How to remove the GamerSearch browser hijacker

What is GamerSearch?

GamerSearch promotes gamer-search.com (a fake search engine) by changing certain browser settings. Commonly, apps of this type also collect browsing-related information. Generally, users download and install browser hijackers inadvertently and, for this reason, they are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

Typically, after installation, browser hijackers change browser settings such as the address of the homepage, default search engine and new tab (they assign them to the address of a fake search engine). In this case, GamerSearch assigns them to gamer-search.com.

Thherefore, with GamerSearch installed on browsers, users are forced to visit gamer-search.com when they open a browser, new tab or enter search queries into the URL bar. Typically, fake search engines do not generate unique results - they simply provide those generated by other search engines.

Note that gamer-search.com redirects to search.yahoo.com. Commonly, browser hijackers prevent users from removing the address of the fake search engine from settings as long as they are installed. Therefore, to prevent gamer-search.com from being opened, it must be removed from browser settings, and it is thus necessary to uninstall first GamerSearch.

Furthermore, apps such as GamerSearch often gather information relating to users' browsing habits. They usually target IP addresses, entered search queries, addresses of visited pages, geolocation and other data of this kind. Browser hijackers can also record personal, sensitive information.

Furthermore, the developers often misuse the information to generate revenue by selling it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) or in other ways. These actions can cause problems relating to browsing safety and online privacy, and, depending on the collected information, it could be used to steal identities.

In any case, browser hijackers should never be downloaded or installed.

Threat Summary:

Name	GamerSearch
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab.
Browser Extension(s)	GamerSearch
Supposed Functionality	Improved web browsing experience.
Promoted URL	gamer-search.com
Serving IP Address (gamer-search.com)	104.27.136.69
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. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner 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.

To summarize, browser hijackers are PUAs that force users to visit certain addresses and track information. They are often advertised as useful, and supposedly improve the browsing experience, include various features, etc. In fact, the majority of browser hijackers are useless to regular users and can cause serious problems.

Some examples of other apps of this type are ConvertMySearch, Sirris App and Trafc Tab.

How did GamerSearch install on my computer?

Browser hijackers, adware-type apps, and other types of PUAs are commonly distributed by integrating them into the download and/or installation set-ups of other programs, so that at a proportion of users inadvertently download and install them together with their chosen software.

This distribution method is known as "bundling". Offers to download and install additionally-included apps usually appear in "Advanced", "Custom" and other settings of the set-ups (where they can be declined). Many users fail to check and change these settings, thereby granting permission for PUAs to be downloaded and installed by default.

Unwanted downloads and installations are also sometimes caused by clicking deceptive advertisements capable of executing certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Programs and files should NOT be downloaded from unofficial pages, through third party downloaders, Peer-to-Peer networks such as torrent clients, eMule), or other sources of this kind. Download only from official pages and via direct download links. Third party installers should also be avoided.

Check all "Custom" and "Advanced" settings and decline offers to download or install additionally-included software before finishing the process. Do not click ads that appear on dubious, unofficial websites, since they can open other websites of this kind or even cause download/installation of unwanted, potentially malicious apps.

Remove any suspicious, unwanted extensions, add-ons and plug-ins installed on the browser, and programs of this kind installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with GamerSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

gamer-search.com redirects to search.yahoo.com (GIF):

Notification stating that GamersSearch can read and change certain data:

Dubious web pages used to promote GamerSearch:

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▼ 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 GamerSearch?
• STEP 1. Uninstall GamerSearch application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove gamer-search.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove GamerSearch browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove gamer-search.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove gamer-search.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

GamerSearch 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, "GamerSearch"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications that cause browser redirects to the gamer-search.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

GamerSearch 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://gamer-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 "GamerSearch".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the gamer-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.

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 "GamerSearch" 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 "GamerSearch", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.gamer-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 "gamer-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 gamer-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 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 "GamerSearch", 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 "GamerSearch", remove hxxp://gamer-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 gamer-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 gamer-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.

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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