What is ArcadeTwist?
The Malwarebytes research team has determined that ArcadeTwist is a browser hijacker. These so-called "hijackers" manipulate your browser(s), for example to change your startpage or searchscopes, so that the affected browser visits their site or one of their choice. This one also displays advertisements.
How do I know if my computer is affected by ArcadeTwist?
You may see this entry in your list of installed software:
and these browser extensions/add-ons:
and this warning during install:
How did ArcadeTwist get on my computer?
Browser hijackers use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was bundled with other software.
How do I remove ArcadeTwist?
Our program Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can detect and remove this potentially unwanted program.
- Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to your desktop.
- Double-click mbam-setup-version.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
- At the end, be sure a check-mark is placed next to the following:
- Enable free trial of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Premium
- Launch Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
- Then click Finish.
- If an update is found, you will be prompted to download and install the latest version.
- Once the program has loaded, select Scan now. Or select the Threat Scan from the Scan menu.
- When the scan is complete , make sure that everything is set to "Quarantine", and click Apply Actions.
- Reboot your computer if prompted.
- No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes ArcadeTwist completely.
We hope our application and this guide have helped you eradicate this hijacker.
As you can see below the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware would have protected you against the ArcadeTwist hijacker. It would have warned you before the rogue could install itself, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.
Technical details for experts
Signs in a HijackThis log:
O2 - BHO: ArcadeTwist Gaming - {07DE9DE3-477C-4E49-B7CD-A8ABAC6566CB} - C:\Program Files\ArcadeTwist\arcadetwist.dllPossible signs in a FRST log:
BHO: ArcadeTwist Gaming -> {07DE9DE3-477C-4E49-B7CD-A8ABAC6566CB} -> C:\Program Files\ArcadeTwist\arcadetwist.dll [2015-03-04] () FF HKCU\...\Firefox\Extensions: [{81a9e7a1-5cda-462d-bd06-d4450c6d9077}] - C:\Program Files\ArcadeTwist\arcadetwist.xpi FF Extension: ArcadeTwist Gaming - C:\Program Files\ArcadeTwist\arcadetwist.xpi [2015-03-04]Alterations made by the installer:
File system details --------------------------------------------- Adds the folder C:\Program Files\ArcadeTwist Adds the file arcadetwist.dll"="3/4/2015 12:12 PM, 99328 bytes, A Adds the file arcadetwist.xpi"="3/4/2015 12:12 PM, 2002 bytes, A Adds the file icons.ico"="3/4/2015 12:06 PM, 4286 bytes, A Adds the file uninstall.exe"="3/21/2015 12:50 PM, 43503 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\ArcadeTwist Adds the file Play ArcadeTwist.lnk"="3/21/2015 12:50 PM, 1134 bytes, A Adds the file Uninstall ArcadeTwist.lnk"="3/21/2015 12:50 PM, 1013 bytes, A Registry details ------------------------------------------ [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{07DE9DE3-477C-4E49-B7CD-A8ABAC6566CB}] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "ArcadeTwist Gaming" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{07DE9DE3-477C-4E49-B7CD-A8ABAC6566CB}\Implemented Categories] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{07DE9DE3-477C-4E49-B7CD-A8ABAC6566CB}\Implemented Categories\{59fb2056-d625-48d0-a944-1a85b5ab2640}] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{07DE9DE3-477C-4E49-B7CD-A8ABAC6566CB}\InProcServer32] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files\ArcadeTwist\arcadetwist.dll" "ThreadingModel"="REG_SZ", "Apartment" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects\{07DE9DE3-477C-4E49-B7CD-A8ABAC6566CB}] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "ArcadeTwist Gaming" "NoExplorer"="REG_DWORD", 1 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\ArcadeTwist] "DisplayIcon"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files\ArcadeTwist\uninstall.exe"" "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "ArcadeTwist" "DisplayVersion"="REG_SZ", "1.3.0" "HelpLink"="REG_SZ", "http://www.arcadetwist.com" "SupportLink"="REG_SZ", "http://www.arcadetwist.com" "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files\ArcadeTwist\uninstall.exe"" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Approved Extensions] "{07DE9DE3-477C-4E49-B7CD-A8ABAC6566CB}"="REG_BINARY, ............ [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Settings\{07DE9DE3-477C-4E49-B7CD-A8ABAC6566CB}] "Flags"="REG_DWORD", 1024 "VerCache"="REG_BINARY, ...................... [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Mozilla\Firefox\EXTENSIONS] "{81a9e7a1-5cda-462d-bd06-d4450c6d9077}"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files\ArcadeTwist\arcadetwist.xpi"Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware www.malwarebytes.org Scan Date: 3/21/2015 Scan Time: 12:59:51 PM Logfile: mbamArcadeTwister.txt Administrator: Yes Version: 2.01.0.1004 Malware Database: v2015.03.21.04 Rootkit Database: v2015.02.25.01 License: Free Malware Protection: Disabled Malicious Website Protection: Disabled Self-protection: Disabled OS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1 CPU: x86 File System: NTFS User: Malwarebytes Scan Type: Threat Scan Result: Completed Objects Scanned: 295338 Time Elapsed: 4 min, 17 sec Memory: Enabled Startup: Enabled Filesystem: Enabled Archives: Enabled Rootkits: Disabled Heuristics: Enabled PUP: Enabled PUM: Enabled Processes: 0 (No malicious items detected) Modules: 0 (No malicious items detected) Registry Keys: 6 PUP.Optional.ArcadeTwist.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\CLSID\{07DE9DE3-477C-4E49-B7CD-A8ABAC6566CB}, Quarantined, [ee3a3117672379bde8ac24c00302a45c], PUP.Optional.ArcadeTwist.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\EXPLORER\BROWSER HELPER OBJECTS\{07DE9DE3-477C-4E49-B7CD-A8ABAC6566CB}, Quarantined, [ee3a3117672379bde8ac24c00302a45c], PUP.Optional.ArcadeTwist.A, HKCU\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\EXT\SETTINGS\{07DE9DE3-477C-4E49-B7CD-A8ABAC6566CB}, Quarantined, [ee3a3117672379bde8ac24c00302a45c], PUP.Optional.ArcadeTwist.A, HKCU\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\EXT\STATS\{07DE9DE3-477C-4E49-B7CD-A8ABAC6566CB}, Quarantined, [ee3a3117672379bde8ac24c00302a45c], PUP.Optional.ArcadeTwist.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\CLSID\{07DE9DE3-477C-4E49-B7CD-A8ABAC6566CB}\INPROCSERVER32, Quarantined, [ee3a3117672379bde8ac24c00302a45c], PUP.Optional.ArcadeTwist.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\ArcadeTwist, Quarantined, [a187f5534f3bf640aeb5555954afec14], Registry Values: 1 PUP.Optional.AracadeTwist.A, HKCU\SOFTWARE\MOZILLA\FIREFOX\EXTENSIONS|{81a9e7a1-5cda-462d-bd06-d4450c6d9077}, C:\Program Files\ArcadeTwist\arcadetwist.xpi, Quarantined, [ce5afe4a96f4ae887e80fab449ba2cd4] Registry Data: 0 (No malicious items detected) Folders: 1 PUP.Optional.ArcadeTwist.A, C:\Program Files\ArcadeTwist, Quarantined, [a187f5534f3bf640aeb5555954afec14], Files: 5 PUP.Optional.ArcadeTwist.A, C:\Program Files\ArcadeTwist\arcadetwist.dll, Quarantined, [ee3a3117672379bde8ac24c00302a45c], PUP.Optional.ArcadeTwist.A, C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\SetupArcadeTwist.exe, Quarantined, [0e1a7ccc6d1d5ed86f250ed6a95c35cb], PUP.Optional.ArcadeTwist.A, C:\Program Files\ArcadeTwist\arcadetwist.xpi, Quarantined, [a187f5534f3bf640aeb5555954afec14], PUP.Optional.ArcadeTwist.A, C:\Program Files\ArcadeTwist\icons.ico, Quarantined, [a187f5534f3bf640aeb5555954afec14], PUP.Optional.ArcadeTwist.A, C:\Program Files\ArcadeTwist\uninstall.exe, Quarantined, [a187f5534f3bf640aeb5555954afec14], Physical Sectors: 0 (No malicious items detected) (end)As mentioned before the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware could have protected your computer against this threat.
We use different ways of protecting your computer(s):
- Dynamically Blocks Malware Sites & Servers
- Malware Execution Prevention