. By falsely claiming to allow users to play Flash games, these applications trick users to install, however, none provide the functionality promised.

Adware-type applications such as GamesCrystal are designed only to generate revenue for the developers. Rather than improving the web browsing experience, they collect personally identifiable information and deliver intrusive online advertisements.

How did GamesCrystal install on my computer?

GamesCrystal has an official download website, however, many users install this application inadvertently, since they do not pay enough attention during the download/installation procedures. Be aware that developers of this PUP use a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' - stealth installation of PUPs with regular (often legitimate) software.

These applications are often hidden within the 'Custom/Advanced' settings of the download/installation processes. Users who skip this section, often install bogus programs inadvertently.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

PUPs are distributed using the bundling method. Therefore, you should never rush the download, nor installation processes. Select the 'Custom/Advanced' settings, analyze each step, and opt-out of all additionally-included apps.

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 GamesCrystal?
• STEP 1. Uninstall GamesCrystal application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove GamesCrystal adware from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove GamesCrystal ads from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by GamesCrystal' from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove GamesCrystal ads from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

GamesCrystal adware 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 "GamesCrystal", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes GamesCrystal ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove GamesCrystal adware from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:

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 "GamesCrystal", select this entry and click "Remove".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by gamescrystal, 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 "Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "GamesCrystal", select this entry and click the trash can icon.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by gamescrystal, 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 "Extensions", in the opened window, remove "GamesCrystal".

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with ads by gamescrystal 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, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....

In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.

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 upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by gamescrystal, 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:

Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.

Post a comment:
If you have additional information on ads by gamescrystal or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

▼ Show Discussion