Ads by ArcadeSwim
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is ArcadeSwim?
ArcadeSwim is a deceptive application that claims to allow users to play various addictive arcade games. On initial inspection, ArcadeSwim may seem legitimate and useful, however, this app is categorized as adware and a potentially unwanted program (PUP).
There are three main reasons for these negative associations: 1) stealth installation without permission; 2) display of intrusive online advertisements, and; 3) monitoring of web browsing activity.
ArcadeSwim employs a 'virtual layer' to deliver pop-up, banner, coupon, and other similar advertisements. The virtual layer enables placement of third party graphical content on any site. These ads often conceal underlying content of visited websites, thereby significantly diminishing the Internet browsing experience.
In addition, some lead to malicious websites containing infectious content. Clicking them risks further adware or malware infections.
Be aware that users' Internet browsing activity is continually monitored, since ArcadeSwim gathers Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, search queries entered into search engines, website URLs visited, pages viewed, and other similar information that might be personally identifiable.
The data is shared with third parties who misuse private information to generate revenue. This behavior can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. Therefore, you are strongly advised to eliminate ArcadeSwim adware immediately.
There are dozens of potentially unwanted programs identical to ArcadeSwim including ArcadeBunny, GamesLava, and SultanArcade - these are just some examples from many. Note that all of these apps offer identical functionality, and yet, none provide any real value.
Adware such as ArcadeSwim is designed only to generate revenue for the developers. Rather than providing any real value for regular users, these apps collect personally identifiable information (which is later sold to third parties) and deliver intrusive online advertisements (via the "Pay Per Click" advertising model).
How did ArcadeSwim install on my computer?
Research shows that, although ArcadeSwim has an official download website, many users install this PUP inadvertently without their consent, since they rush the download/installation processes and skip most steps.
Aware of this, developers employ a deceptive software marketing method called "bundling" - stealth installation of third party software with regular (usually free) applications.
Developers hide bundled programs within the "Custom/Advanced" settings. Thus, skipping this section often leads to inadvertent installation of rogue applications. Be aware that developers' revenue is dependent on the number of distributed PUPs and, therefore, they never properly disclose these installations.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Installation of potentially unwanted programs such as ArcadeSwim can be prevented by taking a number of simple steps. Firstly, be very cautious during the download/installation processes - select the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings and closely analyze each step.
Secondly, cancel all additionally-included programs and decline all offers to download/install them. It is highly probable that bundled programs will be malicious. Therefore, they should never be installed.
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Quick menu:
- What is ArcadeSwim?
- STEP 1. Uninstall ArcadeSwim application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove ArcadeSwim adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove ArcadeSwim ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by ArcadeSwim' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove ArcadeSwim extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
ArcadeSwim adware removal:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
macOS (OSX) users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window, look for "ArcadeSwim", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes ArcadeSwim ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove ArcadeSwim adware from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for "ArcadeSwim", select this entry and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the arcadeswim adware, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.
Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "ArcadeSwim", select this entry and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the arcadeswim adware, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions", in the opened window, remove "ArcadeSwim".
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with arcadeswim adware removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....
In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the arcadeswim adware, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.
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