How to uninstall Fast! program from the operating system?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
Fast! removal instructions
What is Fast!?
Fast! is the name of a program which is promoted as a tool that makes a computer to run faster by speeding up applications, improving CPU execution and lowering data transmission latency. However, developers use questionable methods for its distribution which increases the chance that users who have Fast! installed on their computers did it unknowingly. Therefore, Fast! is categorized as potentially unwanted application (PUA).
The free version of Fast! allows users to run a scan designed to evaluate computer hardware and see what it can do to make a computer to run faster. However, users of the free version cannot take any further actions to improve computer performance without having to activate this program which is not free. The problem is that quite often apps that are categorized as PUAs run fake scans and do not fix any errors, remove viruses, clean unnecessary, unwanted files, etc. It is common that they generate fake results to trick users into thinking that they could improve computer performance or do other things by paying money for software activation/registration. It is unknown whether Fast! is one of these programs, however, there is such a possibility. Furthermore, it is common that installers for PUAs are used to promote various browser hijackers, adware-type apps (and/or other apps of this kind). Browser hijackers are apps that are designed to promote fake search engines (their addresses) by changing browsers settings. Adware-type apps can be (and often) serve various ads that, when clicked, tend to open questionable pages or even cause unwanted downloads, installations by running certain scripts. It is worthwhile to mention that both adware-type apps and browser hijackers can be designed to gather browsing-related information. In some cases they can be designed to target sensitive details as well. There is always a possibility that their developers may sell collected data to third parties (potentially cyber criminals) or misuse it in other ways. Therefore, apps of this type should not be downloaded and installed.
Name | Fast! potentially unwanted appplication |
Threat Type | PUP (potentially unwanted program), PUA (potentially unwanted application) |
Supposed Functionality | Improved computer performance |
Detection Names | DrWeb (Program.Unwanted.4293), ESET-NOD32 (Win32/Adware.VeryFast.B), Malwarebytes (PUP.Optional.VeryFast), VBA (Suspected Of Trojan.Downloader.gen.s), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
Symptoms | A program that you do not recall installing suddenly appeared on your computer. A new application is performing computer scans and displays warning messages about 'found issues'. Asks for payment to eliminate the supposedly found errors. |
Distribution Methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers. |
Damage | Monetary loss (unnecessary purchase of fake software), unwanted warning pop-ups, slow computer performance. |
Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Malwarebytes. |
More examples of programs that are categorized as PUAs are PC SmartCare, PCMate Free Driver Backup and SuperEasy Registry Cleaner. There are many legitimate PUAs, although, there are many useless ones as well. The aforementioned PUAs do not function as they supposed to (as their developers promote them) and are designed only to trick users into paying money for their activation/registration. A couple of examples how users download and/or install PUAs are described in the next paragraph.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
Sometimes users cause unwanted downloads and/or installations by clicking deceptive advertisements that are designed to execute certain script. Although, in most cases they cause them by downloading and/or installing programs without checking settings of their download and/or installation setups. It is common their "Advanced", "Custom" or other settings can be used to decline offers to download and/or install unwanted apps. When users download and/or install without changing setup's settings or unticking available checkboxes, they download and/or install included apps (PUAs) too.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
If a download and/or installation setup has settings like "Custom", "Advanced", they should not be left unchecked. It is common that those settings mention offers to download and/or install additional software and can be used to decline them. Programs (and files) should be downloaded from official websites and through direct links. Third party downloaders, installers, unofficial websites, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule), and other similar channels, sources should not be used as tools to download and/or install any software. It is because they can be used as tools to distribute various unwanted applications. Intrusive ads that are displayed on questionable websites should not be clicked as well - they often are designed to open untrustworthy pages or cause download and/or installation unwanted software. Any suspicious, unwanted extensions, plug-ins and/or add-ons that are installed on a browser or programs of this kind that installed on the operating system should be removed. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Malwarebytes for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Appearance of Fast! application (GIF):
Installation setup of Fast! application:
Website promoting Fast! application:
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. Malwarebytes 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:
- What is Fast!?
- STEP 1. Uninstall deceptive applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove rogue extensions from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
- STEP 6. Remove malicious plug-ins from Internet Explorer.
Removal of potentially unwanted applications:
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.
Windows XP users:
Click Start, choose Settings and click Control Panel. Locate and click Add or Remove Programs.
Windows 10 and Windows 8 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.
Mac 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 "Fast!" and other suspicious/recently-installed applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove rogue extensions from Internet browsers:
At time of research, Fast! did not install any unwanted browser extensions, however, some unwanted applications can be installed together with adware and browser hijackers. If you experience unwanted ads or redirects when browsing the internet, continue with the removal guide below.
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and remove them.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the fast! potentially unwanted appplication, 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 plugins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions", in the opened window remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with fast! potentially unwanted appplication 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 fast! potentially unwanted appplication, 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.
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 any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the fast! potentially unwanted appplication, 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.
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.
Removal assistance:
If you are experiencing problems while trying to remove fast! potentially unwanted appplication from your computer, please ask for assistance in our malware support forum.
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