This article aims to give insight on mixGames Search and its impacts. At the end it also presents removal steps that will help you to get rid of all suspicious and potentially harmful files.
MixGames Search is a browser extension for Chrome. It could sneak into your device without your knowledge. Once the extension gains access to your system it configures main browser settings in order to become able to force you using its deceptive services. As promoted by its owners mixGames enables you to search the web for free unlimited games. However, it is often considered to be an undesired app due to its intrusive behavior.
Threat Summary
| Name | mixGames Search |
| Type | Browser extension, PUP |
| Short Description | A questionable browser extension that alters browser settings without your permission. |
| Symptoms | Dubious search engine replaces your default one. Lots of annoying pop-ups and other types of ads appear in the browser. Affected web browser becomes 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 mixGames Search. |
mixGames Search – Spread Techniques
As a typical undesired program mixGames Search usually aims to sneak into target systems without notifying the owners of there systems. So it is often spread via shady techniques like malvertising, installers of free third-party apps, file sharing networks, and other.
It is most likely that you have unnoticeably installed it along with any desired program. There are many free third-party applications that seem useful but at the same time deliver undesired programs on your device. As a way to protect your system from being affected by nasty undesired programs like mixGames, you should always select the Advanced/Custom configuration option when installing new apps.
An additional channel that offers this PUP is its official website. As found on Chrome Web Store its domain address is mixplugin.com. Currently the website has the following look:
mixGames Search – More About Its Impact
mixGames Search is classified as a potentially undesired program due to its capabilities of modifying main browser settings without asking for permission. Once it is installed in the browser mixGames search can perform the following actions:
- Read and change all your data on the websites you visit
- Change your search settings to: games.searchalgo.com
By acquiring these permissions, the undesired program replaces your default search engine without your knowledge. As a result, when you open the affected browser you see the main page of a dubious search engine called
searchalgo.com.
And since searchalgo.com has been classified as a browser hijacker, it appears that not one but two undesired programs are running on your device. Unfortunately, both programs are likely to cause additional issues by flooding your browser with numerous bogus advertisements. This impact could lead to significant browser slowdowns, freezes and even crashes.
In addition to all pop-ups, pop-unders, banners, images, in-text links and other ads that load during browsing sessions, unexpected redirects could open download pages of other dubious programs associated with mixGames search and its owners.
Issues related to your privacy are possible as well. According to the information presented on mixGames Search‘s privacy policy page the program is also configured to collect certain details from affected systems and keeps a record of them on its servers. With the help of various tracking technologies it obtains all of the following details:
- IP addresses
- Browser type
- Internet service provider
- Referring/exit pages
- Operating system
- Date/time stamp
- Clickstream data
- Information collected by cookies, web beacons, scripts, etc.
As well as your name, e-mail address and phone number when you submit them.
Data records could be disclosed to unidentified third-party vendors, service providers, agencies and affiliate partners. At worst they could be acquired by malicious intenders who could make you a target of their attack campaigns.
How to Remove mixGames Search PUP
In order to remove mixGames Search along with all associated files that enable its appearance in the browser, you should complete several removal steps. In the guide below you will find all removal steps in their precise order. You could choose between manual and automatic removal approaches. In order to fully get rid of this particular undesired program and strengthen the security of your device we recommend you to combine the steps. Have in mind that installed files associated with this hijacker may be detected with names different than mixGames Search.
In case you have further questions or need additional help with the removal process, don’t hesitate to leave a comment or contact us at our email.
Gergana Ivanova
Gergana has a bachelor's degree in Marketing. She has been with the STF team for five years, researching malware, reporting on the latest computer infections, and following digital marketing trends.
Follow Me:
- Guide 1: How to Remove mixGames Search from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of mixGames Search from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove mixGames Search from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase mixGames Search from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall mixGames Search from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove mixGames Search from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate mixGames Search from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove mixGames Search from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove mixGames Search
Step 2: Uninstall mixGames Search 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:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.Step 3: Clean any registries, created by mixGames Search 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 mixGames Search there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
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.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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Get rid of mixGames Search from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall mixGames Search and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- 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 mixGames Search 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:
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 malware from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts, programs and malware, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. Combo Cleaner offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove mixGames Search 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
Erase mixGames Search 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
Uninstall mixGames Search 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
Remove mixGames Search 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 mixGames Search will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate mixGames Search 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.
