How to remove gamesCenter Search extension

by Sean Doyle · Published September 5, 2017 · Updated September 11, 2022

What is gamesCenter Search?

gamesCenter Search is the name of a browser extension that modifies your existing internet browser settings including your homepage, new tab page, and default search. Once the settings are modified it will cause the affected browser to start-up on a gamesCenter Search website and redirect to a website when a search is conducted in the address bar. The gamesCenter Search website will then redirect users to search.yahoo.com (shown below).

gamesCenter Search

The gamesCenter Search extension for Google Chrome can read and change all your data on the websites you visit which allows it to gather information about your browsing habits and internet history. It can also change your search settings to game.enanswers.com.

The extension generates revenue from the advertisements displayed on websites it redirects you to, sponsored search content, information it reads and sells about you, and from affiliated downloads it’s able to make.

To make matters worse, the gamesCenter Search extension is advertised by malicious advertising networks on websites that also bolster malware, adware, spyware, and other malicious threats. This means that if you found gamesCenter Search attached to your internet browser without your consent or have been attacked by gamesCenter Search advertisements it is likely that your computer is infected with other malicious programs that should be removed.

The extension can also be automatically installed without user consent and knowledge by third-party malware, adware, and download managers that add the extension to your browser in the background. These third-party objects will also infect your computer with additional malware and other threats.

How to remove gamesCenter Search

This gamesCenter Search removal guide will help you remove gamesCenter Search extension, viruses, malware, and other threats and extensions from your browser or PC. Follow each step below to remove this infection and protect yourself, friends, and your family from cyber criminals.

Step 1: Remove gamesCenter Search extension
Step 2: Remove malware with Malwarebytes Anti-malware
Step 3: Check your computer for malicious trace files with HitmanPro
Step 4: Clean up and fix system issues with CCleaner
Step 5: Manually repair browser settings (Optional)

1. Remove gamesCenter Search extension

Chrome

1. Click the Customize and control Google Chrome icon and go to More tools > Extensions.

2. Click the trashcan icon next to the gamesCenter Search extension to remove it.

Firefox

1. Open the Menu and click Add-ons.

2. Click Remove next to the gamesCenter Search add-on to remove it.

Internet Explorer

1. Go to Tools (Alt+X) and click Manage add-ons.

2. Select the gamesCenter Search add-on with your mouse and click Remove.

Safari

1. Go to Safari > Preferences > Extensions.

2. Click the Uninstall button next to the gamesCenter Search extension to remove it.

2. Remove malware with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

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Open your browser window and download Malwarebytes 3.0 Premium or Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free.
Open the executable file (mb3-setup.exe) to begin installing Malwarebytes.
Select your language, click Next, then select “I accept the agreement,” click the Next button several times, and then click the Install button to install Malwarebytes. Click Finish once the install process is complete.
Open Malwarebytes and click the Scan Now button on the Dashboard to begin scanning your computer.
Click the Quarantine Selected button once the scan is finished.
If Malwarebytes says “All selected items have been removed successfully. A log file has been saved to the logs folder. Your computer needs to be restarted to complete the removal process. Would you like to restart now?” click the Yes button to restart your computer.

3. Check your computer for malicious trace files with HitmanPro

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Open your browser window and download HitmanPro.
Open the executable file (hitmanpro_x64.exe or hitmanpro_x32.exe) to begin installing HitmanPro.
Click the Next button, check “I accept the terms of the license agreement,” and click the Next button again.
On the Setup page select “Yes, create a copy of HitmanPro so I can regularly scan this computer (recommended)” and add your email address to the registration fields to begin the free trial.
Click Next to begin scanning your computer.
Once the Scan results are displayed click the Next button and click the Next button again on the Removal results page.

4. Clean up and fix system issues with CCleaner

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Open your browser window and download CCleaner Professional or CCleaner Free.
Open the executable file (ccsetup.exe or other) to begin installing CCleaner.
Click the Install button to begin stalling the program.
Click Run CCleaner to open the program when installation is complete.
Select the Cleaner tab and click the Analyze button.
When the Analyze process is complete click the Run Cleaner button to clean all files.
Next, select the Registry tab and click the Scan for Issues button to scan for issues in your registry.
When the scan is complete click the Fix selected Issues button and Fix All Selected Issues button to fix the issues.
Next, select the Tools tab and click Startup. Examine each area, search for suspicious entries, and delete any suspicious startup entries by selecting the entry and clicking the Delete button.
Next, click Browser Plugins and search each internet browser for unwanted browser add-ons and extensions. Click the extension you want to delete and click the Delete button to remove it.