How to Remove GamesNet Search Hijacker

Can’t Remove GamesNet Search hijacker virus? This page includes detailed GamesNet Search Removal instructions!

GamesNet Search has been classified as a browser hijacker. This pest has no problems lying to your face while making unauthorized changes. You’re about to see for yourself how problematic hijackers are. Even though there are more destructive types of malware out there, no parasite is to be underestimated. Tackle this parasite as soon as you encounter its unwanted presence on board. A hijacker has nothing beneficial to offer. And GamesNet Search is a classic member of its family. The virus makes modifications in your default browser settings. It replaces your search engine as well as homepage with its own domain. Thus, you are effectively stuck with the parasite. There is no more surfing the Web without being harassed by the hijacker. GamesNet Search is quite an irritating, obnoxious virus. Instead of improving your online experience, the hijacker demolishes it. You currently receive one specific category of search results – sponsored results. That means you have to stay away from anything generated by the parasite. The reason why GamesNet Search takes over your browsers has nothing to do with your browsing activities. It does have a lot to do with hackers’ illegitimate revenue that they make online. Crooks use the pay-per-click mechanism to gain profit. Unfortunately, you get involved in their nasty monetizing schemes. Every time you click any of the web links provided by the hijacker open, crooks make money. In addition to that, you should know sponsored web links are highly questionable. Some of them may lead you to perfectly safe websites. Others will lead you straight to malware, though. There is no guarantee you won’t accidentally download more infections. Is that really what you’re aiming for? Are you trying to compromise your safety further? If the answer to these questions is no, you have to take action. Get rid of the hijacker. In the meanwhile, make sure you avoid all web links displayed by this nuisance. If you click the wrong link open, you could easily worsen your cyber situation. GamesNet Search also installs a browser extension behind your back. It might start generating sponsored commercials as well. As you can see, hijackers do manage to get on the victim’s nerves. Every single web link or advertisement generated by an infection could pose a threat to your safety. To prevent serious damage, uninstall this program ASAP.

How did I get infected with?

Did you agree to download this parasite? Having in mind how sneaky infections are, this is one rare scenario. Most viruses rely on your distraction online and get installed in silence. It goes without saying how dangerous such a stealthy installation is. Not only does your PC end up infected but you also remain oblivious to that. Hijackers aren’t even the most vicious type of malware out there. Bear in mind the Web is filled with harmful Trojans horses and aggressive ransomware. One notoriously popular infiltration method is called freeware or shareware bundling. It is very likely the GamesNet Search virus used this method too. Have you recently downloaded some program bundle? Next time you do, take your time in the process. Opt for the Custom or Advanced option in the Setup Wizard. This will provide you all the information you need about the exact programs that are part of the bundle. Instead of rushing the installation process, pay attention. It is your job to spot and deselect a potential “bonus” parasite. Remember that reading the Terms and Conditions is also recommended. Even though it is no fun activity, you will protect your security that way. Another commonly used distribution tactic involves spam emails. Avoid opening random email-attachments or messages and watch out for malware.

Why is this dangerous?

The GamesNet Search parasite doesn’t waste time. Immediately after its installation is complete, this nuisance starts making changes. As mentioned already, your browser settings get modified. Hijackers neither need nor try to get your permission. Instead, they add certain extensions or toolbars behind your back. Consider all your favorite browsers no longer reliable. They redirect you to unknown websites. They begin to crash or freeze on occasions. They might even generate some sponsored, immensely unsafe pop-up ads. To regain control over your hijacked browsing experience, remove the hijacker. The sooner, the better. GamesNet Search is not your dream search engine. It is nothing but a worrisome cyber infection that is flooding your PC screen with sponsored web links. As is that wasn’t enough, the hijacker steals your browsing history as well as other details. To delete it manually, please follow our detailed removal guide down below.

How to Remove GamesNet Search virus

The GamesNet Search infection is specifically designed to make money to its creators one way or another. The specialists from various antivirus companies like Bitdefender, Kaspersky, Norton, Avast, ESET, etc. advise that there is no harmless virus.

If you perform exactly the steps below you should be able to remove the GamesNet Search infection. Please, follow the procedures in the exact order. Please, consider to print this guide or have another computer at your disposal. You will NOT need any USB sticks or CDs.

WARNING! Stopping the wrong file or deleting the wrong registry key may damage your system irreversibly.
If you are feeling not technical enough just use Spyhunter Professional Malware Removal Tool to deal with the problem!
>>Download SpyHunter – a Professional Remover.

Please, keep in mind that SpyHunter’s scanner tool is free. To remove the GamesNet Search infection, you need to purchase its full version.

STEP 1: Track down GamesNet Search related processes in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate GamesNet Search startup location

STEP 3: Delete GamesNet Search traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

STEP 1: Track down GamesNet Search related processes in the computer memory

• Open your Task Manager by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ESC keys simultaneously
• Carefully review all processes and stop the suspicious ones.

• Write down the file location for later reference.

Step 2: Locate GamesNet Search startup location

Reveal Hidden Files

• Open any folder
• Click on “Organize” button
  
• Choose “Folder and Search Options”
• Select the “View” tab
• Select “Show hidden files and folders” option
• Uncheck “Hide protected operating system files”
• Click “Apply” and “OK” button

Clean GamesNet Search virus from the windows registry

• Once the operating system loads press simultaneously the Windows Logo Button and the R key.

• A dialog box should open. Type “Regedit”

• WARNING! be very careful when editing the Microsoft Windows Registry as this may render the system broken.

Depending on your OS (x86 or x64) navigate to:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]

• and delete the display Name: [RANDOM]

• Then open your explorer and navigate to: %appdata% folder and delete the malicious executable.

Clean your HOSTS file to avoid unwanted browser redirection

Navigate to %windir%/system32/Drivers/etc/host

If you are hacked, there will be foreign IPs addresses connected to you at the bottom. Take a look below:

STEP 3 : Clean GamesNet Search traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

• Open Google Chrome

• In the Main Menu, select Tools then Extensions
• Remove the GamesNet Search by clicking on the little recycle bin
• Reset Google Chrome by Deleting the current user to make sure nothing is left behind

• Open Mozilla Firefox

• Press simultaneously Ctrl+Shift+A
• Disable the unwanted Extension
• Go to Help
• Then Troubleshoot information
• Click on Reset Firefox

• Open Internet Explorer

• On the Upper Right Corner Click on the Gear Icon
• Click on Internet options
• go to Toolbars and Extensions and disable the unknown extensions
• Select the Advanced tab and click on Reset

• Restart Internet Explorer

Step 4: Undo the damage done by GamesNet Search

This particular Virus may alter your DNS settings.

Attention! this can break your internet connection. Before you change your DNS settings to use Google Public DNS for GamesNet Search, be sure to write down the current server addresses on a piece of paper.

To fix the damage done by the virus you need to do the following.

• Click the Windows Start button to open the Start Menu, type control panel in the search box and select Control Panel in the results displayed above.
• go to Network and Internet
• then Network and Sharing Center
• then Change Adapter Settings
• Right-click on your active internet connection and click properties. Under the Networking tab, find Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). Left click on it and then click on properties. Both options should be automatic! By default it should be set to “Obtain an IP address automatically” and the second one to “Obtain DNS server address automatically!” If they are not just change them, however if you are part of a domain network you should contact your Domain Administrator to set these settings, otherwise the internet connection will break!!!

You must clean all your browser shortcuts as well. To do that you need to

• Right click on the shortcut of your favorite browser and then select properties.

• in the target field remove GamesNet Search argument and then apply the changes.
• Repeat that with the shortcuts of your other browsers.
• Check your scheduled tasks to make sure the virus will not download itself again.

How to Permanently Remove GamesNet Search Virus (automatic) Removal Guide

Please, have in mind that once you are infected with a single virus, it compromises your whole system or network and let all doors wide open for many other infections. To make sure manual removal is successful, we recommend to use a free scanner of any professional antimalware program to identify possible registry leftovers or temporary files.