How to Remove SearchGamez Browser Hijacker

by Gergana Ivanova | July 17, 2020 | 0 Comments browser hijacker, PUP, removal guide

SearchGamez Browser Hijacker SearchGamez Hijacker Summary How to Remove SearchGamez Browser Hijacker

If you are wondering why SearchGamez is your new browser and how to remove it, you should read this removal guide and follow all steps presented in it.

SearchGamez Browser Hijacker

SearchGamez is a questionable search engine that is pushed by potentially unwanted programs like browser hijackers and browser add-ons. A typical browser hijacker affects popular web browsers without users’ permission. Such type of programs invades computer systems via shady spread methods. That’s why affected users often think that their PCs are infected with computer viruses. The installation of a browser hijacker on a computer system (Mac, Windows) leads to noticeable changes in installed browsers’ settings. As a result, the browser may be forced to load lots of annoying ads and be configured to display a hoax search engine.

Be careful with all ads that appear in your affected browser. Visiting some of the sponsored websites hides the risk of an unnoticed infection with additional adware or even malware. For the sake of your online security and the security of your PC, it’s best to consider the complete removal of SearchGamez hijacker.

SearchGamez Hijacker Summary

Name	SearchGamez / search-gamez.com
Type	Browser Hijacker, PUP
Short Description	A website with questionable search enigne that hijacks browser homepage, new tab page and default search engine. All modifications happen without your knowledge.
Symptoms	The homepage, new tab page and search enigne in preferred web browser are set to display the hoax search engine search-gamez.com
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 SearchGamez Hijacker.

SearchGamez Search Engine – How Did It Appear? Is It Safe?

The website search-gamez.com seems to be a reliable search engine. However, it is associated with a potentially unwanted program – a browser hijacker. As a typical hijacker, SearchGamez replaces the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page. Even though it may pretend to be a legitimate one, it is yet another bogus search engine that aims to generate sponsored results, spy on online users’ browsing behavior, and track clicks on links.

Potentially unwanted programs like the one associated with SearchGamez hijacker are designed to apply changes without users’ permission and knowledge. The spread of such apps is usually realized via software bundles, corrupted websites, and fake software update notifications.

Once the SearchGamez hijacker’s files are started on the system it becomes able to activate specific tracking technologies so that it can start spying on certain details that define your online interests. By using the collected data, the hijacker’s owners launch targeted advertising campaigns and flood the affected browser with lots of annoying ads. Beware with dubious ads. For the sake of your online security refrain from visiting websites promoted by SearchGamez and remove the hijacker from the affected system as soon as possible.

How to Remove SearchGamez Browser Hijacker

In order to remove SearchGamez hoax search engine along with all associated files that enable its appearance in the browser, you should complete several removal steps. The browser hijacker removal guide below you will show you all steps that are needed for the complete removal of the annoying SearchGamez hijacker. Follow them sequentially as they should be fulfilled in the presented order. If you don’t feel comfortable with the manual steps then you could navigate to the download process of an advanced anti-malware tool that will enable you to remove all harmful files with a few clicks.

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

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 SearchGamez Hijacker from Windows.
Guide 2: Get rid of SearchGamez Hijacker on Mac OS X.
Guide 3: Remove SearchGamez Hijacker in Google Chrome.

Guide 4: Erase SearchGamez Hijacker from Mozilla Firefox.
Guide 5: Uninstall SearchGamez Hijacker from Microsoft Edge.
Guide 6: Remove SearchGamez Hijacker from Safari.
Guide 7: Eliminate SearchGamez Hijacker from Internet Explorer.
Guide 8: Disable SearchGamez Hijacker 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 SearchGamez Hijacker from Windows.

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

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 SearchGamez Hijacker 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 SearchGamez Hijacker 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 SearchGamez Hijacker 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 SearchGamez Hijacker 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 SearchGamez Hijacker from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall SearchGamez Hijacker 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 SearchGamez Hijacker:

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 SearchGamez Hijacker. 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 SearchGamez Hijacker. 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 SearchGamez Hijacker 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 SearchGamez Hijacker. 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 SearchGamez Hijacker files from your Mac

When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as SearchGamez Hijacker, 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 SearchGamez Hijacker:

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

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

Remove SearchGamez Hijacker 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 SearchGamez Hijacker 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 SearchGamez Hijacker 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 SearchGamez Hijacker 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 SearchGamez Hijacker 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 SearchGamez Hijacker 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.