The main information about Easy Arcade virus
Easy Arcade virus is a potentially unwanted program (PUP)[1] that is presented as a useful browser extension[2] for those who enjoy playing online games. This application offers access to the thousands of free online games. Nevertheless, this app has an official website that has a massive “Download” button; developers also use another distribution technique that allows infiltrating computers silently. This shady method is called “bundling” and allows adding this app as an extra component to various free programs. As soon as Easy Arcade browser hijacker is installed on the PC, it might alter targeted browsers’ settings. Thus, when users open the affected browser, they might not only see new browser extension but new homepage as well. This program might replace current start page and default search engine to Easy Arcade New Tab. In this way, users are forced to use a suspicious search engine. Usually, browser hijackers are capable of modifying search results. Therefore, instead of organic links, sponsored links might appear on the results page. The main issue here is Easy Arcade redirect tendencies. There’s a huge possibility that some of the third-party links might lead to the potentially dangerous websites. By entering one of these sites you might get infected with ransomware,[3] tricked to install questionable tools or get involved in other online scams.[4]
So-called Easy Arcade virus might also be interested in some details about users. In the Privacy Policy developers reveal that they do not collect and share any personal data. However, in some cases, this app might collect some non-personally identifiable information. For instance, computer’s language, location, internet activity, installed software and drivers, IP address, operating system information, clicked search results or ads, etc. All this information is important to provide better services, to fix issues and provide support for the users. However, if you do not want that some unknown information collects information[5] about you, you should remove Easy Arcade from the system. If this app came along in the software bundle, we highly recommend scanning the computer with FortectIntego or other reputable anti-malware tools. System scan helps to eliminate all suspicious applications that might have been installed on your PC without your knowledge. If you want to take care of the computer yourself, you can get rid of this extension manually. Manual Easy Arcade removal instructions are presented at the end of this article.

How can this app hijack my browser?
This browser extension has an official website which offers a download link. However, we have already mentioned that EasyArcade browser extension might spread in the software bundles. Thus, it might be attached to any freeware or shareware. Thus, in order to avoid this browser extension, you need to be careful when installing new programs on your PC. First of all, use reliable sources for downloads and stay away from file-sharing domains or networks. Secondly, before installing program read EULA and Privacy Policy. These documents reveal what third-party applications might be installed along with the primary program. Lastly, rely on Advanced/Custom installation settings and carefully watch each step. If you rush to click “Next” button, you might overlook the list of additional downloads. As a result, you might experience Easy Arcade hijack. Bear in mind that Quick or Standard settings are not worth relying on. They do not inform about extra applications and install them by default.
How to remove Easy Arcade from the browser?
Easy Arcade removal might be performed either manually or automatically. The first method might look overwhelming and require to put a lot of effort. Indeed, you need to locate and delete browser hijacker along with its malicious components from the system. The step-by-step guide will help you to investigate the system and get rid of the hijacker. However, if you do not want dedicate an hour to remove Easy Arcade, you should opt for the second option. Install your preferred anti-malware or anti-spyware program and scan computer’s system. The program will do the job for you.
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.

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