Remove GalacticaGames(.)com Browser Hijacker Efficiently

Berta Bilbao

Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.

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GalacticaGames(.)com serves as a download page for a browser hijacker. The hijacker redirects you and pops a Yahoo page for search results. All of your search queries will go through the servers of another hijacker – SafeFinder. GalacticaGames(.)com changes a browser’s homepage, new tab, and search engine. A browser extension of a sort could appear as well. Advertisements and targeted content can show from redirects. To remove the hijacker and its files, you should read the whole articlе.

Threat Summary

Name	GalacticaGames(.)com
Type	Browser Hijacker, PUP
Short Description	All browsers on your PC might be affected. The hijacker can redirect you and filter your searches.
Symptoms	The homepage, search engine and new tab, as well as browser extensions are settings that can be changed around your browsers. You could see third party content and advertisements.
Distribution Method	Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by GalacticaGames(.)com Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join Our Forum to Discuss GalacticaGames(.)com.

GalacticaGames(.)com – Spread

The GalacticaGames(.)com platform can use multiple ways to spread. The most common one may be via third-party installations. Programs in a bundled package, along with other freeware, can spread the hijacker onto your computer. Freeware setups can have more components prepared for a default installation. Lots of settings can be modified until you notice changes in your browsers. Preventing unneeded installations can be done if you find a Custom or an Advanced menu in the setup for deselection of the extra components.

GalacticaGames(.)com can use other ways to spread its search engine. One of the ways is shown on the above image – a direct download page for the hijacker on its official site. Another one of those is through adverti on websites, be it banners, pop-ups or additional advertising content. The hijacker might also be injected to your PC with the aid of suspicious websites, hosting redirects. Said websites could be in an affiliated program with GalacticaGames(.)com. The following browsers could be affected: Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari and Mozilla Firefox.

GalacticaGames(.)com – In Depth

GalacticaGames(.)com is the main page of the domain and functions as a direct download page for the browser hijacker in question. Once active, the hijacker will set your search engine, along with the new tab and home page to Home.GalacticaGames(.)com:

The Home.GalacticaGames(.)com web address consists of a search bar, toolbar, and multiple buttons, which are all some redirects or pushing targeted or ad content. That page replaces the browser pages and settings and is what is shown whenever you try doing a search. Browser preferences could be modified, and an extension could be installed.

From there, if you click on anything placed in the toolbar, you will get redirected to the “Play” section of the platform, consisting of many games and ads. That is on the web address http://play.galacticagames(.)com/. You can see a picture of the page below:

If a program related to GalacticaGames(.)com enters your PC, like a browser add-on, for instance, then you will see further modifications made to your browsers. Some of these modifications are the following:

• Read and change all your data on the websites you visit
• Communicate with cooperating websites
• Change your search settings to: search.galacticagames(.)com

The above changes are found in Google’s Chrome Web Store, so that is another temporary way of distribution (Google should remove the extension from their store). You could witness lots of redirects, which could land you on web pages with a low reputation. These pages could be affiliated or even partnered in a way with GalacticaGames(.)com.

In the image above, you can see search results of GalacticaGames(.)com. Obviously, that is Yahoo, because the hijacker redirects you to the search results page of that reputable search engine. It might redirect different users to different search engine sites. The hijacker is probably doing that to try and trick you into trusting it. In actuality your searches go through this redirect:

With the redirect in place, the GalacticaGames(.)com platform collects information about you and all other users which have it, willingly or unwillingly. Your search queries will go through servers of Search.SafeFinder(.)com.

The search engines are associated in a way and possibly their owners are business partners. All of the gathered information from your queries can be disclosed between the sites. You should be careful of what you type in search bars, especially if it is personal. Do not click on buttons found in Search.GalacticaGames(.)com, because the redirects may also gather some information or redirect you. Read further to find out what data can be obtained from you from the hijacker.

GalacticaGames(.)com – Privacy Policy

The Privacy Policy of the GalacticaGames(.)com can be seen on http://www.galacticagames.com/privacy and is not in written form, but just an image. Since the site redirects and goes through the Safe Finder platform, probably they are affiliates and share obtained information. Both policies state that personally and non-personally identifying information is collected and both are very similar in what they say. From reading, we see that SafeFinder also collects the information that GalacticaGames(.)com does, even a bit more.

You can view the Privacy Policy of SafeFinder here:

The policy states that the information collected by the hijacker is:

• Browser (its type and language)
• Operating System (its type and language)
• Your name and address
• Geo location and IP address
• Date and time of access
• Your time zone
• Advertisements viewed
• Offers and services that interest you
• Default search
• VPN and Proxy services
• Internet Service Provider (ISP)
• Interaction with social networks
• Screen Resolution
• Search quires and browsing history
• Pages browsed and content viewed

Using the services of GalacticaGames(.)com or those of Safe Finder, including toolbars or applications connected to them automatically gives your consent for personal information collection. The policy informs that cookies, web beacons, pixel tags and similar technologies can be used in the process of data gathering.

Remove GalacticaGames(.)com Completely from Your PC

To remove GalacticaGames(.)com manually from your computer, follow the step-by-step removal instructions provided below. In case the manual removal does not get rid of the hijacker and all its files completely, you should search for and remove any leftovers with an advanced anti-malware tool. Such software can keep your computer secure in the future.

Note! Your computer system may be affected by GalacticaGames(.)com or other threats.
Scan Your PC with SpyHunter
SpyHunter is a powerful malware removal tool designed to help users with in-depth system security analysis, detection and removal of threats such as GalacticaGames(.)com.
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.

To remove GalacticaGames(.)com follow these steps:

1. Uninstall malicious programs from Windows

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

How to Uninstall malicious programs 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:

Hold the Windows Logo Button and “R” on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear (fig.1).

In the field type in “appwiz.cpl” and press ENTER (fig.2).

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

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

2. Clean your Browser and Registry from GalacticaGames(.)com

Remove GalacticaGames(.)com by cleaning your Browser and Registry.

Remove an extension from Mozilla FirefoxRemove an extension from Google Chrome Remove an extension from Internet Explorer Remove an extension from Microsoft Edge Fix registry entries created by GalacticaGames(.)com on your PC.

Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window

Select the “Add-ons” icon from the menu.

Select the unwanted extension and click “Remove“

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.

Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu

Move the cursor over “Tools” and then from the extended menu choose “Extensions“

From the opened “Extensions” menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its “Remove” button.

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.

Start Internet Explorer:

Click on the gear icon labeled ‘Tools’ to open the drop menu and select ‘Manage Add-ons’

In the ‘Manage Add-ons’ window.

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’.

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.

Start Edge

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

From the drop menu select “Extensions”.

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

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

Some malicious scripts may modify the registry entries on your computer to change different settings. This is why cleaning your Windows Registry Database is recommended. Since the tutorial on how to do this is a bit long and tampering with registries could damage your computer if not done properly you should refer and follow our instructive article about fixing registry entries, especially if you are unexperienced in that area.

Use SpyHunter to scan for malware and unwanted programs

3. Scan for malware and unwanted programs with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

Scan your PC and Remove GalacticaGames(.)com with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data

1. Install SpyHunter to scan for GalacticaGames(.)com and remove them.2. Scan with SpyHunter, Detect and Remove GalacticaGames(.)com. Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.

Step 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.

Step 2: Guide yourself by the download instructions provided for each browser.

Step 3: After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.

Step 1: After the update process has finished, click on the ‘Malware/PC Scan’ tab. A new window will appear. Click on ‘Start Scan’.

Step 2: 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.

Step 3: If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.

Back up your data to secure it against attacks in the future

IMPORTANT! Before reading the Windows backup instructions, we highly recommend to back up your data with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats. We recommend you to read more about it and to download SOS Online Backup .

SOS Online Backup

Berta Bilbao

Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.

More Posts

Berta Bilbao

Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.

More Posts