EFast Browser (Removal Instructions) - Jul 2017 update
eFast Browser Removal Guide
What is eFast Browser?
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.
You may remove virus damage with a help of FortectIntego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
Getting rid of eFast Browser. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
Open Control Panel and have a look through the list of recently installed programs. If you find eFast and other suspicious programs, uninstall them immediately.
Instructions for Windows 10/8 machines:
- Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
- From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
- Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
- If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
- Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK.
If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
- At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
- In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
- Click OK once the removal process is finished.
Delete from macOS
Remove items from Applications folder:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
- Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)
To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
- In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.
Remove from Microsoft Edge
After the hijack, you should take care of Microsoft Edge by following these guidelines:
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 on Uninstall at the bottom.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select everything (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 Disable if you found any suspicious domain.
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.
If this solution failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method. Note that you need to backup your data before proceeding.
- Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
- Right-click on them and pick Delete
- Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- When the new window opens, copy and paste the following command, and then press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose
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.
Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
First of all, uninstall eFast Browser extension, as well as other add-ons that may have been installed without your knowledge as well. Secondly, reset Mozilla Firefox in order to get rid of tracking cookies.
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 unwanted plugin and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Options.
- Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.
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, as well as Cached Web Content and press 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
These instructions will help you to delete eFast from the Google Chrome entirely. Please follow them carefully and do not leave any adware-related entries installed.
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 the suspicious plugins that might be 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 unwanted extensions from Safari:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- Go to Advanced tab.
- Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches.
After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware. This will help you to get rid of eFast Browser registry traces and will also identify related parasites or possible malware infections on your computer. For that you can use our top-rated malware remover: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
How to prevent from getting adware
Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are
There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity. While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.
Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.
Data backups are important – recover your lost files
Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data. Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.
While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as Data Recovery Pro can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.
- ^ Chris Hoffman. Why You Shouldn’t Use (Most) Alternative Browsers Based on Google Chrome. How-To Geek. For Geeks, By Geeks.
- ^ Margaret Rouse. Adware. TechTarget. Latest technology news and global network of technology-related blogs.
- ^ Malvertising: Some Examples of Malicious Ad Campaigns. Zelster. Information Security in Business.
- ^ LesVirus. LesVirus. Frech site about malware, computer viruses and removal tutorials.
- ^ What Are EULAs and Why Should I Read Them?. ITS. Information Technology Services.