PlayGem (also known as Gems Swap) is a deceptive gem game that is recognized as adware by reputable third-party malware research teams and security software vendors. PlayGem generates advertisements say “Smart AD” on them across Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Internet Explorer, and Apple Safari web browsers. PlayGem adware will inject the webpages you visit with pop-up ads, pop-under ads that take up an entire browser window, and in-text ads that appear when you hover the mouse pointer over hyperlinked text.
PlayGem is typically bundled with other programs. It will download in the background without user knowledge.
PlayGem Details
| Names | PlayGem, PlayGem virus |
| Detection Categories | Adware, Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) |
| Description | N/A |
| Symptoms | Advertisements in the web browser Browser redirects to sponsored webpages Decreased internet speed and performance Decreased computer functionality and performance Bundles with malware and other potentially unwanted programs |
| Common Path | C:\Program Files (x86) |
| Removal Tool | Download Malwarebytes |
Steps to remove PlayGem
- Scan your computer with Malwarebytes
- Scan your computer with HitmanPro
- Manually uninstall PlayGem and unwanted programs
- Manually remove unwanted add-ons and extensions
- Cleanup and repair settings with CCleaner
1. Scan your computer with Malwarebytes
1. Download and Install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software.
2. Open Malwarebytes and click the Scan Now button or go to the Scan tab and click the Start Scan button.
3. When the Malwarebytes scan is complete click the Remove Selected button.
4. To finish the Malwarebytes scan and remove detected threats click the Finish button and restart your computer if promoted to do so.
2. Scan your computer with HitmanPro
1. Download and Install HitmanPro by Surfright.
2. Open HitmanPro and click Next to start scanning your computer. *If you are using the free version you may chose to create a copy or perform a one-time scan.
3. When the HitmanPro scan is complete click the Next button.
4. To activate the free version of HitmanPro: enter your email address twice and click the Activate button.
5. Click the Reboot button.
3. Manually uninstall PlayGem and unwanted programs
1. Open Windows Start Menu and go to the Control Panel.
2. In the Programs section click Uninstall a program. In earlier versions of Windows this is listed as “Add and remove programs.”
3. Search for PlayGem Supporting Application in the list and double click it.
4. Once you have uninstalled PlayGem, search for other unwanted programs that may be installed on your computer and uninstall them as well.
4. Manualy remove unwanted add-ons and extension
Google Chrome
1. Click the Customize and control Google Chrome icon and go to More tools > Extensions.
2. Search for the unwanted extension in the list and click the trashcan icon.
Mozilla Firefox
1. Open the Menu and click Add-ons.
2. Search for the unwanted add-on and click Remove.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
1. Go to Tools (Alt+X) and click Manage add-ons.
2. Search for the unwanted add-on in the list, select it with your mouse, and click Remove.
Apple Safari
1. Go to Safari > Preferences > Extensions.
2. Search for the unwanted extension in the list and click the Uninstall button.
5. Cleanup and repair settings with CCleaner
1. Download and Install CCleaner by Piriform.
2. Open CCleaner and go to the main Cleaner screen. Click the Analyze button. When the process is complete, click the Run Cleaner button on the bottom right of the program interface.
3. Go to Tools > Startup and search for suspicious entries in each tab starting from Windows all the way to Content Menu. If you find anything suspicious click it and click the Delete button to remove it.
4. Go to the Registry window and click the Scan for Issues button. When the scan is complete click the Fix selected issues… button and click Fix All Selected Issues.
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