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Removal instructions for GameSearch

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#1
Metallica

Metallica

    Spyware Veteran

  • GeekU Moderator
  • 33,101 posts
Content is republished with permission from Malwarebytes.

What is GameSearch?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that GameSearch is a search hijacker. These so-called "hijackers" manipulate your browser(s), for example to change your startpage or searchscopes, so that the affected browser visits their site or one of their choice.

How do I know if my computer is affected by GameSearch?

You may see this entry in your list of installed Chrome extensions:

main.png

this icon in the Chrome menu-bar:

icons.png

this changed setting:

warning5.png

You may have noticed these warnings during install:

warning0.png

warning1.png

warning2.png

warning3.png

How did GameSearch get on my computer?

Browser hijackers use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was downloaded from the webstore:

webstore.png

after a redirect from their website:

website.png

How do I remove GameSearch?

Our program Malwarebytes can detect and remove this potentially unwanted program.
  • Please download Malwarebytes for Windows to your desktop.
  • Double-click MBSetup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
  • When your Malwarebytes for Windows installation completes, the program opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen.
  • Click on the Get started button.
  • Click Scan to start a Threat Scan.
  • When the scan is finished click Quarantine to remove the found threats.
  • Reboot the system if prompted to complete the removal process.
Is there anything else I need to do to get rid of GameSearch?
  • No, Malwarebytes removes GameSearch completely.
How would the full version of Malwarebytes help protect me?

We hope our application and this guide have helped you eradicate this hijacker.

As you can see below Malwarebytes Browser Guard, and the full version of Malwarebytes would have protected you against the GameSearch hijacker. It would have blocked their website, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.

protection1.png


Technical details for experts

Possible signs in FRST logs:

CHR DefaultSearchURL: Default -> hxxps://gamsrch.com/?q={searchTerms}
CHR DefaultSearchKeyword: Default -> gam
CHR DefaultSuggestURL: Default -> hxxps://srch.bar/?s={searchTerms}
CHR Extension: (GameSearch) - C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lmdaidmkcfedlklheenfhiddbpibkapg [2020-05-27]
Alterations made by the installer:

File system details [View: All details] (Selection)
---------------------------------------------------
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lmdaidmkcfedlklheenfhiddbpibkapg\11.0.0.59_0
       Adds the file background.html"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 145 bytes, A
       Adds the file backgroundTab"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 9438 bytes, A
       Adds the file e_.json"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 114 bytes, A
       Adds the file extension"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 114 bytes, A
       Adds the file index.html"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 548 bytes, A
       Adds the file Initial_config"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 32 bytes, A
       Adds the file manifest.json"="5/27/2020 10:24 AM, 2135 bytes, A
       Adds the file responseConfig.json"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 48651 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lmdaidmkcfedlklheenfhiddbpibkapg\11.0.0.59_0\_locales
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lmdaidmkcfedlklheenfhiddbpibkapg\11.0.0.59_0\_metadata
       Adds the file computed_hashes.json"="5/27/2020 10:24 AM, 49993 bytes, A
       Adds the file verified_contents.json"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 16436 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lmdaidmkcfedlklheenfhiddbpibkapg\11.0.0.59_0\addons\gms
       Adds the file comp.min.js"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 7730 bytes, A
       Adds the file const.min.js"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 1335 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lmdaidmkcfedlklheenfhiddbpibkapg\11.0.0.59_0\content
       Adds the file bundle.v0.0.1.min.css"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 5092 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lmdaidmkcfedlklheenfhiddbpibkapg\11.0.0.59_0\content\fonts
       Adds the file HelveticaNeueLT-Roman.woff"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 16320 bytes, A
       Adds the file HelveticaNeue-Thin.otf"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 24888 bytes, A
       Adds the file neue.woff"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 14492 bytes, A
       Adds the file neue-bold.woff"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 48112 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lmdaidmkcfedlklheenfhiddbpibkapg\11.0.0.59_0\content\images
       Adds the file angle-arrow-down.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 897 bytes, A
       Adds the file bing.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 1815 bytes, A
       Adds the file bing_large.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 8153 bytes, A
       Adds the file bluesky-bg.jpg"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 107893 bytes, A
       Adds the file blue-triangle.svg"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 153 bytes, A
       Adds the file brush.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 673 bytes, A
       Adds the file bt.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 2424 bytes, A
       Adds the file clock.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 587 bytes, A
       Adds the file cloud.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 575 bytes, A
       Adds the file cupcake-bg.jpg"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 233021 bytes, A
       Adds the file desk-bg.jpg"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 187119 bytes, A
       Adds the file doodle.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 4704 bytes, A
       Adds the file down.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 199 bytes, A
       Adds the file eyeglass.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 499 bytes, A
       Adds the file eyeglass_transparent.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 7421 bytes, A
       Adds the file gmail-circle.svg"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 7282 bytes, A
       Adds the file google.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 1670 bytes, A
       Adds the file google_large.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 11759 bytes, A
       Adds the file grid-world.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 1508 bytes, A
       Adds the file group.svg"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 268 bytes, A
       Adds the file hero-bg.jpg"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 89726 bytes, A
       Adds the file just-the-box.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 3677 bytes, A
       Adds the file just-the-box-empty.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 2077 bytes, A
       Adds the file magnifier.svg"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 501 bytes, A
       Adds the file mail-black-envelope-symbol.svg"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 538 bytes, A
       Adds the file mailru.svg"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 8467 bytes, A
       Adds the file mountain-bg.jpg"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 202970 bytes, A
       Adds the file outlook-circle.svg"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 1585 bytes, A
       Adds the file pointer2.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 5559 bytes, A
       Adds the file radio-selected.svg"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 504 bytes, A
       Adds the file radio-unselected.svg"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 832 bytes, A
       Adds the file sea-bg.jpg"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 116122 bytes, A
       Adds the file search-D7D7D7.svg"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 438 bytes, A
       Adds the file search-FFFFFF.svg"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 404 bytes, A
       Adds the file settings.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 3493 bytes, A
       Adds the file smallMagnifier.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 464 bytes, A
       Adds the file star.svg"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 666 bytes, A
       Adds the file star-unselected.svg"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 786 bytes, A
       Adds the file toggle-off.svg"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 784 bytes, A
       Adds the file toggle-on.svg"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 785 bytes, A
       Adds the file translate.svg"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 562 bytes, A
       Adds the file transparent_img.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 142 bytes, A
       Adds the file triangle.svg"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 153 bytes, A
       Adds the file yahoo.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 1717 bytes, A
       Adds the file yahoo.svg"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 15560 bytes, A
       Adds the file yahoo_large.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 25029 bytes, A
       Adds the file yahoo-circle.svg"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 1493 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lmdaidmkcfedlklheenfhiddbpibkapg\11.0.0.59_0\content\images\icons
       Adds the file 128.png"="5/27/2020 10:24 AM, 3171 bytes, A
       Adds the file 16.png"="5/27/2020 10:24 AM, 461 bytes, A
       Adds the file 48.png"="5/27/2020 10:24 AM, 1258 bytes, A
       Adds the file close.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 1937 bytes, A
       Adds the file favicon.ico"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 101055 bytes, A
       Adds the file trends.svg"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 1975 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lmdaidmkcfedlklheenfhiddbpibkapg\11.0.0.59_0\content\images\sitesThumbnails
       Adds the file aliexpress.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 1460 bytes, A
       Adds the file aliexpress_tile_v2.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 5780 bytes, A
       Adds the file amazon.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 26342 bytes, A
       Adds the file amazon_tile_v2.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 5574 bytes, A
       Adds the file booking.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 973 bytes, A
       Adds the file booking_tile_v2.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 4261 bytes, A
       Adds the file ebay.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 1188 bytes, A
       Adds the file ebay_tile_v2.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 5930 bytes, A
       Adds the file expedia.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 914 bytes, A
       Adds the file expedia_tile_v2.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 8875 bytes, A
       Adds the file facebook.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 23517 bytes, A
       Adds the file facebook_tile_v2.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 4013 bytes, A
       Adds the file gmail.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 26970 bytes, A
       Adds the file gmail_new.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 805 bytes, A
       Adds the file gmail_tile_v2.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 5430 bytes, A
       Adds the file google-translate-icon-FFFFFF.svg"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 1495 bytes, A
       Adds the file gtranslte.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 796 bytes, A
       Adds the file outlook-mail.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 628 bytes, A
       Adds the file pinterest.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 1285 bytes, A
       Adds the file pinterest_tile_v2.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 4957 bytes, A
       Adds the file twitter.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 30240 bytes, A
       Adds the file twitter_tile_v2.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 3979 bytes, A
       Adds the file wix.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 905 bytes, A
       Adds the file wix_tile_v2.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 5615 bytes, A
       Adds the file yahoo.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 29810 bytes, A
       Adds the file yahoo_tile_v2.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 6758 bytes, A
       Adds the file yahoo-mail.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 754 bytes, A
       Adds the file youtube.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 24403 bytes, A
       Adds the file youtube_tile_v2.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 3650 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lmdaidmkcfedlklheenfhiddbpibkapg\11.0.0.59_0\css
       Adds the file 24.style.css"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 330 bytes, A
       Adds the file style.css"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 4969 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lmdaidmkcfedlklheenfhiddbpibkapg\11.0.0.59_0\fonts
       Adds the file HelveticaNeueLT-Roman.woff"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 16320 bytes, A
       Adds the file HelveticaNeue-Thin.otf"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 24888 bytes, A
       Adds the file neue.woff"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 14492 bytes, A
       Adds the file neue-bold.woff"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 48112 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lmdaidmkcfedlklheenfhiddbpibkapg\11.0.0.59_0\js
       Adds the file background.min.js"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 9833 bytes, A
       Adds the file common.min.js"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 1511747 bytes, A
       Adds the file common.min.js.LICENSE"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 3782 bytes, A
       Adds the file index.min.js"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 161968 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lmdaidmkcfedlklheenfhiddbpibkapg\11.0.0.59_0\skin\icons
       Adds the file 16.png"="4/12/2020 8:01 PM, 929 bytes, A

Registry details [View: All details] (Selection)
------------------------------------------------
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Google\Chrome\PreferenceMACs\Default\extensions.settings]
       "lmdaidmkcfedlklheenfhiddbpibkapg"="REG_SZ", "EC6091D453BD9B4FEEE036A3047615C1E9E7652E8DD49672C87E89A52CDD885E"
Malwarebytes log:

Malwarebytes
www.malwarebytes.com

-Log Details-
Scan Date: 5/27/20
Scan Time: 10:35 AM
Log File: fd880eae-9ff4-11ea-b6e7-00ffdcc6fdfc.json

-Software Information-
Version: 4.1.0.56
Components Version: 1.0.920
Update Package Version: 1.0.24522
License: Premium

-System Information-
OS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1
CPU: x64
File System: NTFS
User: {computername}\{username}

-Scan Summary-
Scan Type: Threat Scan
Scan Initiated By: Manual
Result: Completed
Objects Scanned: 232463
Threats Detected: 7
Threats Quarantined: 7
Time Elapsed: 2 min, 47 sec

-Scan Options-
Memory: Enabled
Startup: Enabled
Filesystem: Enabled
Archives: Enabled
Rootkits: Disabled
Heuristics: Enabled
PUP: Detect
PUM: Detect

-Scan Details-
Process: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Module: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Key: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Value: 1
PUP.Optional.SearchManager.BITSRST, HKCU\SOFTWARE\GOOGLE\CHROME\PREFERENCEMACS\Default\extensions.settings|lmdaidmkcfedlklheenfhiddbpibkapg, Quarantined, 283, 626728, , , , 

Registry Data: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Data Stream: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folder: 1
PUP.Optional.SearchManager.BITSRST, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\DEFAULT\EXTENSIONS\LMDAIDMKCFEDLKLHEENFHIDDBPIBKAPG, Quarantined, 283, 626728, 1.0.24522, , ame, 

File: 5
PUP.Optional.SearchManager.BITSRST, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Secure Preferences, Replaced, 283, 626728, , , , 
PUP.Optional.SearchManager.BITSRST, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Preferences, Replaced, 283, 626728, , , , 
PUP.Optional.SearchManager.BITSRST, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\DEFAULT\EXTENSIONS\LMDAIDMKCFEDLKLHEENFHIDDBPIBKAPG\11.0.0.59_0\MANIFEST.JSON, Quarantined, 283, 626728, 1.0.24522, , ame, 
PUP.Optional.SearchManager.BITSRST, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\DEFAULT\EXTENSIONS\LMDAIDMKCFEDLKLHEENFHIDDBPIBKAPG\11.0.0.59_0\RESPONSECONFIG.JSON, Quarantined, 283, 626727, 1.0.24522, , ame, 
PUP.Optional.SearchManager.BITSRST, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Secure Preferences, Replaced, 283, 628563, 1.0.24522, , ame, 

Physical Sector: 0
(No malicious items detected)

WMI: 0
(No malicious items detected)


(end)
As mentioned before the full version of Malwarebytes could have protected your computer against this threat.
We use different ways of protecting your computer(s):
  • Dynamically Blocks Malware Sites & Servers
  • Malware Execution Prevention
Save yourself the hassle and get protected.
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