eFast software belongs to an infamous spyware category. Although its developers (Clara-Labs) are convincing people that it is “A web browser built for speed, simplicity, and security,” don't fall into believing this. Instead of accommodating your web browsing, eFast may replace your default web browser without asking your permission and initiate various interferences during your browsing.
Why shouldn't I trust eFast web browser?
Security vendors claim that eFast hijack can replace or even delete legitimate web browsers on your computer and set eFast app as your default Internet browser. Please be very attentive if you have noticed an increased amount of ads on your screen – if you are using Google Chrome, check the 'About' section in Chrome browser's settings. We have investigated this rogue app and found out that it often pretends to trick computer users and particularly replace Google Chrome browser. After that, it abolishes all shortcuts to other web browsers automatically and prevents users from opening them.
This browser threat can infect your computer system unnoticeably. Security experts warn that eFast can be spread bundled with browser hijackers, so don't be surprised seeing some search.sidecubes.com, Dregol.com, istart123.com or any other bogus search engine set as your default start page/search provider. As we have already mentioned, this fraudulent web browser can deliver excessive amounts of ads to you, so, as a result, it is considered to be an 'adware' program. It has been noticed that it displays commercial and non-commercial advertisements pretending that they are displayed by the websites that the user is viewing. However, if they are marked with text like “Ads by eFast,” “eFast Browser Ads,” “powered by eFast” or similarly, there are no doubts that they are brought by this dubious web browser.
Unfortunately, this eFast software is involved in doubtful third-party advertising campaigns, so we recommend avoiding to click on eFast ads as they can end you up on rogue web sources that might run suspicious businesses, such as the distribution of potentially unwanted programs. That's why eFast redirects may appear to be risky to you and your PC's security. Besides, this adware is known to be tracking victim's browsing activities as well, which is why it may also cause leakage of personally non-identifiable information. To prevent all inconveniences and minimize the risk of another computer infection, we recommend you to install FortectIntego spyware removal tool and terminate eFast web browser ASAP.
How can I avoid eFast hijack?
Regarding eFast distribution, it would be too nice to say that it is unfair. In fact, this program is distributed using “bundling,” which means that its developers exploit users inattentiveness by spreading this ad-supported web browser with other free programs. To be more specific, this application can be found attached to various freeware as an 'optional download.' The sad truth is that people are used to installing freeware by clicking the 'Next' button all the time, so the eFast's developers' attempts to inject eFast virus along with some download managers and media players can be very successful. To avoid installing eFast and similar PUPs, you have to select “Advanced” or “Custom” settings whenever you install new programs to your PC. Then, you must deselect additional software components by removing the tick mark next to suggestions to install them. DO NOT opt for 'Default' or 'Basic' one! These settings conceal the information about additional attachments. If you have installed freeware using these options and now eFast virus has occupied your PC, please continue reading on page 2 to find out how to remove it.
Can I remove eFast by myself?
Any legitimate application can be removed manually. However, what regards eFast virus, manual removal is not recommended. As we have already mentioned, this web browser is usually spread by 'bundling' and may carry other PUPs alongside. As a result, your computer might have been hijacked by several PUPs at once. Therefore, to fix your computer completely, a full system check with a trustworthy anti-spyware is a number one solution. A reputable spyware removal tool can detect and eliminate all of them.
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.
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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