How to remove AnyGameSearch browser hijacker? — Fix Guide

AnyGameSearch – What is it?

“AnyGameSearch” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is spread as a plugin for your web browser. It is usually promoted as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that aids to browse some specific details, for example, about sport events, make your browser much more secure, enable downloading of any web video, et cetera.

Nevertheless, the “AnyGameSearch” plugin is pretty ineffective since all such functions are already built-in to your web browser and/or Windows. Such marketing mottos are targeted at low-skilled computer users, for example, pensioners or schoolchildren. But sometimes even qualified users are getting caught on such an attraction. In particular scenarios, this hijacker is spread along with free tools.

AnyGameSearch Search Hijacker

How harmful is AnyGameSearch hijacker?

Besides its uselessness, AnyGameSearch hijacker is likewise quite unsafe for browser use. It transforms your search engine to its particular – Anygamesearch.com, and likewise modifies your background, adding its watermark on your wallpaper (or, in some cases, altering it to default with the specified sign).

In addition to viewable adjustments done by AnyGameSearch hijacker, you might observe that a number of your search queries are redirecting to the uncertain websites, filled with links and promotions – so-called doorway websites. Such websites can include links for malware downloads. The chance of redirecting rises if you try to launch Google search page by force.

But all these activities are more annoying than really harmful. The greatest threat, especially for individuals who have a huge amount of confidential information in their web browsers, is installed in information collecting functions. Cookie files, chats, often-visited sites, as well as various other activities are easily collected by AnyGameSearch hijacker.

How to remove AnyGameSearch search hijacker?

• Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
• Open GridinSoft Anti-Malware and perform a “Standard scan“.
• “Move to quarantine” all items.
• Open “Tools” tab – Press “Reset Browser Settings“.
• Select proper browser and options – Click “Reset”.
• Restart your computer.

Browser hijackers are often quite simple to remove. For the most part, they have an independent application that can be located in the list of installed programs. Due to the particular marketing method of AnyGameSearch hijacker, it can be quickly tracked and deleted manually. Nonetheless, if you got AnyGameSearch in the bundle with a free applications, your system can be infected with far more dangerous malware – trojans, spyware or perhaps ransomware. That’s why I’d suggest you use anti-malware programs to remove the AnyGameSearch PUA and all other malware.

You can make use of Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of finding and clearing away different malware, including mentioned hijacker. However, major malware, that might exist on your PC in the specified situation, can disable the Windows antimalware program by modifying the Group Policies. To stay clear of such situations, it is far better to use GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

To detect and eliminate all unwanted programs on your desktop with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, it’s better to utilize Standard or Full scan. Quick Scan is not able to find all the malicious programs, because it scans only the most popular registry entries and directories.

You can spectate the detected malicious apps sorted by their possible harm during the scan process. But to perform any actions against malicious apps, you need to hold on until the scan is over, or to stop the scan.

To choose the action for every detected malicious or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected virus. By default, all malware will be removed to quarantine.

Reverting browser settings to original ones

To reset your browser settings, you are required to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action is not able to be intercepted by any malware, hence, you will surely see the result. This action can be located in the Tools tab.

After pressing the Reset Browser Settings button, the menu will be shown, where you can choose, which settings will be reverted to the original.

Deleteing AnyGameSearch hijacker manually

Besides using anti-malware software for browser restoration, you may choose the “Reset browser settings” function, which is usually embedded in all popular browsers.

1. Open “Settings and more” tab in upper right corner, then find here “Settings” button. In the appeared menu, choose “Reset settings” option :
2. After picking the Reset Settings option, you will see the following menu, stating about the settings which will be reverted to original :

1. Open Menu tab (three strips in upper right corner) and click the “Help” button. In the appeared menu choose “troubleshooting information” :
2. In the next screen, find the “Refresh Firefox” option :

After choosing this option, you will see the next message :

1. Open Settings tab, find the “Advanced” button. In the extended tab choose the “Reset and clean up” button :
2. In the appeared list, click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” :
3. Finally, you will see the window, where you can see all the settings which will be reset to default :
   

1. Open Settings menu by pressing the gear icon in the toolbar (left side of the browser window), then click “Advanced” option, and choose “Browser” button in the drop-down list. Scroll down, to the bottom of the settings menu. Find there “Restore settings to their original defaults” option :
2. After clicking the “Restore settings…” button, you will see the window, where all settings, which will be reset, are shown :

As an afterword, I want to say that time plays against you and your PC. The activity of browser hijacker must be stopped as soon as possible, because of the possibility of other malware injection. This malware can be downloaded autonomously, or offered for you to download in one of the windows with advertisements, which are shown to you by the hijacker. You need to act as fast as you can.

References

1. More information about PUAs
2. Detailed review of Microsoft Defender