Remove ArcadeCenter Search Redirect

Can’t Remove ArcadeCenter Search hijacker virus? This page includes detailed ArcadeCenter Search Removal instructions!

The appearance of ArcadeCenter Search is bad news. This application is classified as a browser hijacker. It enters your computer unnoticed and takes over all installed web browsers. It is programmed to bombard its users with numerous commercials. The ArcadeCenter Search hijacker blocks its competitors’ adverts and replaces them with its own. Additionally, it injects extra ad banners and in-text advertisements on every website you open. But the hijacker doesn’t stop just here. It will also redirect your web browser directly to the sponsored pages. On top of all this, the furtive app will open pop-up windows and messages right when you least expect it. You will hate every second of the experience. Soon, you will notice that you are not exposed to just any type of advertisements. Every ad displayed by the hijacker was chosen especially for you. Yes, this is quite possible. The ArcadeCenter Search utility monitors your web traffic and uses the collected data to select the most appealing commercials for you. Thus, if you enter “sneakers” into some search engine, the hijacker will start to display offers and discounts for sports shoes. As good as this may sound, the hijacker should not be allowed to do this. It may record some personally identifiable information. And this data will not be used for marketing purposes only. The hijacker will sell every bit of information to third parties. Keeping the ArcadeCenter Search hijacker on board is definitely not worth the risk. Download a trustworthy anti-virus app or track the malware down by yourself. You have options. The sooner you clean your machine, the better!

How did I get infected with?

The ArcadeCenter Search hijacker did not materialize by magic. This furtive program was cleverly distributed to your computer. What the crooks do is to attach their malicious app as an extra to the installation files of other programs. Files that install more than one application are called software bundles. Be careful when you install such bundles. Always opt for the Advanced option in the Setup Wizard. It can be a button or tab. Use it! Only under the Advanced installation can you see a list of all programs that are about to be installed. Carefully examine the list. Read the terms and conditions and do some online research. If you spot anything out of the ordinary, abort the installation immediately. Other malware distribution methods include torrents, spam emails, and fake software updates. Your caution can prevent these techniques from succeeding. Download your software from reliable sources only and delete all suspicious emails. Even a little extra caution is better than not. Always take your time to make sure you know what you are approving on your PC.

Why is this dangerous?

The ArcadeCenter Search hijacker is a menace. It enters your machine uninvited and wreaks havoc on it. The furtive app bombards its victims with numerous commercials. Unfortunately, the hijacker doesn’t check what is being promoted or who the advertiser is. Hackers and people with questionable interest often take advantage of the situation. They use such applications to spread corrupted adverts. One click is all it takes for a virus to be downloaded. There is no way to tell which adverts are corrupted, though. You cannot avoid the commercials either. The hijacker is programmed to generate clicks. The app will trick you into clicking on advertisements unintentionally. It will open pop-ups right under the cursor of your mouse. It will also corrupt the search results you are provided with. The ArcadeCenter Search hijacker injects advertisements among all search results you are provided with. It doesn’t matter which search engine you use, the hijacker can manipulate the results. The fake entries are usually advertisements. However, they are not marked as such. Dodgy websites pay hefty sums for their links to be displayed at the top. The ArcadeCenter Search hijacker is turning you into an easy target. This furtive app has no place on your machine. Do not hesitate to remove it.

How to Remove ArcadeCenter Search virus

The ArcadeCenter Search infection is specifically designed to make money to its creators one way or another. The specialists from various antivirus companies like Bitdefender, Kaspersky, Norton, Avast, ESET, etc. advise that there is no harmless virus.

If you perform exactly the steps below you should be able to remove the ArcadeCenter Search infection. Please, follow the procedures in the exact order. Please, consider to print this guide or have another computer at your disposal. You will NOT need any USB sticks or CDs.

STEP 1: Track down ArcadeCenter Search related processes in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate ArcadeCenter Search startup location

STEP 3: Delete ArcadeCenter Search traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

STEP 1: Track down ArcadeCenter Search related processes in the computer memory

• Open your Task Manager by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ESC keys simultaneously
• Carefully review all processes and stop the suspicious ones.

• Write down the file location for later reference.

Step 2: Locate ArcadeCenter Search startup location

Reveal Hidden Files

• Open any folder
• Click on “Organize” button
  
• Choose “Folder and Search Options”
• Select the “View” tab
• Select “Show hidden files and folders” option
• Uncheck “Hide protected operating system files”
• Click “Apply” and “OK” button

Clean ArcadeCenter Search virus from the windows registry

• Once the operating system loads press simultaneously the Windows Logo Button and the R key.

• A dialog box should open. Type “Regedit”

• WARNING! be very careful when editing the Microsoft Windows Registry as this may render the system broken.

Depending on your OS (x86 or x64) navigate to:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]

• and delete the display Name: [RANDOM]

• Then open your explorer and navigate to: %appdata% folder and delete the malicious executable.

Clean your HOSTS file to avoid unwanted browser redirection

Navigate to %windir%/system32/Drivers/etc/host

If you are hacked, there will be foreign IPs addresses connected to you at the bottom. Take a look below:

STEP 3 : Clean ArcadeCenter Search traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

• Open Google Chrome

• In the Main Menu, select Tools then Extensions
• Remove the ArcadeCenter Search by clicking on the little recycle bin
• Reset Google Chrome by Deleting the current user to make sure nothing is left behind

• Open Mozilla Firefox

• Press simultaneously Ctrl+Shift+A
• Disable the unwanted Extension
• Go to Help
• Then Troubleshoot information
• Click on Reset Firefox

• Open Internet Explorer

• On the Upper Right Corner Click on the Gear Icon
• Click on Internet options
• go to Toolbars and Extensions and disable the unknown extensions
• Select the Advanced tab and click on Reset

• Restart Internet Explorer

Step 4: Undo the damage done by ArcadeCenter Search

This particular Virus may alter your DNS settings.

Attention! this can break your internet connection. Before you change your DNS settings to use Google Public DNS for ArcadeCenter Search, be sure to write down the current server addresses on a piece of paper.

To fix the damage done by the virus you need to do the following.

• Click the Windows Start button to open the Start Menu, type control panel in the search box and select Control Panel in the results displayed above.
• go to Network and Internet
• then Network and Sharing Center
• then Change Adapter Settings
• Right-click on your active internet connection and click properties. Under the Networking tab, find Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). Left click on it and then click on properties. Both options should be automatic! By default it should be set to “Obtain an IP address automatically” and the second one to “Obtain DNS server address automatically!” If they are not just change them, however if you are part of a domain network you should contact your Domain Administrator to set these settings, otherwise the internet connection will break!!!

You must clean all your browser shortcuts as well. To do that you need to

• Right click on the shortcut of your favorite browser and then select properties.

• in the target field remove ArcadeCenter Search argument and then apply the changes.
• Repeat that with the shortcuts of your other browsers.
• Check your scheduled tasks to make sure the virus will not download itself again.

How to Permanently Remove ArcadeCenter Search Virus (automatic) Removal Guide

Please, have in mind that once you are infected with a single virus, it compromises your whole system or network and let all doors wide open for many other infections. To make sure manual removal is successful, we recommend to use a free scanner of any professional antimalware program to identify possible registry leftovers or temporary files.