Remove GamingWonderland Browser Extension

by Gergana Ivanova | June 19, 2018 | 0 Comments browser extension, Mindspark Interactive, PUP

Threat Summary GamingWonderland – Spread Techniques GamingWonderland – More About Its Impact GamingWonderland – Privacy Policy How to Remove GamingWonderland in Full

This article aims to help you with the removal of GamingWonderland extension from affected browser and system. Follow the detailed guide at the end to get rid of this annoying website in full.

GamingWonderland browser extension is considered to be a potentially unwanted program due to the fact that it appears in your browser without asking for your permission. The nasty program is able to hijack some basic browser settings and replace the homepage, new tab page and default search engine with MyWay Search browser hijacker. In addition a browser toolbar appears below the address bar. Keep reading to understand more about the PUP and its impacts.

Threat Summary

Name	GamingWonderland
Type	Browser Extension, Toolbar, PUP
Short Description	GamingWonderland is a suspicious browser extension that hijacks browser settings in order to add a toolbar and replace the default search engine with MyWay search. After modifications it injects ads in the browser and collects details from the browser.
Symptoms	The homepage, new tab page and default search engine of affected browsers redirect to MyWay Search browser hijacker. Many advertisements flood the browser and make it sluggish.
Distribution Method	Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join Our Forum to Discuss GamingWonderland.

GamingWonderland – Spread Techniques

GamingWonderland is dubious browser extension that sneaks into your system without your knowledge. It usually happens during the installation process of any desired third-party app. We all like to download free apps form across the net and test their features. Unfortunately, many developers take advantage of this well-known fact and trick users into installing some extras along with their app. This method of PUPs’ distribution is called software bundling. What developers do is to incorporate the installation code of potentially undesired programs into the installers of their apps and set the extras to install by default. On top of that they often conceal the presence of these extra apps so that you can miss install them unnoticeably. One way to prevent such side effects is to always look for and select the Advanced or Custom configuration options. Most of the times they present information about existing additional apps and you can opt out their installation or at least have a second chance to decide whether you want the primary app or not.

There are two other channels where GamingWonderland extension could be downloaded. The first one is Chrome web store:

And the second is its official website www.gamingwonderland.com. However, as they require you to download manually the nasty browser extension, they are less likely to be the reason why you see it in your browser.

Frequently used web browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Safari could be affected by GamingWonderland extension.

GamingWonderland – More About Its Impact

Once GamingWonderland accesses to the browser it automatically receives the following permissions:

Read and change all your data on the websites you visit
Replace the page you see when opening a new tab
Manage your downloads
Manage your apps, extensions, and themes

With all these permissions, GamingWonferland is able to replace the homepage, new tab page and default search engine with the infamous MyWay.com browser hijacker. And here is how your browser could look like after GamingWonferland affects it:

The main purpose of GamingWonderland is to obtain certain details from the browser and send them to its servers. All data could be used for aggressive advertising based on your interests. This could be explained by the fact that the owners of this nasty program gain revenue for each realized ad click. So their service is likely to flood your browser with lots of annoying ads. That, in turn, leads to slower browser performance and risk of malware infections. You need to be very careful which of the displayed ads you visit as some of them may land you on compromised web pages that install severe malware infections directly on your PC.

GamingWonderland – Privacy Policy

As found on the official website of the undesired GamingWonderland browser extension and on its privacy policy, it owned by MindSpark. In fact, the company is known for the distribution of numerous nasty apps that harass online users. Just to name a few reported by our team – OnlineMapFinder, Mywebsearch.com, VideoConvert.

The data presented on the Privacy Policy page of GamingWonderland reveal that the service gathers the following details from your affected browser:

Your name
Your address
Email address
Number of your page views
What links you clicked
Telephone number
Username and password
Browser type
Preferred language
Other browser-related data
Keyword query, search query text and search results you clicked on
Adverts clicked and cookie data
Your login times

The following quote from the Privacy Policy is not unusual for Mindspark:

We may receive information from third-parties, including our authorized service providers, IAC affiliates, advertising companies, and ad networks. These third parties may display ads via the MS Services.These companies may use tracking technologies, such as cookies, to collect information about users who view or interact with these advertisements.

All acquired information could be shared with third-party companies which can use it for their advertising and other business purposes. In case you do not want your private space to be invaded by this nasty app, you should remove it completely from the affected system as soon as possible.

How to Remove GamingWonderland in Full

In order to remove GamingWonderland from your PC make sure to complete all the steps listed in the removal that follows. It presents both manual and automatic removal instructions that combined will help you to remove this nasty program in full. The automatic approach guarantees maximum efficiency as after a scan with an advanced anti-malware tool you can see the exact location of all malicious files and objects created by GamingWonderland and remove them from the infected PC. In case that you have further questions or need additional help, don’t hesitate to leave a comment or contact us via email.

Gergana Ivanova

Highly motivated writer with 5+ years of experience writing for ransomware, malware, adware, PUPs, and other cybersecurity-related issues. As a writer, I strive to create content that is based on thorough technical research. I find joy in the process of creating articles that are easy to understand, informative, and useful. Follow me on Twitter (@IRGergana) for the latest in the field of computer, mobile, and online security.

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Guide 1: How to Remove GamingWonderland from Windows.
Guide 2: Get rid of GamingWonderland on Mac OS X.
Guide 3: Remove GamingWonderland in Google Chrome.

Guide 4: Erase GamingWonderland from Mozilla Firefox.
Guide 5: Uninstall GamingWonderland from Microsoft Edge.
Guide 6: Remove GamingWonderland from Safari.
Guide 7: Eliminate GamingWonderland from Internet Explorer.
Guide 8: Disable GamingWonderland Push Notifications in Your Browsers.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

How to Remove GamingWonderland from Windows.

Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove GamingWonderland

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter's malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria

1. Hold Windows key() + R

2. The "Run" Window will appear. In it, type "msconfig" and click OK.

3. Go to the "Boot" tab. There select "Safe Boot" and then click "Apply" and "OK".

Tip: Make sure to reverse those changes by unticking Safe Boot after that, because your system will always boot in Safe Boot from now on.

4. When prompted, click on "Restart" to go into Safe Mode.

5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen.

Step 2: Uninstall GamingWonderland and related software from Windows

Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:

1. Hold the Windows Logo Button and "R" on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear.

2. In the field type in "appwiz.cpl" and press ENTER.

3. This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press "Uninstall"

Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.

Step 3: Clean any registries, created by GamingWonderland on your computer.

The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by GamingWonderland there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:

1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.

2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.

3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.

Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.

IMPORTANT!
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.

Step 4: Scan for GamingWonderland with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.

2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.

3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.

4. After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the 'Next' button.

If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Get rid of GamingWonderland from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall GamingWonderland and remove related files and objects

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your Mac with SpyHunter for Mac

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter for Mac needs to purchased to remove the malware threats. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy

1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:

2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:

3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to GamingWonderland:

Tip: To quit a process completely, choose the “Force Quit” option.

4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.

5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to GamingWonderland. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.

6: Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to GamingWonderland. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.

7: Remove any left-over files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:

Go to Finder.
In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.

In case you cannot remove GamingWonderland via Step 1 above:

In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:

Disclaimer! If you are about to tamper with Library files on Mac, be sure to know the name of the virus file, because if you delete the wrong file, it may cause irreversible damage to your MacOS. Continue on your own responsibility!

1: Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:

2: Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:

3: Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as GamingWonderland. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.

You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:

→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons

Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.

Step 2: Scan for and remove GamingWonderland files from your Mac

When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as GamingWonderland, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.

Click the button below below to download SpyHunter for Mac and scan for GamingWonderland:

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove GamingWonderland from Google Chrome.

Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu

Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"

Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.

Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Erase GamingWonderland from Mozilla Firefox.

Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window

Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.

Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"

Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Uninstall GamingWonderland from Microsoft Edge.

Step 1: Start Edge browser.

Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.

Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".

Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.

Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove GamingWonderland from Safari.

Step 1: Start the Safari app.

Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.

Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".

Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.

Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.

Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.

A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the GamingWonderland will be removed.

How to Reset Safari
IMPORTANT: Before resetting Safari make sure you back up all your saved passwords within the browser in case you forget them.

Start Safari and then click on the gear leaver icon.

Click the Reset Safari button and you will reset the browser.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Eliminate GamingWonderland from Internet Explorer.

Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.

Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'

Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.

Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.

Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.