This article will help you remove ZanyBrainyGames.com effectively. Follow the removal instructions for the adware at the end.
ZanyBrainyGames.com is an online gaming platform. Flash games are its primary content. Every game hosted on the website runs on Adobe’s Flash Player but some run on HTML5 or do not load at all. The website could have injected malicious of potentially unwanted software on your computer system. ZanyBrainyGames.com is considered adware because of the advertisements it is pushing.
Threat Summary
| Name | ZanyBrainyGames.com |
| Type | Adware, PUP |
| Short Description | Advertisements generated from this platform can show up on other sites and redirect you. |
| Symptoms | You see advertisements in your browsers, like pop-ups or in-game ads. You can get redirected from games, ads and links on the website. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages |
| Detection Tool |
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss ZanyBrainyGames.com. |
ZanyBrainyGames.com – Distribution Ways
ZanyBrainyGames.com might distribute via a third-party installation setup. Applications tied to ZanyBrainyGames.com can intrude your computer device, without your knowledge of it. Bundled packages and freeware setups can distribute this adware to your personal computer. Installer setups such as those might be set by default to place additive components. To prevent installations of such unwanted software programs, you have to search for the Custom or Advanced options. From them, you should be able to deselect unneeded content.
ZanyBrainyGames.com could distribute itself by using similar website which are hosting its ads. Websites like these usually have nearly the same gaming content and can have redirecting links. Clicking on a redirect link or an ad can land the adware onto your computer. In addition, banners, pop-ups as well as more types of adverts could be put on the Internet to popularize the gaming platform. Those types of ads might redirect to the adware’s main domain. All browsers which could be affected are: Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer and Safari.
ZanyBrainyGames.com – Detailed Information
ZanyBrainyGames.com is the primary URL for this gaming website that bears the name of its related platform ZanyBrainyGames.com. The website looks pretty similar to other gaming sites of the same caliber, at least on first glance. Later, it becomes apparent what the site is about after you witness the advertising content. When the adverts start showing your computer machine or internet connection can potentially slow down. The website, along with its platform and every application associated with them, will generate heaps of advertisements.
ZanyBrainyGames.com generates advertisements such as pop-up boxes, banners but the interstitial ads and ones showing up after trying to launch a game often appear, too. Each game on this website for being able to run, uses the Adobe Flash Player, although a small portion of games use the HTML5 format. An issue that can occur is if a Flash Player game requires an older version of it to launch. In the worst case, there could be an active vulnerability waiting to be exploited, which can cause a bigger malware infection. Interstitial and in-game ads show when you try to launch a game.
You can see main page of the ZanyBrainyGames.com site right down here:
If your browser programs and your computer system have any application associated with the adware platform, you might witness lots of sponsored content, targeted advertisements, and redirect links which are placed all over the website.
Advertisements could have one of the following texts inside:
- Advert from ZanyBrainyGames.com
- Powered by ZanyBrainyGames.com
- Ad by ZanyBrainyGames.com
- Ads by ZanyBrainyGames.com
- Advertisement by ZanyBrainyGames.com
- Brought to you by ZanyBrainyGames.com
The ZanyBrainyGames.com website might spread links which can redirect you to suspicious websites to generate traffic. That traffic can be turned into revenue with a pay-per-click scheme.
Lots of the advertisements on the website could be tied with affiliates or partners of the game platform. The adverts, plus any sponsored content can collect information about you and your browsing habits. The advertisements of ZanyBrainyGames.com can be in the form of banners, pop-ups, pop-unders, in-game ads, plus in-text links, transitional, and interstitial ads.
ZanyBrainyGames.com – Privacy Policy
The Privacy Policy of the ZanyBrainyGames.com site can be accessed from the bottom of the main site page. You can view a screenshot of that policy under this paragraph. In the policy, it is stated that the ZanyBrainyGames.com related gaming site collects information about you and your browsing activities. Advertisements from third parties are also said to be able to obtain some information. The gaming platform collects both personally and non-personally identifying information.
The following information might be collected from you:
- Your IP address
- Cookie data
- Usage Data
- Device ID
- Operating System
- Browser type
- Network type
- Other information, that you yourself provide
Other types of information could also get collected. They can be obtained by and for third parties, especially advertisers and track signals and Web Beacons can be used in the obtainment process.
If you do not like how your privacy is invaded and have a program related to the ZanyBrainyGames.com service on your computer system that keeps spewing ads, then you should remove the adware and everything related to it.
Cookies and more tracking technologies, like Web beacons, for instance, are used by ZanyBrainyGames.com to gain additional data from you. If you do not approve the invasion of your privacy and have a program related to the website on your computer, then you should remove this adware and its files.
Remove ZanyBrainyGames.com Completely
To remove ZanyBrainyGames.com manually from your computer, follow the step-by-step instructions manual provided down here. If the manual removal does not get rid of the ads, platform and gaming website from reappearing, you should search for and remove any leftovers with an advanced anti-malware tool. Such a program can keep your computer secure in the future.
Tsetso Mihailov
Tsetso Mihailov is a tech-geek and loves everything that is tech-related, while observing the latest news surrounding technologies. He has worked in IT before, as a system administrator and a computer repair technician. Dealing with malware since his teens, he is determined to spread word about the latest threats revolving around computer security.
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How to Remove ZanyBrainyGames.com from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for ZanyBrainyGames.com with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall ZanyBrainyGames.com and related software from Windows
Uninstall Steps for Windows 11
Uninstall Steps for Windows 10 and Older Versions
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 4: Clean Any registries, Created by ZanyBrainyGames.com on Your PC.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by ZanyBrainyGames.com there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
Video Removal Guide for ZanyBrainyGames.com (Windows).
Get rid of ZanyBrainyGames.com from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall ZanyBrainyGames.com and remove related files and objects
Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to ZanyBrainyGames.com. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove ZanyBrainyGames.com via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 2: Scan for and remove ZanyBrainyGames.com files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as ZanyBrainyGames.com, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Video Removal Guide for ZanyBrainyGames.com (Mac)
Remove ZanyBrainyGames.com from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Erase ZanyBrainyGames.com from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window:
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Uninstall ZanyBrainyGames.com from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Remove ZanyBrainyGames.com from Safari
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the ZanyBrainyGames.com will be removed.
Eliminate ZanyBrainyGames.com from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.
Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.
Remove Push Notifications from Your Browsers
Turn Off Push Notifications from Google Chrome
To disable any Push Notices from Google Chrome browser, please follow the steps below:
Step 1: Go to Settings in Chrome.
Step 2: In Settings, select “Advanced Settings”:
Step 3: Click “Content Settings”:
Step 4: Open “Notifications”:
Step 5: Click the three dots and choose Block, Edit or Remove options:
Remove Push Notifications on Firefox
Step 1: Go to Firefox Options.
Step 2: Go to “Settings”, type “notifications” in the search bar and click "Settings":
Step 3: Click “Remove” on any site you wish notifications gone and click “Save Changes”
Stop Push Notifications on Opera
Step 1: In Opera, press ALT+P to go to Settings.
Step 2: In Setting search, type “Content” to go to Content Settings.
Step 3: Open Notifications:
Step 4: Do the same as you did with Google Chrome (explained below):
Eliminate Push Notifications on Safari
Step 1: Open Safari Preferences.
Step 2: Choose the domain from where you like push pop-ups gone and change to "Deny" from "Allow".
ZanyBrainyGames.com-FAQ
What Is ZanyBrainyGames.com?
The ZanyBrainyGames.com threat is adware or browser redirect virus.
It may slow your computer down significantly and display advertisements. The main idea is for your information to likely get stolen or more ads to appear on your device.
The creators of such unwanted apps work with pay-per-click schemes to get your computer to visit risky or different types of websites that may generate them funds. This is why they do not even care what types of websites show up on the ads. This makes their unwanted software indirectly risky for your OS.
What Are the Symptoms of ZanyBrainyGames.com?
There are several symptoms to look for when this particular threat and also unwanted apps in general are active:
Symptom #1: Your computer may become slow and have poor performance in general.
Symptom #2: You have toolbars, add-ons or extensions on your web browsers that you don't remember adding.
Symptom #3: You see all types of ads, like ad-supported search results, pop-ups and redirects to randomly appear.
Symptom #4: You see installed apps on your Mac running automatically and you do not remember installing them.
Symptom #5: You see suspicious processes running in your Task Manager.
If you see one or more of those symptoms, then security experts recommend that you check your computer for viruses.
What Types of Unwanted Programs Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the threats that can currently affect your device can be rogue antivirus software, adware, browser hijackers, clickers, fake optimizers and any forms of PUPs.
What to Do If I Have a "virus" like ZanyBrainyGames.com?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your email passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activities with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these recommendations, your network and all devices will become significantly more secure against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
How Does ZanyBrainyGames.com Work?
Once installed, ZanyBrainyGames.com can collect data using trackers. This data is about your web browsing habits, such as the websites you visit and the search terms you use. It is then used to target you with ads or to sell your information to third parties.
ZanyBrainyGames.com can also download other malicious software onto your computer, such as viruses and spyware, which can be used to steal your personal information and show risky ads, that may redirect to virus sites or scams.
Is ZanyBrainyGames.com Malware?
The truth is that PUPs (adware, browser hijackers) are not viruses, but may be just as dangerous since they may show you and redirect you to malware websites and scam pages.
Many security experts classify potentially unwanted programs as malware. This is because of the unwanted effects that PUPs can cause, such as displaying intrusive ads and collecting user data without the user’s knowledge or consent.
About the ZanyBrainyGames.com Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this ZanyBrainyGames.com how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific, adware-related problem, and restore your browser and computer system.
How did we conduct the research on ZanyBrainyGames.com?
Please note that our research is based on independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware, adware, and browser hijacker definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the ZanyBrainyGames.com threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.