Uninstalling GamingApp Search Extension (Browser Hijacker/PUP)

What is GamingApp Search Extension? And how does it function?

GamingApp Search Extension is a promoted as a program that supposedly helps users “easily search the web for FREE unlimited games”. This program is from Superappbox.com which is published in the Chrome Web Store. Many users were lead to believe that this extension provides a customized a search service which is created to find free games online faster than the engines allows but contrary to what these users believed, this program does not really have this capability. In fact, it is even categorized as a browser hijacker and PUP that redirects its users to play.eanswers.com and Yahoo.
Once it is installed, GamingApp Search Extension will configure not just the default search engine of your browser but also its default home page. In addition, this dubious extension is also configured to track your online activities so it can record your information such as your IP address, OS version, search queries, websites you often visit, and a whole lot more. This clearly shows that GamingApp Search Extension can’t be trusted as it poses a threat to your privacy. Aside from recording your information, this extension also displays notifications with marketing materials and help its affiliated website, Eanswers.com earn their revenue by displaying Yahoo ads.
According to security researchers, GamingApp Search Extension may be a renamed or new version of the ArcadeApp Search extension which is also served as a basis for the GamesFriendly Search app by Friendlyappz.com and even the gamesNet Search app by medianetnow.com. All of these aforementioned extensions are deemed as both a PUP and a browser hijacker. This only shows that same feathers indeed flock together.
Moreover, the GamingApp Search Extension might also show notifications with recommendations to install riskware and trialware – these kinds of programs are suspicious ones and ones you should not install.
How is GamingApp Search Extension disseminated on the web?
GamingApp Search Extension is disseminated in the Chrome Web Store. But even if that’s the case, it doesn’t necessarily mean that this program is safe and can be trusted. It turns out that this extension is also distributed via software bundles – a distribution method commonly used by browser hijackers and other unwanted programs. This only goes to show that GamingApp Search Extension is unsafe and you must remove it from your PC before it can do any harm.
To uninstall GamingApp Search Extension from your PC successfully, follow each one of the steps below.
Step 1: Launch the Google Chrome browser and click the wrench icon. Afterwards, click on Tools from the drop-down menu and select Extensions.

Step 2: Under the Extensions tab, select GamingApp Search Extension extension and other suspicious browser extensions related to it and then click on the Trash icon.

Step 3: Click on Remove button from the confirmation dialogue box.

Step 4: Reset Google Chrome. To do that, click the three stripes icon located at the upper-right corner of your screen. And then select Settings.

Step 5: under Settings, look for Show advanced settings at the bottom of the page and click on it.

Step 6: Then click on the Reset browser settings button.

Step 7: After that, a dialog box pops up, click the Reset button to Reset Chrome.

Step 8: After you reset Chrome, enable the Phishing and Malware Protection in Chrome to prevent browser hijackers like GamingApp Search Extension extension from infecting your computer again in the future. To do that, click Settings once again.

Step 9: Select the Show advanced settings again.

Step 10: Go to the Privacy section and check the Enable phishing and malware protection option.

Step 11: Restart Chrome and tap the Win + R keys to open Run and then type in appwiz.cpl to open Control Panel to uninstall any suspicious program related to the browser hijacker.
Step 12: Look for GamingApp Search Extension under the list of installed programs. Once you’ve found it, uninstall it.

Step 13: Close the Control Panel.
Step 14: Tap the Win + E keys to open File Explorer. Navigate to the following directories and look for the hijacker’s installer like the software bundle it came with as well as other suspicious files and delete them.

%USERPROFILE%\Downloads
%USERPROFILE%\Desktop
%TEMP%

Step 15: Close the File Explorer and empty your Recycle Bin.
Follow the advanced steps below to completely get rid of GamingApp Search Extension and any files it may have created in your computer upon its installation.
Perform a full system scan using SpyRemover Pro. To do so, follow these steps:

Turn on your computer. If it’s already on, you have to reboot
After that, the BIOS screen will be displayed, but if Windows pops up instead, reboot your computer and try again. Once you’re on the BIOS screen, repeat pressing F8, by doing so the Advanced Option shows up.

To navigate the Advanced Optionuse the arrow keys and select Safe Mode with Networking then hit
Windows will now load the SafeMode with Networking.
Press and hold both R key and Windows key.

If done correctly, the Windows Run Box will show up.
Type in explorer http://www.fixmypcfree.com/install/spyremoverpro

A single space must be in between explorer and http. Click OK.

A dialogue box will be displayed by Internet Explorer. Click Run to begin downloading the program. The installation will start automatically once a download is done.