ArcadeYum Adware

What is ArcadeYum?

The ArcadeYum website contains hundreds of addictive Flash games - "ArcadeYum is an exciting gaming portal that offers thousands of free games. ArcadeYum does not require registration and never requires a credit card or any payment from our players." 

Although these games are free, to access the 'Premium' section, users must install the official ArcadeYum application. At first glance, this app may seem legitimate, however, it is categorized as adware and a potentially unwanted program (PUP).

ArcadeYum occasionally installs on computers without users' permission, which is one of the reasons for these negative associations. Furthermore, following infiltration on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, ArcadeYum tracks Internet browsing activity and displays intrusive online advertisements.

This app employs a virtual layer to display shopping, popup/under, interstitial, in-text, and other similar ads, which do not originate from the visited website. Note that some of these ads are opened in new browser tabs/windows, thereby increasing the chance of accidental user clicks.

The displayed ads might seem harmless, since most redirect to various e-commerce websites such as online stores. Others, however, may redirect to bogus websites containing infectious content, subsequently causing high-risk computer infections.

In addition, this app tracks Internet browsing activity and collects information that is (according to ArcadeYum Privacy Policy) not personally identifiable.

This statement is false, since Internet Protocol (IP) addresses (to determine geographic locations), websites visited, pages viewed, search queries, operating system/browser types, and other gathered details might indeed contain personally identifiable details.

Data collected by information tracking is later shared with third parties and can be misused to generate revenue. This situation may lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. You are strongly advised to uninstall ArcadeYum from your system immediately.

ArcadeYum Privacy Policy statement towards information sharing:

We do not share, sell or trade any of your PII with any third parties other than described herein. We may share your PII with our parent company and its principals, employees, consultants, officers, directors, members, agents, subsidiaries, or affiliates (collectively "Related Companies"). Neither we nor our Related Companies contribute to or participate in cooperative databases, which give other companies access to your PII.

There are hundreds of PUPs similar or identical to ArcadeYum including, for example, ArcadeTwist, BestArcadeHits, PlayFizz, and PlayTopus. Adware-type apps such as ArcadeYum are designed to offer many varied features supposedly to improve the Internet browsing experience.

These false claims are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimate software. The purpose of ArcadeYum, however, is to generate revenue by displaying intrusive online advertisements and collecting personally identifiable data, rather than providing any real value for the user.

How did ArcadeYum install on my computer?

Although ArcadeYum is available for download on its official website, it is often distributed as a 'bundle' with other software. The bundling method is used to stealthily install additional programs together with the chosen software. Many users rush the download/installation procedures, skipping most steps, and therefore, this method is very effective.

Bogus apps such as ArcadeYum are often concealed within the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings, and thus, skipping this section exposes the system to risk of infection. There is no reason for the developers to properly disclose installation of adware, since they are only concerned with the amount of revenue generated, which is dependent on the number of apps distributed.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Closely analyze each step of the free software download procedure and ensure that only the selected app is downloaded. Furthermore, downloaded apps should be installed with the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' options - this will reveal any third party software listed for installation and allow you to cancel it.

ArcadeYum adware installer set-up:

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Quick menu:

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

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

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

Remove ArcadeYum 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 "ArcadeYum", select this entry and click "Remove".

Optional method:

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

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the arcadeyum ads, 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 "ArcadeYum Addon 1.0.0".

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with arcadeyum ads 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 arcadeyum ads, 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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