What is TopGameSearch?
The IT security specialists have determined that TopGameSearch is a PUP (potentially unwanted program) from the group of Browser hijackers. The aim of browser hijackers is to generate advertising profit. For example, a browser hijacker redirects the user’s homepage to the browser hijacker’s page that contains advertisements or sponsored links; a browser hijacker redirects the user web searches to a link the browser hijacker wants the user to see, rather than to legitimate search engine results. When the user clicks on advertisements in the search results, the developers behind browser hijackers gets paid. The developers of browser hijackers can collect privacy info such as user browsing habits as well as browsing history and sell this information to third parties for marketing purposes.
When you are performing searches using the browser that has been affected by TopGameSearch, the search results will be returned from Bing, Yahoo or Google Custom Search. The creators of the browser hijacker are most likely doing this to generate advertisement revenue from the ads shown in the search results.
Another reason why you need to remove TopGameSearch is its online data-tracking activity. It can gather sensitive info, including:
- IP addresses;
- URLs visited;
- search queries/terms;
- clicks on links and advertisements;
- web browser version information.
If you are unfortunate have hijacker, adware or malicious software running on your PC, you can follow the suggestions below to remove TopGameSearch from Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Internet Explorer.
How can a browser hijacker get on your PC
Potentially unwanted programs and browser hijackers usually are bundled within another application in the same installer. The risk of this is especially high for the various free programs downloaded from the Internet. The authors of the apps are hoping that users will use the quick installation option, that is simply to click the Next button, without paying attention to the information on the screen and don’t carefully considering every step of the setup procedure. Thus, the browser hijacker can infiltrate your computer without your knowledge. Therefore, it is very important to read everything that the program says during setup, including the ‘Terms of Use’ and ‘Software license’. Use only the Manual, Custom or Advanced install type. This method will help you to disable all optional and unwanted applications and components.
Threat Summary
| Name | TopGameSearch |
| Type | search provider hijacker, start page hijacker, redirect virus, PUP, browser hijacker |
| Related web-sites | feed.topgamesearch.com, install.topgamesearch.com, portal.topgamesearch.com, get.topgamesearch.com |
| Affected Browser Settings | homepage, newtab page URL, search engine |
| Distribution | free programs installation packages, misleading pop-up advertisements, fake updaters |
| Symptoms | Advertising pop ups won’t go away. Every time you perform an Internet search, your internet browser is redirected to another web page. Unwanted application installed without your say-so. Unwanted web-browser toolbars in your web-browser. Your internet browser startpage has changed and you cannot change it back. |
| Removal | TopGameSearch removal guide |
How to remove TopGameSearch from PC
There are a simple manual instructions below that will help you to delete TopGameSearch from your Windows PC. The most effective solution to get rid of this browser hijacker is to perform the manual removal instructions and then use Zemana Anti Malware, MalwareBytes Anti Malware or HitmanPro automatic tools (all are free). The manual way will help to weaken this hijacker and the free malware removal tools will completely remove TopGameSearch and return the Chrome, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Edge settings to default.
To remove TopGameSearch, execute the following steps:
- How to manually remove TopGameSearch
- Automatic Removal of TopGameSearch
- How to stop TopGameSearch redirect
How to manually remove TopGameSearch
The following instructions is a step-by-step guide, which will help you manually uninstall the TopGameSearch browser hijacker from the Chrome, Edge, Microsoft Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox.
Remove potentially unwanted applications using Windows Control Panel
Some programs are free only because their installer contains a browser hijacker like TopGameSearch. This unwanted apps generates revenue for the makers when it is installed. Many hijackers can be deleted by simply uninstalling them from the ‘Uninstall a Program’ that is located in MS Windows control panel.
Windows 8, 8.1, 10
First, press the Windows button
, then click Search 
. Type “Control panel”and press Enter.Windows XP, Vista, 7
First, press “Start” and select “Control Panel”.
It will open the Windows Control Panel like the one below.
Next, click “Uninstall a program” 
It will open a list of all applications installed on your PC system. Scroll through the all list, and remove any dubious and unknown apps. To quickly find the latest installed software, we recommend sort applications by date in the Control panel.
Remove TopGameSearch from Google Chrome
The hijacker can alter your Google Chrome settings without your knowledge. You may see TopGameSearch as your search provider or homepage, additional plugins and toolbars. Reset Chrome browser will help you to get rid of TopGameSearch and reset the unwanted changes caused by browser hijacker. Keep in mind that resetting your internet browser will not remove your history, bookmarks, passwords, and other saved data.
- First, launch the Google Chrome and click the Menu icon (icon in the form of three dots).
- It will open the Chrome main menu. Select More Tools, then click Extensions.
- You will see the list of installed plugins. If the list has the extension labeled with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following instructions: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy.
- Now open the Google Chrome menu once again, press the “Settings” menu.
- Next, click “Advanced” link, which located at the bottom of the Settings page.
- On the bottom of the “Advanced settings” page, click the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.
- The Chrome will open the reset settings prompt as shown on the screen above.
- Confirm the browser’s reset by clicking on the “Reset” button.
- To learn more, read the article How to reset Chrome settings to default.
Get rid of TopGameSearch from Mozilla Firefox by resetting browser settings
If the Mozilla Firefox internet browser home page, newtab page and search engine by default are changed to TopGameSearch and you want to restore the settings back to their default values, then you should follow the step-by-step guidance below. However, your saved passwords and bookmarks will not be changed or cleared.
Launch the Firefox and click the menu button (it looks like three stacked lines) at the top right of the internet browser screen. Next, press the question-mark icon at the bottom of the drop-down menu. It will show the slide-out menu.
Select the “Troubleshooting information”. If you’re unable to access the Help menu, then type “about:support” in your address bar and press Enter. It bring up the “Troubleshooting Information” page like below.
Click the “Refresh Firefox” button at the top right of the Troubleshooting Information page. Select “Refresh Firefox” in the confirmation prompt. The Firefox will begin a procedure to fix your problems that caused by the TopGameSearch hijacker. After, it is done, click the “Finish” button.
Delete TopGameSearch hijacker from Microsoft Internet Explorer
First, open the Microsoft Internet Explorer. Next, press the button in the form of gear (
). It will show the Tools drop-down menu, press the “Internet Options” as on the image below.
In the “Internet Options” window click on the Advanced tab, then press the Reset button. The Internet Explorer will show the “Reset Internet Explorer settings” window as displayed on the image below. Select the “Delete personal settings” check box, then click “Reset” button.
You will now need to restart your PC system for the changes to take effect.
Automatic Removal of TopGameSearch
Manual removal is not always as effective as you might think. Often, even the most experienced users can not completely remove hijacker from the infected computer. So, we recommend to check your computer for any remaining malicious components with free hijacker removal apps below.
How to get rid of TopGameSearch with Zemana
You can download and use the Zemana Anti Malware (ZAM) for free. This anti malware utility will scan all the Windows registry keys and files in your personal computer along with the system settings and web browser addons. If it finds any malicious software, adware software or malicious extension that is causing redirect to TopGameSearch website then the Zemana Free will get rid of them from your device completely.
- First, visit the following page, then press the ‘Download’ button in order to download the latest version of Zemana Anti-Malware (ZAM).
Zemana AntiMalware
164027 downloads
Author: Zemana Ltd
Category: Security tools
Update: July 16, 2019
- After downloading is done, close all software and windows on your computer. Open a directory in which you saved it. Double-click on the icon that’s named Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup.
- Further, click Next button and follow the prompts.
- Once installation is finished, click the “Scan” button to perform a system scan with this tool for the TopGameSearch hijacker. A system scan can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on your device. When a threat is detected, the number of the security threats will change accordingly.
- When that process is done, Zemana AntiMalware (ZAM) will display a screen which contains a list of malicious software that has been found. In order to delete all items, simply press “Next”. When finished, you can be prompted to reboot your personal computer.
Run Hitman Pro to remove TopGameSearch browser hijacker
HitmanPro is a free removal tool. It removes potentially unwanted applications, adware software, browser hijackers and undesired browser addons. It’ll locate and get rid of TopGameSearch hijacker. HitmanPro uses very small device resources and is a portable program. Moreover, HitmanPro does add another layer of malware protection.
- Visit the page linked below to download the latest version of HitmanPro for Microsoft Windows. Save it to your Desktop so that you can access the file easily.
- Once the download is finished, double click the Hitman Pro icon. Once this tool is opened, click “Next” button to perform a system scan with this tool for the TopGameSearch browser hijacker. This procedure may take some time, so please be patient. When a threat is detected, the number of the security threats will change accordingly. Wait until the the scanning is done.
- After HitmanPro completes the scan, Hitman Pro will open you the results. When you’re ready, press “Next” button. Now press the “Activate free license” button to begin the free 30 days trial to remove all malware found.
Run MalwareBytes AntiMalware to remove TopGameSearch hijacker
We advise using the MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) which are fully clean your personal computer of the browser hijacker. The free tool is an advanced malware removal program created by (c) Malwarebytes lab. This program uses the world’s most popular anti-malware technology. It’s able to help you get rid of hijacker, PUPs, malicious software, adware, toolbars, ransomware and other security threats from your computer for free.
Visit the following page to download the latest version of MalwareBytes for MS Windows. Save it on your MS Windows desktop or in any other place.
326379 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020
After downloading is finished, close all windows on your PC system. Further, run the file named MBSetup. If the “User Account Control” dialog box pops up as displayed in the figure below, press the “Yes” button.
It will display the Setup wizard that will allow you install MalwareBytes Free on the computer. Follow the prompts and do not make any changes to default settings.
Once setup is done successfully, click “Get Started” button. Then MalwareBytes Free will automatically launch and you can see its main window as displayed on the screen below.
Next, press the “Scan” button to begin scanning your computer for the TopGameSearch hijacker. A system scan may take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on your computer.
As the scanning ends, the results are displayed in the scan report. Make sure to check mark the threats which are unsafe and then click “Quarantine” button.
The MalwareBytes will remove TopGameSearch hijacker. When disinfection is done, you can be prompted to reboot your computer. We recommend you look at the following video, which completely explains the procedure of using the MalwareBytes Free to delete hijackers, adware software and other malicious software.
How to stop TopGameSearch redirect
Use ad blocking application like AdGuard in order to stop ads, malvertisements, pop-ups and online trackers, avoid having to install harmful and adware browser plug-ins and add-ons that affect your PC system performance and impact your device security. Browse the World Wide Web anonymously and stay safe online!
Installing the AdGuard is simple. First you will need to download AdGuard on your personal computer from the following link.
26627 downloads
Version: 6.4
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: November 15, 2018
Once downloading is complete, double-click the downloaded file to launch it. The “Setup Wizard” window will show up on the computer screen as displayed in the figure below.
Follow the prompts. AdGuard will then be installed and an icon will be placed on your desktop. A window will show up asking you to confirm that you want to see a quick tutorial similar to the one below.
Click “Skip” button to close the window and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial which will help you get to know AdGuard better.
Each time, when you launch your PC system, AdGuard will run automatically and stop unwanted advertisements, block TopGameSearch redirects, as well as other malicious or misleading web-sites. For an overview of all the features of the program, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the AdGuard icon, which is located on your desktop.
Finish words
Now your PC system should be free of the TopGameSearch browser hijacker. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you stop unwanted pop up ads and annoying malicious webpages) and Zemana Anti Malware (to periodically scan your device for new browser hijackers and other malicious software). Probably you are running an older version of Java or Adobe Flash Player. This can be a security risk, so download and install the latest version right now.
If you are still having problems while trying to get rid of TopGameSearch from the Mozilla Firefox, Chrome, MS Edge and IE, then ask for help here here.
