How to remove the GameSearchIt browser hijacker?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is GameSearchIt?
GameSearchIt is a piece of software that modifies browsers to promote the gamesearchit.com fake search engine. Due to this, it is classified as a browser hijacker. Hence, it likely has data-tracking abilities employed to spy on users' browsing activity. Due to the questionable techniques used to distribute browser hijackers, they are also considered to be PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).
GameSearchIt browser hijacker in detail
Browser hijackers assign fake web searcher addresses as browsers' homepage, default search engine, and new tab/window URLs. These alterations may sound minor, yet they seriously diminish the browsing experience. GameSearchIt operates in this manner.
To elaborate, with GameSearchIt browser extension installed: new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries typed into the URL bar - redirect to gamesearchit.com. Fake search engines usually cannot provide search results, so they redirect to (or cause redirection chains ending with) Google, Yahoo, Bing, and other legitimate ones.
Gamesearchit.com is not an exception to this. At the of research, it redirected to Yahoo (search.yahoo.com) and searchlee.com. While the latter can generate search results, it is deemed to be an illegitimate web searcher. The search results provided by searchlee.com are inaccurate and may promote untrustworthy/malicious sites.
Browser hijackers can restrict or deny access to the browser settings. Alternatively, they can undo any changes users attempt to make to their browsers. Therefore, recovering an affected browser is impossible without removing the software hijacking it.
What is more, most browser hijackers can track data. They record browsing activity (visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, etc.) and gather vulnerable data inferred from it (IP addresses/ geolocations, personally identifiable details, etc.). The collected data is then monetized by being shared with and/or sold to third-parties.
In summary, the presence of data-tracking software on devices can lead to serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft. To protect device integrity and user privacy, it is crucial to eliminate all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.
| Name | GameSearchIt |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | GameSearchIt |
| Promoted URL | gamesearchit.com |
| Serving IP Address (gamesearchit.com) | 172.67.223.32 |
| 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. |
Browser hijackers in general
ProStreamSearch, Simple Word Count, HDMusicStreamSearches, Media Tab, and GameSearchOnline are some examples of browser hijackers. They appear legitimate and harmless. Browser hijackers also promise various "useful" functionalities, which are typically nonoperational.
In fact, nearly all PUAs entice users into download/installation with fake features. The sole goal of unwanted software is to generate revenue for the developers. Therefore, instead of delivering on any promises, PUAs can hijack browsers, force-open unreliable and malicious sites, run intrusive ad campaigns (adware), and collect private data.
How did GameSearchIt install on my computer?
PUAs are proliferated via downloaders/installers of other programs. This deceptive marketing method of packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions - is called "bundling". Rushed download/installation processes (e.g., ignored terms, used pre-set options, etc.) increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the device.
Intrusive advertisements are also used to distribute PUAs. Once clicked on, the adverts can execute scripts to make stealthy downloads/installations. Additionally, some PUAs have "official" promotional pages from which they can be downloaded and/or purchased.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is advised to research software prior to download/installation. Only official and trustworthy download channels must be used. Since dubious sources, e.g., unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other third-party downloaders - commonly offer bundled and hazardous content.
Download and installation processes must be treated with care. Therefore, it is recommended to read terms, explore all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" options, and opt-out from supplementary apps, tools, functions, and other additions.
It is important to exercise caution when browsing. Intrusive advertisements appear ordinary and innocuous; however, they redirect to highly questionable and unreliable websites (e.g., gambling, adult-dating, pornography, and many others).
In case of encounters with adverts and/or redirects of this type, the device must be checked and all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - removed from it without delay. If your computer is already infected with GameSearchIt, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Appearance of gamesearchit.com redirecting to the Yahoo search engine (GIF):
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:
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Quick menu:
- What is GameSearchIt?
- STEP 1. Uninstall GameSearchIt application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove GameSearchIt browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove gamesearchit.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove gamesearchit.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
GameSearchIt 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, "GameSearchIt"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the gamesearchit.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
GameSearchIt 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 "GameSearchIt" 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 "GameSearchIt", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.gamesearchit.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 "gamesearchit.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 gamesearchit.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 "GameSearchIt", 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 "GameSearchIt", remove hxxp://gamesearchit.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 gamesearchit.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 gamesearchit.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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