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BrainyZanyGames Adware

Also Known As: Ads by Brainy Zany Games
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What is BrainyZanyGames?

The BrainyZanyGames application supposedly provides users with access to thousands of games directly from their web browsers, thus allowing them to play games online, free of charge.

This may seem like a good deal, but BrainyZanyGames is typically installed unintentionally and categorized as a potentially unwanted application (PUA) - to be precise, an adware-type application. These apps usually deliver intrusive advertisements and gather data.

BrainyZanyGames adware

After installation, BrainyZanyGames starts to collect various data, such as geo-locations, IP addresses, keystrokes, search queries, URLs of visited websites, and so on. Personal or sensitive data might also be collected together with these other details. PUA developers use this data to generate revenue by sharing it with third parties (potentially cyber criminals).

Information tracking can cause privacy or browsing safety problems. It is possible that BrainyZanyGames users might even end up having their identities stolen.

As this is an adware-type app, it deploys advertisements (coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups, etc.) that are often displayed using tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site and conceal underlying content.

These ads are annoying and, once clicked, can lead to potentially malicious websites that cause high-risk computer infections. For these reasons, we recommend that you uninstall PUAs such as BrainyZanyGames immediately.

Threat Summary:
Name Ads by Brainy Zany Games
Threat Type Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus
Symptoms Seeing advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing. Intrusive pop-up ads. Decreased Internet browsing speed.
Distribution methods Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers.
Damage Decreased computer performance, browser tracking - privacy issues, possible additional malware infections.
Malware Removal (Windows)

To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner.
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The Internet is full of potentially unwanted applications such as BrainyZanyGames. Examples of other apps that are similar or identical are Search Monkeys, DPower, and ArcadeFunNetwork. Most PUAs serve just one purpose: to generate revenue for their developers by collecting information and deploying ads.

Promises to provide 'useful features' are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy so that it is easier to trick users into downloading them. Few PUAs (including BrainyZanyGames) provide any real value - they are more likely to cause problems.

How did BrainyZanyGames install on my computer?

Like many other PUAs, BrainyZanyGames can be downloaded from its official website, however, it is more commonly installed unintentionally. These installations occur when users install third party software with additional apps bundled with them.

Bundling is a deceptive marketing method used to stealthily trick users into installing PUAs by hiding them in "Custom", "Advanced", and other similar options or settings of the installation processes.

In summary, software developers do not disclose information regarding the presence of bundled applications, and skipping installation steps is the most common reason for these inadvertent installations.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

To avoid installation of PUAs such as BrainyZanyGames, download software using trustworthy, official websites or other sources, and direct links. Avoid using torrents, third party software downloaders, and installers. These are usually monetized by promoting PUAs via the bundling method. Do not rush installations and check all available options/settings.

See "Custom", "Advanced" and other options/settings, deselect unwanted applications and other 'extras', and only then finish the installation. Be careful when visiting untrustworthy websites, especially when ads are displayed on them. These often redirect users to other untrustworthy websites (for example gambling, adult dating, pornography, and so on).

If an intrusive ad directed you to an untrustworthy or dubious website, close it and check the list of installed applications (extensions, add-ons, and plug-ins) on your browser.

Remove any unwanted/unknown applications immediately. If your computer is already infected with BrainyZanyGames, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.

Website promoting BrainyZanyGames adware:

promoting BrainyZanyGames

Instant automatic malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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Quick menu:

BrainyZanyGames adware removal:

Windows 11 users:

Accessing Apps and Features in Windows 11

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:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 8

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:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 7

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:

Uninstall app in OSX (Mac)

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.

BrainyZanyGames adware uninstall via Control Panel

In the uninstall programs window, look for "BrainyZanyGames", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

Remove BrainyZanyGames adware from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:

Internet Explorer logoRemove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Removing BrainyZanyGames ads from Internet Explorer step 1

Click the "gear" icon Internet Explorer options icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for "BrainyZanyGames", select this entry and click "Remove".

Removing BrainyZanyGames ads from Internet Explorer step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by brainy zany games, 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.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows XP

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.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 7

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

Reseting Internet Explorer settings to default in Windows 8 - accessing

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - Internet options advanced tab

Click the Reset button.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - click the Reset button in the Internet options advanced tab

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - confirm settings reset to default by clicking the reset button

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removing BrainyZanyGames  ads from Google Chrome step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "BrainyZanyGames", select this entry and click the trash can icon.

Removing BrainyZanyGames ads from Google Chrome step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by brainy zany games, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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.

Google Chrome settings reset step 1

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 2

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 3

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Removing BrainyZanyGames ads from Mozilla Firefox step 1

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions", in the opened window, remove "BrainyZanyGames".

Removing BrainyZanyGames ads from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with ads by brainy zany games removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, firefox menu icon in the opened menu, click Help.

Accessing settings (Reset Firefox to default settings step 1)

Select Troubleshooting Information.

Accessing Troubleshooting Information (Reset Firefox to default settings step 2)

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

Clicking on Refresh Firefox button (Reset Firefox to default settings step 3)

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Confirm your want to reset Firefox settings to default (Reset Firefox to default settings step 4)

safari browser logoRemove malicious extensions from Safari:

removing adware from safari step 1 - accessing preferences

Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....

removing adware from safari step 2 - removing extensions

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...

resetting safari step 1

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

resetting safari step 2

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) logoRemove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Removing adware from Microsoft Edge step 1

Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) 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.

Removing adware from Microsoft Edge step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by brainy zany games, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 1

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 2

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.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 3

  • If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

declining installation of adware while downloading free software sampleCommonly, 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.

Post a comment:
If you have additional information on ads by brainy zany games or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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Software uninstall instructions
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

QR Code
Ads by Brainy Zany Games QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of Ads by Brainy Zany Games on your mobile device.
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