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Removal instructions for software causing redirects to gaming-news-tab.com

Also Known As: Gaming News Tab browser hijacker
Damage level: Medium

What kind of website is gaming-news-tab.com?

Gaming-news-tab.com is the address of a fake search engine promoted (via redirects) by the Gaming News Tab browser hijacker. This rogue browser extension is endorsed as an easy-access tool to the latest updates, reviews, and other gaming-related news.

Our research team discovered Gaming News Tab's promotional webpage while investigating a Torrenting site that uses rogue advertising networks.

gaming-news-tab.com browser hijacker

Gaming News Tab browser hijacker overview

Browser-hijacking software typically operates by reassigning browsers' default search engines, homepages, and new browser tab/window URLs to the addresses of promoted websites. Due to these modifications, users can be forced to visit the endorsed site whenever they open a new browser tab/window or enter a search query into the URL bar.

In the case of Gaming News Tab, these redirects land on the gaming-news-tab.com page. Gaming-news-tab.com is a fake search engine, and as such – it cannot provide search results. At the time of research, this website led users to the genuine Bing search engine (bing.com). Keep in mind that gaming-news-tab.com could land elsewhere, as factors like user geolocation might influence redirects.

It is pertinent to mention that browser hijackers often rely on persistence-ensuring mechanisms, such as denying access to removal-related settings or undoing user-made changes – to prevent browser recovery.

Furthermore, software within this category usually possesses data-tracking functionalities, and this might apply to the Gaming News Tab browser extension.

Information of interest may include: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, etc. The collected information can be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.

In summary, the presence of browser-hijacking software like Gaming News Tab on devices may lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:
Name Gaming News Tab
Threat Type Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s) Gaming News Tab
Supposed Functionality Quick access to gaming news
Promoted URL gaming-news-tab.com
Detection Names (gaming-news-tab.com) N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (gaming-news-tab.com) 104.21.58.90
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).
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.
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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.

Browser hijacker examples

We have inspected numerous browser hijackers; Energy Pro TabAnime Nook, and Lax Search are just a couple of our latest finds. Browser-hijacking software usually appears genuine and useful. However, the promised features seldom operate as advertised, if they work at all.

Remember that even if a browser extension or application operates exactly as indicated by its promotional material – that alone does not prove legitimacy or safety.

How did Gaming News Tab install on my computer?

We acquired Gaming News Tab from its "official" promotional webpage. In addition to such sites, browser hijackers are endorsed on scam sites that use scare tactics or different false claims to push this software.

Users primarily access these pages via redirects generated by websites utilizing rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads, spam browser notifications, mistyped URLs, and adware.

Browser-hijacking software can also be bundled with ordinary programs. The threat of inadvertently permitting access for bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from untrustworthy sources (e.g., freeware and third-party sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and by treating installation processes with negligence (e.g., using "Easy/Express" settings, etc.).

Browser hijackers are proliferated by intrusive advertisements as well. Some of these adverts can be triggered (by being clicked) to execute scripts that perform sneaky downloads/installations.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We highly recommend researching software before downloading or purchasing. All downloads must be made from official and verified channels. When installing, we advise reading terms, inspecting available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all additional apps, extensions, features, tools, etc.

Another recommendation is to be vigilant while browsing since fake and dangerous online content typically appears legitimate and harmless. For example, while intrusive ads may look innocuous – they redirect to unreliable and questionable sites (e.g., scam-promoting, pornography, gambling, adult dating, etc.).

In case of continuous encounters with advertisements and/or redirects of this kind, check the device and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Gaming News Tab, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Appearance of gaming-news-tab.com redirecting to the Bing search engine (GIF):

Gaming News Tab browser hijacker redirecting to Bing (GIF)

Permissions asked by Gaming News Tab browser hijacker:

Gaming News Tab browser hijacker asking for permissions

Website promoting Gaming News Tab browser hijacker:

Website used to promote Gaming News Tab browser hijacker

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:

Gaming News Tab browser hijacker removal:

Windows 11 users:

Accessing Apps and Features in Windows 11

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:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 8

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:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 7

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:

Uninstall app in OSX (Mac)

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.

Browser-hijacking application uninstall via Control Panel

In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently installed suspicious applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Gaming News Tab browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove Gaming News Tab browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removing gaming-news-tab.com related Google Chrome extensions

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Extensions" and click "Manage Extensions". Locate "Gaming News Tab" and other recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Removing gaming-news-tab.com from Google Chrome homepage

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "Gaming News Tab", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.gaming-news-tab.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:

Removing gaming-news-tab.com from Google Chrome default search engine

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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-news-tab.com", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the gaming news tab browser hijacker, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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.

Google Chrome settings reset step 1

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 2

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 3

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Removing gaming-news-tab.com related Mozilla Firefox extensions

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate "Gaming News Tab", as well as all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Removing gaming-news-tab.com from Mozilla Firefox homepage

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable "Gaming News Tab", remove hxxp://gaming-news-tab.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your default search engine:

Removing gaming-news-tab.com from Mozilla Firefox default search engine

In the URL address bar, type "about:config" and press Enter. Click "Accept the Risk and Continue".

In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled". Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the Mozilla Firefox switch about:config entry button button.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with gaming news tab browser hijacker removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, firefox menu icon in the opened menu, click Help.

Accessing settings (Reset Firefox to default settings step 1)

Select Troubleshooting Information.

Accessing Troubleshooting Information (Reset Firefox to default settings step 2)

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

Clicking on Refresh Firefox button (Reset Firefox to default settings step 3)

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Confirm your want to reset Firefox settings to default (Reset Firefox to default settings step 4)

safari browser logoRemove malicious extensions from Safari:

Removing browser hijackers from safari step 1 - accessing preferences

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...

removing browser hijacker from safari step 2 - removing extensions

In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.

Removing browser hijackers from safari step 3 - changing homepage

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.

removing browser hijackers from safari step 4 - changing the default Internet search engine

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...

resetting safari step 1

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

resetting safari step 2

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) logoRemove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Removing browser hijackers from Microsoft Edge step 1

Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) 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:

Removing browser hijackers from Microsoft Edge step 2

Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) 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:

Removing browser hijackers from Microsoft Edge step 3

To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) 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 Microsoft Edge (Chromium) puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the gaming news tab browser hijacker, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 1

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 2

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.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 3

  • If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

declining installation of browser hijackers while downloading free software sampleA 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 gaming news tab browser hijacker or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users to visit gaming-news-tab.com website?

The purpose of forcing users to visit sites like gaming-news-tab.com is profit. In other words, cyber criminals (e.g., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers, etc.) generate revenue through such redirects.

Is visiting gaming-news-tab.com a threat to my privacy?

To a certain extent, yes. Websites like gaming-news-tab.com usually collect (and sell) visitor data.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are mainly distributed via bundled installers, deceptive promotional webpages, freeware and free file-hosting websites, online scams, P2P sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive adverts.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Gaming News Tab browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate installed browser-hijacking applications. Keep in mind that manual removal (performed without security tools) might not be an ideal solution, particularly when multiple browser hijackers are present. In these cases, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. Additionally, removal-related settings might be inaccessible when this software is installed. Hence, it is crucial to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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About PCrisk

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Software uninstall instructions
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

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