ZanyBrainyGames Adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is ZanyBrainyGames?
According to the developers, ZanyBrainyGames provides easy access to thousands of free online games. It is promoted as a legitimate and useful application, but is categorized as an adware-type application - specifically, a potentially unwanted application (PUA). ZanyBrainyGames infiltrates systems without users' knowledge, delivers ads, and collects data.
Once ZanyBrainyGames is installed, it randomly delivers advertisements that are displayed using tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site and conceal underlying content.
These ads (coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups, and so on) might seem tempting, but once clicked, often redirect users to untrustworthy websites that might contain malicious content and infiltrate computers with high-risk computer infections.
Furthermore, PUAs generate revenue by collecting data such as IP addresses, keystrokes, search queries, geo-locations, URLs of visited websites etc., and then sharing it with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue. Some of the data might contain personal or sensitive information.
By misusing these details, third parties cause privacy/browsing safety issues or even identity theft. Therefore, we recommend that you uninstall PUAs such as ZanyBrainyGames immediately.
| Name | Ads by Zany Brainy Games |
| Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
| Symptoms | Seeing advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing. Intrusive pop-up ads. Decreased Internet browsing speed. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers. |
| Damage | Decreased computer performance, browser tracking - privacy issues, possible additional malware infections. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
ZanyBrainyGames is similar or identical to many other adware-type websites such as ArcadeFunNetwork, BrainyZanyGames, TonOfFunGames, etc. These potentially unwanted applications are promoted as applications with useful/useful features, however, most are designed only to generate revenue and few provide the functionality promised or give any other value.
How did ZanyBrainyGames install on my computer?
Many potentially unwanted applications can be downloaded from their official websites, however, as mentioned above, they are often installed unintentionally. Most users install them through intrusive ads or when software developers use the "bundling" method. Bundled apps (in this case, PUAs) are distributed together with other software.
As a rule, developers do not disclose information regarding bundled apps properly and hide them in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings of the installation processes. Therefore, skipping installation dialog steps or clicking ads installs your chosen software, but with PUAs also included.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Do not download software using third party downloaders, torrent clients, or other similar programs. Use official, trustworthy sources, and direct links only. Install software carefully, check "Custom", "Advanced" (and other similar) settings. Opt-out of unwanted applications (such as PUAs) and only then proceed to the next step or complete entire installation process.
Be cautious when browsing the web, especially when clicking intrusive advertisements. Some ads redirect to untrustworthy websites such as gambling, pornography, adult dating, and so on.
If you encounter these advertisements or redirects, check the list of installed applications (extensions, plug-ins, and add-ons) on your browser and remove any unknown/unwanted entries immediately. If your computer is already infected with ZanyBrainyGames, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.
Screenshot of a website promoting ZanyBrainyGames adware:
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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Quick menu:
- What is ZanyBrainyGames?
- STEP 1. Uninstall ZanyBrainyGames application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove ZanyBrainyGames adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove ZanyBrainyGames ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by ZanyBrainyGames' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove ZanyBrainyGames extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
ZanyBrainyGames 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 "ZanyBrainyGames", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application that causes ZanyBrainyGames ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove ZanyBrainyGames 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 "ZanyBrainyGames", select this entry and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by zany brainy games, 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 "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "ZanyBrainyGames", select this entry and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by zany brainy games, 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 "ZanyBrainyGames".
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ads by zany brainy games 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 ads by zany brainy games, 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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Outstanding!
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