GameSearchTab browser hijacker is a piece of rogue software being promoted as a legitimate search provider by cybercrime masterminds. This piece of software is classified as a browser hijacker infection that manipulates users’ default web browser settings to generate illegal revenue via a pay-per-click advertising scheme. It is also called a potentially unwanted application (PUA) due to the fact that it gets inside the targeted computer without the owner’s knowledge or permission.
This may not look like a member of the browser hijacker family at first glance but it can cause some serious problems on infected PC. Keep reading this article to know what GameSearchTab browser hijacker is, what it tries to do, and how you can completely remove it from your compromised system.
GameSearchTab Browser Hijacker: Everything You Need to Know
According to cybersecurity professionals, this is a potentially unwanted application (PUA) belonging to the group of browser hijackers. Once inside the targeted system, this browser hijacker infection makes various unwanted modifications to settings of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Safari, and other web browsers to promote the address of a fake search engine (gamesearchtab.com).
Now whenever you will try to open your internet browser to surf the web, the gamesearchtab.com illegitimate web searcher will appear as the default homepage and generate irrelevant and sponsored search results. These altered search results are generally used to trick users into visiting affiliated and advertisement-related web pages. This activity helps the developers of GameSearchTab browser hijacker to earn revenue from affiliate marketing.
The developers behind this hijacker or redirect virus can also track users’ online activities and steal various data or details such as browsing history, social or banking credentials, IP addresses, and other sensitive information.
Common Symptoms
If your web browser has been hijacked, then you may encounter some of the below-mentioned symptoms on your system.
- Default search engine, homepage, new tab settings are manipulated without your permission.
- Search queries typed into the URL bar are getting redirected through gamesearchtab.com fake search engine.
- Facing constant redirections to affiliated or advertisements-related websites.
- Web pages are taking a long time to load.
How to Remove GameSearchTab Browser Hijacker from your computer?Most of the users, especially novices may find it extremely difficult to remove notorious infections like GameSearchTab browser hijacker through manual means. Hence, it is advised to use automatic anti-malware tools to safely detect and remove all hidden malware threats like browser hijackers, ransomware, spyware, and many others.
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