GamerHippo Adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is GamerHippo?
GamerHippo is a deceptive program claiming to allow users to play 'Gold Games' from its official website. Although some users may believe this application is legitimate and useful, GamerHippo is classed as adware and a potentially unwanted program (PUP).
There are three main reasons for these negative associations: firstly, GamerHippo usually infiltrates systems and Internet browsers without users' permission; secondly, it displays a variety of intrusive online advertisements, and; thirdly, it collects various Internet browsing-related information.
This dubious app delivers adware, coupon, in-text, and other similar types of ads displayed using a virtual layer, which enables placement of third party graphical content on any visited website. Although none of these advertisements originate from the visited sites, they overlay underlying content, thereby significantly diminishing the Internet browsing experience.
Most ads generated by GamerHippo redirect to various e-commerce websites such as online stores, however, some may redirect to dubious sites containing infectious content - there is a high probability that clicking them will lead to further computer infections.
GamerHippo collects various Internet browsing-related information, some of which might contain personally identifiable details. This gathered information is later shared with third parties who can misuse it to generate revenue. Therefore, the presence of GamerHippo adware on your system can lead to serious privacy issues. For these reasons, you are strongly advised to uninstall this adware immediately.
There are many adware-type applications offering identical features and behavior to GamerHippo - they generate intrusive online ads (via the 'Pay Per Click' - PPC advertising model) and collect personal data (which is later shared with third parties).
Applications such as ArcadeCandy, GameZooks, and CrushArcade all claim to enable 'useful features' simply to trick users to install. After infiltrating Internet browsers, however, they deliver no real value to users - the purpose of adware-type apps is to generate revenue for the developers.
How did GamerHippo install on my computer?
Although GamerHippo has an official download website, users often install this adware inadvertently with their chosen software. GamerHippo is likely to be bundled with software that is free for anyone to download at softonic.com, soft32.com, downloads.com and other similar freeware download websites.
Many users are unaware that developers intentionally conceal rogue apps within the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' options. By rushing the download and installation processes and skipping most/all steps, they frequently install PUPs and expose their systems to risk of further computer infection.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
To prevent installation of adware-type applications such as GamerHippo, never rush the download/installation processes. Be attentive and closely analyze these processes using the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' options - this will reveal any hidden potentially unwanted programs listed for installation and allow you to cancel them.
GamerHippo adware installer set-up:
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Quick menu:
- What is GamerHippo?
- STEP 1. Uninstall GamerHippo application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove GamerHippo adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove GamerHippo ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by GamerHippo' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove GamerHippo ads from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
GamerHippo 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 "GamerHippo", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes GamerHippo ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove GamerHippo adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, GamerHippo did not install its browser plug-ins on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox, however, it was bundled with other adware. Therefore, you are advised to remove all potentially unwanted browser add-ons from your 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 any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the gamerhippo ads, 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 all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the gamerhippo ads, 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 all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with gamerhippo ads 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 gamerhippo ads, 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.
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