eFast Browser is a bogus copy of Google Chrome

eFast Browser, or simply eFast, is developed by ClaraLabs S.A. It is presented as “fast, stable, and easy to use” Chromium-based web browser[1] that is an excellent alternative to Google Chrome browser. However, security experts warn that this program belongs to the group of potentially unwanted programs (PUP) and adware.[2]
The main characteristics of this ad-supported program:
- copies the design and interface of Google Chrome;
- creates a bunch of shortcuts to popular websites on the desktop;
- might alter search results;
- delivers an excessive amount of online ads;
- redirects to potentially dangerous websites;
- might collect information about users.
Authors of this product are already known for spreading Unico Browser, Tortuga Browser, and other software that are considered to be potentially unwanted and dangerous for people’s privacy and PC’s security. In most of the cases, the browser is installed on computers without being noticed in a software bundle.
From the first glimpse, eFast Browser virus does not differ from Google Chrome web browser. To be more specific, these two web browsers use the same color scheme, logos, and apply Google as a default homepage/search provider. However, these two services cannot be compared.
The research revealed that the content provided by this browser is potentially dangerous. It is supported by advertising, what means that one of its tasks is to generate sponsored advertisements while people are browsing the net. Consequently, when using this web browser for surfing the net, you may notice an excessive amount of “Ads by [name of the adware],” [name of the adware] Ads,” “Brought by [name of the adware],” and similarly.
Supporters of this fake browser are may be of questionable reputation due to attempts to spread malware[3] or virus on random computers. Thus, it’s highly NOT recommended to click on any of the eFast Browser ads. This browser can display misleading advertisements and expose you to the pages embedded with fake software updates, infected links, unwanted software installers, and so on.
What is more, developers claim that this web browser allows to “Browse the web more safely with malware and protection built-in Chromium.” However, it’s not true. It has been found that this browser may not conform to proper security updates.
In order to protect your computer from possible cyber threats, you need to remove eFast from the device. However, your PC is not the only one that needs to be taken care of. This browser extension might also be used for analyzing people’s web browsing habits. For that, it may be filled with tracking cookies, web beacons, and similar software used for collecting, storing, and transmitting to remote control servers information like:
- PC’s IP address;
- location;
- email address;
- search queries;
- pages viewed;
- download/upload details;
- and similar data.
Aggregated data is usually used for marketing purposes. However, it might also be sold or shared with third parties. Thus, if your privacy matters to you, you should run a full system scan with FortectIntego and perform the automatic eFast removal.

Chromium-based browser might travel in software packages
eFast is most likely to be spread by bundling. In other words, it can hardly be found on the Internet as an individual tool. Usually, it travels bundled with other free programs, for instance, PDF converters, movie players, and other freeware or shareware. Thus, anyone from United States, Brazil or France[4] can download this PUP unintentionally.
To prevent this pest from unauthorized infiltration, we highly recommend you to check advanced or custom settings of each freeware and reject installation of “additional components.” Keep in mind that eFast hijack might occur when you install software under quick or recommended mode.
What is more, you should also read the Privacy Policy and EULA[5] before installing a new program. These documents might reveal about bundled software or suspicious data tracking techniques.
Elimination options for eFast virus
To remove eFast Browser from the computer, you have two choices. The first method suggests locating adware-related entries manually. The second method offers to dedicate this task for security software.
If you decide to get rid of the adware manually, you need to check the system for suspicious components. In order to do that, you should follow the steps below and uninstall all unknown entries from the Control Panel and web browsers.
However, if manual eFast removal seems complicated, you should hesitate and opt for the second elimination option. This method asks to install security software and scan the system with the help of it.
Uninstall from Windows
Uninstall from Windows 10/8:
- Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.

Remove the unwanted program:
- In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
- If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.

Delete from macOS
Remove the unwanted application:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).

Delete leftover files and folders:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
- Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.

- Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.
Reset Internet Explorer
Remove dangerous add-ons:
- Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
- Pick Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.

Change your homepage if it was altered:
- Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
- Select Internet Options.
- In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
- Click Apply and then select OK.

Delete temporary files:
- Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
- Under Browsing history, click Delete...
- Select relevant fields and press Delete.

Reset Internet Explorer:
- Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
- Select Reset.
- In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.

Remove from Microsoft Edge
Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:
- Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
- From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
- Click Remove.

Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.

Restore new tab and homepage settings:
- Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
- Then find On startup section.
- Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.
Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:
- Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
- Select Details tab.
- Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge
Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and site data:
- Click on Menu and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy, search and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Under Time range, pick All time.
- Select Clear now.

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- On the left side, pick Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- Confirm with Reset.
- This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
- Select Add-ons.
- In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.

Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Settings.
- Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data...
- Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.

Reset Mozilla Firefox
If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
- Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.

- Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
- Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.

Remove from Google Chrome
Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
- Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
- In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:
- Click on Menu and pick Settings.
- Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
- Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data.

Change your homepage:
- Click menu and choose Settings.
- Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
- Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.
Reset Google Chrome:
If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
- Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
- Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Confirm with Reset settings.

Delete from Safari
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
- Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.

Clear history and website data:
- Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
- Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.

Reset Safari:
- Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
- Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.

Did this guide help?
4 comments
jim jia
I did not understand that eFast browser is on my PC as it does not actually differ from Chrome. Nevertheless, I started suspecting something to go wrong due to lots of eFast ads during browsing. Be careful
Bob Degus
Is this browser work as an extension of Chrome? Im using Google Chome browser, but what raise my doubts is lots of advertisements marked as "Ads by eFast."
Bill Webb
I think that eFast Browser virus can cause other browsers to display ads. Thats my opinion, but you should ask professionals for that. In my case, eFast Browser has been set by default and I could not use another browser
Las Vegas
REMOVE EFAST BROWSER ASAP!!! It can cause browsers redirections to malicious pages..