Search.gag.cool Redirect

What is search.gag.cool?

According to the developers, search.gag.cool is a high-quality Internet search engine that supposedly generates improved results.

Initially, this site may appear legitimate, however, developers promote search.gag.cool by employing a browser hijacker (a form of unwanted software that modifies browser options without permission) called GagCool. Furthermore, search.gag.cool and GagCool continually record various user-system information.

Following infiltration, this potentially unwanted program (PUP) hijacks Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, stealthily modifying the new tab URL, default search engine, and homepage options by assigning them to search.gag.cool. These changes may not seem significant, however, users are unable to revert them.

Research shows that search.gag.cool continues to reassign browser options when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, it becomes impossible to return browsers to their previous states and users are encouraged to visit search.gag.cool when they search via the URL bar or simply open a new browser tab.

When users enter a search query into search.gag.cool, they are redirected to bing.com. Thus, searches are forced via the Bing search engine (a legitimate site). As mentioned above, search.gag.cool and GagCool continually record various data that might contain personal details. This behavior is very common to fake search engines and browser-hijacking apps.

Developers sell the information to third parties, thereby putting your privacy at risk. Some PUPs are also designed to misuse system resources to run unwanted processes in the background.

By mining cryptocurrency or performing other unwanted tasks in this way, PUPs significantly diminish overall computer performance. If you encounter redirects to search.gag.cool, uninstall GagCool and never visit this site again.

Threat Summary:

Name	GagCool browser hijacker
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Symptoms	Manipulated Internet browser(s) settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). User's are forced to visit hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers.
Damage	Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites.
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There are dozens of browser-hijacking applications that share similarities with search.gag.cool. For example, Search Classifieds, Beleela Shopper Search, Search Anonymo, and Easy Transit Guide. Note that all of these apps offer different functionality, however, their behavior is identical.

Claims to provide 'useful features' are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy. The only purpose of all PUPs is to generate revenue for the developers. Therefore, most are useless for regular users - few provide the features promised.

Rather than giving any real value for regular users, PUPs promote deceptive websites (by causing unwanted redirects), gather information, and misuse system resources. Potentially unwanted programs pose a direct threat to your privacy and Internet browsing safety.

How did search.gag.cool install on my computer?

GagCool has an official download website, however, as with most browser hijackers, this PUP is distributed using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" (stealth installation of third party software together with regular apps). Therefore, GagCool commonly infiltrates systems without permission due to lack of many users' caution and careless behavior.

Developers hide "bundled" programs within the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings of the download/installation processes. Rushing and skipping this section, thereby exposes systems to risk of various infections and puts users' privacy at risk.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

To prevent system infiltration by PUPs, be very cautious when downloading/installing software and browsing the Internet in general. As mentioned above, PUPs are distributed using the "bundling" method. Therefore, carefully analyze each window of the download/installation dialogues and opt-out of all additionally-included programs.

In addition, Never use third party download/installation tools, since these are monetized by promoting unwanted programs. Be aware that criminals proliferate PUPs via 'malvertising' ads (coupons, banners, pop-ups, etc.) These lead to websites that contain malicious content and/or execute scripts that download and install malware.

If you encounter ads leading to suspicious sites (e.g., pornography, adult dating, survey, gambling, etc.), immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins. The key to computer safety is caution.

Website promoting GagCool browser hijacker:

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Quick menu:

• What is search.gag.cool?
• STEP 1. Uninstall GagCool application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove search.gag.cool redirect from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove GagCool browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove search.gag.cool homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove search.gag.cool redirect from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

GagCool browser hijacker removal:

Windows 11 users:

Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.

Windows 10 users:

Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.

Windows 7 users:

Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.

macOS (OSX) users:

Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently-installed suspicious applications (for example, "GagCool"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted programs that cause browser redirects to the search.gag.cool website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

GagCool browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser redirects:

Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://search.gag.cool and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer. You can also enter about: blank to open a blank page when you start Internet Explorer.

Change your default search engine:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". In the opened window, select "Search Providers", set "Google", "Bing", or any other preferred search engine as your default and then remove "GagCool".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the gagcool browser hijacker, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.

Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Click the Reset button.

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "GagCool" and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.

Change your homepage:

Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.gag.cool) below the “Open a specific or set of pages” option. If present, click the three vertical dots icon and select “Remove”.

Change your default search engine:

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list, look for "GagCool", and when located, click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the gagcool browser hijacker, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions" and remove "GagCool", as well as all other recently-installed browser plug-ins.

Change your homepage:

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://search.gag.cool and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your default search engine:

In the URL address bar, type about:config and press Enter.
Click "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "search.gag.cool"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with gagcool browser hijacker removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.

Select Troubleshooting Information.

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...

In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.

In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.

In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.

Optional method:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.

Change your homepage and new tab settings:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".

Change your default Internet search engine:

To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the gagcool browser hijacker, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

• If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.

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