GameSearchTech takes over the homepage on popular web browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari and MS Edge.
About This Article
GameSearchTech Brief
| Name | GameSearchTech, Custom Search By Yahoo Redirect |
| Category | Browser Hijacker, Search Redirect |
| Symptoms | Modifying default settings of the homepage on the popular web browsers, manipulating search queries to display advertisements, browser redirecting to unwanted sites. |
| Occurrence | Installation of Fake extensions, clicking on pop-up ads, freeware downloads from unsafe sites. |
| Severity Level | Medium |
| Damages | Changes of browser preferences without user’s consent, data-tracking, search redirects, ads placed on top of search results. |
| Removal | Remove GameSearchTech browser hijacker and its associated files from Windows using Spyhunter 5 and Combo Cleaner recommended for Mac. |
What is GameSearchTech?
GameSearchTech is an awful program that disguises as a search tool particularly on Chrome browser. However, other browsers may get affected too. It represent being a useful tool that can extend functionality of browser and make browsing fast.
However, if you install this extension, then it will take no time to modify the default search preferences of your browser. Typically, the homepage is set to open portal.gamesearchtech[.]com that allows the web browsing. But the features it shows is just to mislead users, as its main motive is to send sponsored ads and contents via redirecting to multiple unknown sites.
The gamesearchtech[.]com is incapable of generating any search results of its own, so finally redirects to Yahoo custom search to show the results. The results you see on top are mostly sponsored one, so paying a visit to them will eventually help the authors of the program to earn their revenue. However, you will be restricted to visit the sites recommended by GameSearchTech hijacker.
Also, such pages loads plenty of ads that could lead to unsafe sites, fake downloads of other programs and even compromised online privacy.
The most concerning thing about GameSearchTech, is they can read and collect various browsing data that pose risk to online security and privacy.
Thus, we strongly recommend you to remove GameSearchTech and gamesearchtech[.]com as soon as possible, to ensure safe browsing.
How To Remove GameSearchTech Hijacker From Chrome
When the GameSearchTech extension get active on the browser, then you are likely to notice the following symptoms:
- The homepage address is replaced with “GameSearchTech“;
- Searches will automatically redirect to gamesearchtech[.]com.
- You will see GameSearchTech extension active on the browser.
So, you need to revert back these changes. However, it is important to note that if you have accidentally installed this extension clicking on “Install” button on its promotional page. Then, you can simply go and remove extensions.
Oftentimes, these kind of browser hijackers are distributed via drive-by-downloads, freeware installation and clicking on malicious ads. So, in this case, a thorough detection of all malicious entries is important for permanent removal. So, that it won’t come back again. Thus, we recommend using a reliable anti-malware or detection tool to safely detect all the adware/PUA from the system. This guide contains removal instructions for both Windows and Mac user.
Is Your System Infected with GameSearchTech Hijacker?
If your searches redirecting to GameSearchTech Hijacker, then you should scan your system to check for infections.
This website intends to distribute potentially unwanted program. So, we recommend scanning it with reputable anti-malware program.
Please follow the below steps carefully, and if you are not sure any point, then we advise you to take the help of adware removal tool to detect and remove threats.
Step 1: Remove GameSearchTech hijacker from Your Operating System
Remove GameSearchTech and other malicious programs from Windows OS
- On Windows 10, Click on Start button on the taskbar, then select “Settings”.
Windows 10 Applications Settings - Next, click on the “Apps”, and then choose “Apps & Features”, that will display the list of all installed applications on your system.
- Scroll through the list to find unknown applications, adware or other which you don’t wish to have.
- Click on the adware, expand it and then click “Uninstall”;
Windows 10 Uninstall Unknown Application - After that, click on the “Uninstall” button again to confirm it;
Remove GameSearchTech and other malicious programs from Mac OS
- On the Finder window, click Go→ Applications;
Apple Menu - Look through the Application window to find and remove GameSearchTech;
Remove GameSearchTech Application From Mac - To remove GameSearchTech Apps from Mac, right-click on it and choose “Move To Trash”;
- After that, Click on the “Empty Trash” by right-click on the Trash icon on your dock.
Empty Trash - Restart your Mac to make changes into effect.
Remove GameSearchTech LaunchAgents and LaunchDaemons
To Remove GameSearchTech LaunchAgents and LaunchDaemon, follow the steps here:
- Open Finder window and then select: Go → Go to Folder;
Go To Folder Mac - Now, you need find any malicious agents related to Malicious apps like Fake Flash Player Update within the following locations, and delete if find any;
- /Library/LaunchAgents
- /Library/LaunchDaemons
- /System/Library/LaunchAgents
- /System/Library/LaunchDaemons
- ~/Library/LaunchAgents
- Enter the path to the “Go To Folder” and click “Go”;
LaunchAgents Mac - Now, check, if there is any malicious entries related to adware or malware program, then delete them one-by-one.
Remove Malicious Launch Agents and Daemons From Mac
Step2: Remove GameSearchTech Hijacker from Web Browsers
This sections explains step-by-step guide to remove GameSearchTech extension from browsers and resetting homepage and search engine preferences.
Remove GameSearchTech hijacker from Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge and Safari
Google Chrome
Remove GameSearchTech Extension From Google Chrome
- To open Extensions page on Chrome type
chrome://extensions/on your address bar; - Now, check for GameSearchTech extension;
Remove GameSearchTech Extension From chrome - To remove GameSearchTech Extension from Chrome, click on “Remove” beside it.
Remove GameSearchTech browser hijacker and Restore Homepage On Chrome
- On Chrome type
chrome://settings/appearance; - Remove gamesearchtech[.]com from homepage address and type the new one you want.
Remove GameSearchTech Homepage URL From chrome - Next, remove fake search engine, by typing
chrome://settings/search - Under “Manage search engines”;
Remove GameSearchTech Search Engine From chrome - Select gamesearchtech[.]com Search engine, click on the 3-vertical dots and choose on “Remove from list“.
Here is the guide on how to Reset Chrome Browser on Mac and Windows.
Mozilla Firefox
Remove GameSearchTech Fake Extension From Mozilla Firefox
- To open Extension menu, type
about:addonson your Firefox address bar; - Choose “Extensions” from the left menu;
Remove GameSearchTech Extensions From Firefox - To remove GameSearchTech extension from Firefox browser, click on “Remove” beside the extension name.
Remove GameSearchTech Search Engine/browser hijacker and Restore Homepage On Firefox
- To access Homepage Setting on Firefox, type
about:preferences#homeon the address bar; - Under “New Windows and Tabs” field, enter your favorite URL to set as homepage and New tab.
Remove GameSearchTech Homepage From Firefox - To Remove GameSearchTech from Firefox
about:preferences#search, under search shortcuts section, click on the URLs you want to remove; - Next click on the “Remove” button on the bottom.
To completely Reset Mozilla Firefox Browser on Safari and Windows click here.
Microsoft Edge
Remove GameSearchTech Extension From MS Edge
- Click on 3 horizontal dots on the Edge browser, and click on “Extensions”;
- Here, your list of active Extensions will appear, Choose Adware related Extensions or fake one;
- To remove GameSearchTech extensions, or those you don’t wish to have click on the “Remove”;
Remove GameSearchTech Extensions on Microsoft Edge - To confirm removing GameSearchTech click on “Remove” again.
Remove GameSearchTech Extension From Microsoft Edge
- Click on 3 horizontal dots on the Edge browser, and click on “Settings”;
- Next, from left menu, choose “Privacy, search, and services”;
- After that, scroll down to the bottom and click on “Address bar and search”;
Manage Homepage settings on Microsoft Edge - Under “Search engine used in the address bar” section, choose the one you want to set as default;
Set Default Homepage on Microsoft Edge - Next, click on “Manage search engines”. Here you will see list of installed search engine;
- To remove GameSearchTech search engine or browser hijacker from Edge, click on the 3-dots beside it and click on “Remove”.
Remove GameSearchTech Search engine from MS Edge
To completely Reset Microsoft Edge check out How To Reset Microsoft Edge Browser.
Safari
Remove GameSearchTech Extensions From Safari
Fake extension may trigger frequent pop-up ads, homepage redirects and so on. So, it is important to find and remove adware extensions.
- Click on Safari menu →Preferences → go to Extensions Tab;
Safari Preferences - Look for GameSearchTech extensions active on your Safari;
Safari Uninstall GameSearchTech Extension - To remove GameSearchTech extension from Safari, Select it and click on “Uninstall”.
Restore Your Homepage
As, GameSearchTech extension promotes fake search engine, so they set unknown URL as default homepage. So, if you don’t want them, then here is what to do to remove them:
- Click on Safari menu →Preferences → go to General Tab;
- Under the “Homepage” field, remove GameSearchTech URL related to GameSearchTech or malicious apps. And enter address of your choice like “google.com” as click “set as default”.
Remove GameSearchTech Homepage from Safari Mac
This should help fix your issue, but if not, then here is the guide explaining to reset Safari browser.
Step 3: Use Anti-malware to Scan And Remove GameSearchTech Hijacker
This sections explains, automatic steps to remove GameSearchTech and other adware/malware programs active on the system. So, you can remove it safety from your system.
Use SpyHunter to Scan And Remove GameSearchTech From Windows OS
SpyHunter 5 is a powerful and certified malware detection and removal program. The program can identify various kinds of threats like malware, adware, browser hijacker, Potentially unwanted program, rootkits and so on. It provides real-time protection by continuously updating and adapting its detection so as to combat against new threats. This tools is very easy to use and a very friendly user-interface, offering 24/7 customer support.
Follow the below instructions to scan with SpyHunter 5 and remove Adware from Windows OS.
- Click on the download button, to begin install the SpyHunter 5 anti-malware.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation process.
Spyhunter 5 Download - After that, the application will launch on your screen. In most of the cases, it starts the scan process quickly.
Spyhunter 5 Scan Process - The first scan may take up few minutes, and will keep reporting you any malware or threats found on your system.
Spyhunter 5 Scan Continue - After the scan process completes, click on the “Next” to remove the threats.
Remove GameSearchTech using spyhunter 5 - SpyHunter 5 allows free detection of threats. In order to remove them and activate other features, you need to purchase the full- license of the product.
Spyhunter 5 Buy - We recommend you do so, if you want to secure your device from Adware, malware, and PUA. It also helps maintaining online privacy.
Scan Your Mac With Combo Cleaner To Remove GameSearchTech
- Follow the link to Download Combo Cleaner“;
- A .dmg file will download, double-click on it to start installation process;
- Once you see the below window, drag and drop the Combo Cleaner icon to your “Applications folder”;
Combo Cleaner Drag to Application Folder - Click on the “Combo Cleaner” icon from the “Launchpad” on your dock;
Combo Cleaner Installation - Follow the on-screen instruction to finish the setup. The combo cleaner will quickly update its Virus database. After which, Combo cleaner will launch the program;
Combo Cleaner Dashboard - You can either click on “Start Combo Scan” or click on the “Antivirus” tab and choose various scan options. There are 3 scan options: Quick, Full, and custom. (We will recommend to do full scan for first time)
Combo Cleaner Scan - After the scan completes, it will show the threats if found. So, click on “Remove All Threats”;
Combo Cleaner Virus Removal - Next, go to “Uninstaller” Tab to find and remove malicious extensions and other programs from web browsers and Mac. Select unwanted program and also their related files and then click on “Remove Selected Items“
Combo Cleaner App Uninstaller
Best Practices To avoid Being Infected with Redirect Virus
There are various good practices that can prove helpful to cut down redirects to suspicious sites, lessens down pop-up ads on the browsers and enable safe browsing. Some of them are:
- Do Not install third-party Extensions from any redirect links or pop-up ads. Also, check the developer and reviews before installing.
- Users can disable Flash and JavaScript which often injects malicious scripts to silently load on the web pages. As these are often used for drive-by-downloads, click baits and phishing attempts.
- You can block notifications from unknown websites, to stop pop-up ads on the browser.
- Update your browsers, and applications regularly and from official websites or legitimate sources only. So as to ensure they are free of any vulnerabilities.
- Use anti-malware program to regularly scan for any vulnerability, bugs and potentially unwanted programs from the system.
- You can also use legitimate ad-blockers to block pop-up ads on the browsers.
GameSearchTech and similar other redirect sites are meant to drive traffic for unknown sites to earn their profit. So, they may not have the control over the contents they deliver, as randomly shows ads, third-party contents and sponsored links.
So, we hope this article helps you to remove GameSearchTech hijacker from browsers.