Ads by GreatArcadeHits

What is GreatArcadeHits?

Developed by ArcadeYum LLC, GreatArcadeHits is a rogue browser plug-in claiming to allow users to download and play various Flash games. This functionality may seem legitimate and useful, however, GreatArcadeHits is categorized as adware or a potentially unwanted program (PUP).

These associations are made due to a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' employed by GreatArcadeHits to install on Internet browsers without users' permission.

Bundling is a way to stealthily distribute applications together with other software, and therefore, most users inadvertently install GreatArcadeHits when downloading free software from freeware download websites. After successful infiltration, GreatArcadeHits generates intrusive online advertisements and tracks users' Internet browsing activity.

Clicking generated advertisements (such as banner, text-link, pop-up/under, shopping, transitional, etc.) may lead to high-risk adware or malware infections. Furthermore, this PUP collects various software and hardware information that may be personally identifiable.

For example: Internet service providers, IP addresses, geo-locations, operating systems, browser types and data (website URLs visited, pages viewed, cookies, search queries, etc.), and so on. This information tracking may result in serious privacy issues or identity theft.

There are many applications similar to GreatArcadeHits. Some examples include ArcadeParlor, Astro Arcade, GameHug, and ArcadeGiant.

Neither GreatArcadeHits, nor any of these other applications, provide any significant value to the user - they are developed to generate revenue by the display of intrusive online ads and sharing collected data with third parties. Therefore, you are strongly advised to uninstall GreatArcadeHits from your Internet browsers.

Today, most popular freeware download websites such as softonic.com, soft32.com, and download.com employ small programs called 'download managers' to monetize their free services and traffic by offering installation of additional programs together with the chosen free software.

Although the developers state that these advertised applications are '100% legitimate and virus-free', careless download and installation of freeware commonly results in adware or malware infections. To avoid installation of GreatArcadeHits, closely follow each step of the free software download procedure and click 'Decline' if installation of any additional programs is offered.

Furthermore, software downloaded from the Internet should be installed using the 'Advanced' or 'Custom' installation options, rather than 'Quick' or 'Typical' - this will reveal any hidden applications listed for installation and allow you to opt-out.

If you have installed GreatArcadeHits, and you observe intrusive online advertisements when browsing the Internet, follow the instructions below to eliminate this PUP from your Internet browsers.

Intrusive online advertisements generated by GreatArcadeHits ('Special Deals by GreatArcadeHits'):

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Quick menu:

• What is GreatArcadeHits?
• STEP 1. Uninstall GreatArcadeHits application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove GreatArcadeHits adware from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove GreatArcadeHits ads from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by GreatArcadeHits' from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove GreatArcadeHits redirect from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

GreatArcadeHits 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 "GreatArcadeHits", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes GreatArcadeHits ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove GreatArcadeHits 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 "GreatArcadeHits Add-on", select this entry and click "Remove".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the greatarcadehits 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 "GreatArcadeHits", select this entry and click the trash can icon.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the greatarcadehits 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 plugins 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 "GreatArcadeHits Add-on".

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with greatarcadehits 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 greatarcadehits 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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