GamesGoFree virus (home.gamesgofree.com)

The GamesGoFree virus (also referred to as Games Go Free) is a term used to describe potential malware categorized as a browser hijacker that changes existing internet browser settings without user consent and installs to a computer system and attaches to popular Internet Browsers including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Explorer as a browser extension, browser add-on, and browser helper object. GamesGoFree malware causes affected internet browsers to start up on the GamesGoFree Search website or search results page, as well as third-party domains including search.conduit.com. GamesGoFree also causes internet browsers to redirect to home.gamesgofree.com when users attempt to search the web using the browsers address bar, toolbar, or omnibar.

The GamesGoFree search results page is by no means legitimate and may display unwanted advertisements, sponsored links, and list harmful results, including links that promote fraudulent Microsoft Windows software, otherwise known as scareware or rogue software. However, for the most part search results displayed on home.gamesgofree.com and gamesgofree.com are sponsored and the website is paid each time a user clicks advertisements, sponsored links, or downloads associated third-party software. This can be seen as a very unethical tactic as most users who visit the website have reported to do so against their will.

GamesGoFree and gamesgofree.com, including free games promoted by the website are dangerous concerning their relationship with third-party malware, the invasion of privacy, entrapment, and cyber crimes including credit theft, extortion, and identity theft. Some users have reported unwelcome email spam, junk mail, and even telephone calls from telemarketers that may conclude that gamesgofree.com and third-party affiliates may observe, collect, and distribute user information to mailing and marketing lists, including user information manually submitted online while third-party software or GamesGoFree Toolbar is present on the computer system or affected internet browser. *In some cases information collected by browser hijackers and related malware may be used in telephone phishing attempts.

How does GamesGoFree malware infect a computer?

GamesGoFree primarily bundles with downloadable content including freeware and shareware. If you recently installed software, downloaded GamesGoFree games, played games on the website or third-party websites, or clicked links associated with the website or distributed by download.com, chances are a program that will cause your internet browser to redirect to gamesgofree.com was introduced. This program may be titled “Games Go Free” or GamesGoFree Toolbar, but may also be a third-party item such as Freemake Video Downloader and removing or uninstall such an item will also remove the unwanted malware.

Downloading games from gamesgofree.com may introduce third-party software to a computer system without ‘direct’ user consent or knowledge. This is defined as unethical entrapment as gamesgofree.com and other websites who also practice this tactic are consciously generating money off the confusion and misfortunes of internet users.

 

1. Uninstall GamesGoFree software (2 options)

Option 1: Windows Uninstall (Manual Uninstall)

1. Access Windows Start Menu and navigate to the Control Panel.

2. Click Uninstall a program or Add and remove a program (depending on your version of Windows).

3. In the list of installed programs search for GamesGoFree (Games Go Free Toolbar, free games) and unwanted third party software (including programs you recently installed). Uninstall any unwanted software by double clicking the program’s icon, or highlight the program in the list and click the Uninstall button/tab.

Option 2: CCleaner by Piriform (Automated Uninstall)

CCleaner by Piriform

CCleaner can be used to uninstall stubborn software and software used to promote the GamesGoFree browser hijacker.

1. Install the free or paid version of CCleaner by Piriform and run the program.

   

2. Once installed, navigate to Tools > Uninstall tab and locate unwanted software in the list. To automatically uninstall the found software click Run Uninstaller.

2. Remove unwanted browser attachments

If necessary after uninstalling unwanted software, you may need to remove a browser add-on or extension such as Dale Toolbar. Please note, it may be necessary to remove multiple third-party titles.

Google Chrome

1. Click on the Customize icon (wrench or 3 bar icon) next to the address bar and navigate to Tools > Extensions.

2. Search for the Games Go Free extension and remove it by clicking the trashcan icon next to them.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Type Ctrl+Shift+A.

2. On the Extensions and Plugin search for the Games Go Free add-on and remove it.

Microsoft Internet Explorer

1. Click Tools and select Manage add-ons.

2. On the Toolbars and Extensions tab search for the Games Go Free add-on and remove it if located.

3. Automatically remove GamesGoFree malware

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can be used to detect and remove GamesGoFree and/or third-party malware from your computer system.

1. Install the free or paid version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software.

   

2. Once Malwarebytes is installed, run the program. If you are using the free version of Malwarebytes you will be prompted to update the database, please do so.

3. Open the first tab labeled “Scanner” and select the Perform full scan option. Click the Scan button to perform a full system scan. Malwarebytes will automatically detect malware infecting your computer system.

4. Once the full system scan is complete, Malwarebytes may prompt a message stating malicious objects were detected. Select the malicious objects and click the Remove Selected button to completely remove the malicious files from your computer (the image below shows a file that is NOT selected).

4. Automatically repair browser settings (Automated repair)

CCleaner by Piriform

CCleaner can also be used to repair internet browser settings and stop your browser from redirecting to http://www.home.gamesgofree.com/ and other unwanted search engines.

1. Install the free or paid version of CCleaner by Piriform and run the program.

   

2. Once installed, run the program and navigate to Cleaner > Windows/Applications and click the Analyze button. Afterwards, click the Run Cleaner button on the bottom right of the program interface.

3. Next, navigate to Tools > Startup and search through each tab starting from windows, internet explorer, etc., all the way to Content Menu, for additional suspicious entries and click Disable and Delete once anything is found. Look for anything that may be suspicious or contain “game or search” in the title or filename.

5. Manually remove home.gamesgofree.com homepage

• In Mozilla Firefox navigate to Tools > Options or click Firefox in the top left corner and click Options > Options. Under the General tab remove home.gamesgofree.com from the “Home Page:” field and replace it with your preferred home page URL.

• In Microsoft Internet Explorer navigate to Tools >Internet Options. Remove home.gamesgofree.com from the Home Page field and replace it with your preferred URL.

• In Google Chrome click the customize icon (wrench or 3 bars) and navigate to Settings.Click “Set pages” under the On startup option. Remove home.gamesgofree.com and replace it with your preferred URL.

6. Manually remove home.gamesgofree.com search engine

• In Mozilla Firefox, click the small search magnify glass near the search box (not url/search field) and click “Manage Search Engines…”. Remove the home.gamesgofree.com search engine from the list of search providers by highlighting the selections and clicking remove.

• In Microsoft Internet Explorer navigate to Tools > Manage Add Ons > Search Providers and remove the home.gamesgofree.com search engine from the list.

• In Google Chrome, click the customize icon (wrench or 3 bars) and navigate to Settings > Manage search engines… click the X next to the home.gamesgofree.com search engine to remove it.

Please note, If http://www.home.gamesgofree.com/ is set as Google Chrome’s default search engine, add (or select) a new search engine (such as Google.com) and select the new search engine as the default search engine, then remove www.home.gamesgofree.com by clicking the X next to it.

Related links:

• How to remove Conduit Toolbar (hijacker)
• How to remove Coupon Drop Down (adware)
• How to stop unwanted browser redirections
• Get Anti-malware, Antivirus, and Cleaning & Optimization software