TheGameSearcher

TheGameSearcher software from h[tt]ps://thegamesearcher[.]com can be found on the Chrome Web Store if you navigate to Chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/thegamesearcher/cafloompkfpcfoonhijmekcogofdjoah. TheGameSearcher browser extension is claimed to offer access to "1000+ games, puzzles, arcades, RPGs and more." Web surfers are promised "free access to the most popular games, like Minecraft" at no extra costs. You will be wrong to think that TheGameSearcher extension has anything to do with the Minecraft PC game from Mojang AB (https://minecraft[.]net/en-us/). TheGameSearcher application may be promoted on h[tt]ps://install.thegamesearcher[.]com/?pid=11111 using images and logos from the Mojang's Protected Intellectual Property but the TheGameSearcher extension is not affiliated with it in any way.

TheGameSearcher is an ad-supported program from programmers who do not mention a company name except for thegamesearcher[.]com on the Terms of Use Agreement — thegamesearcher[.]com/terms.html and the Privacy Policy on thegamesearcher[.]com/privacy.html. Tests showed that TheGameSearcher extension does not change the new tab in browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera and Internet Explorer. However, the default search services is changed to feed.thegamesearcher[.]com, which lacks standard encryption and a valid cybersecurity certificate. Web surfers might be redirected via feed.thegamesearcher[.]com to a customized search engine based on Yahoo:

h[tt]p:feed.thegamesearcher[.]com/q?=[SEARCH TERMS] leads users to h[tt]ps://search.yahoo[.]com/yhs/search?hspart=Lkry&hsimp=yhs-newtab&u_ip=[YOUR IP]&type=YHS_TGS_100&%20p=[SEARCH TERMS]

Computer security experts classify TheGameSearcher as a Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) that requires the following privileges in Google Chrome:

• Read and change all your data on the websites you visit.
• Change your search settings to feed.thegamesearcher.com.
• Manage your apps, extensions and themes.

You should not expect TheGameSearcher extension to add links to games on your new tab and let your play Mojang's Minecraft game for free. You can buy Minecraft legally from Minecraft[.]net/en-us/store/?ref=m, but you will not receive discounts through thegamesearcher[.]com. You might be shown ads and targeted commercials on Yahoo if you continue to use TheGameSearcher extension. The ads and sponsored search results from TheGameSearcher may include links to pornographic content and untrusted pages. PC users can remove TheGameSearcher program and related Web beacons with the help of a credible anti-spyware scanner.