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Ads by PlayFizz

Also Known As: PlayFizz adware
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

PlayFizz removal instructions

What is PlayFizz?

The PlayFizz website is filled with thousands of addictive free Flash games - "Playfizz is a gaming website that can lead you to a world of more than 3000 flash games. These games are free and offer you a diversity of fields that might attract your attention." To access the 'Premium' section, however, users must download the official PlayFizz application. Although this app may seem legitimate and useful, it is considered to be adware and a potentially unwanted program (PUP). These associations are made due to rogue behavior. PlayFizz commonly infiltrates Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) without users' consent, collects Internet browsing-related information, and displays intrusive online advertisements.

PlayFizz adware

PlayFizz employs a virtual graphic layer to display banner, pop-up, in-text, and other similar types of ads. The virtual layer allows developers to place various graphical content on any websites visited. Note that this content does not originate from the visited site. Furthermore, some ads open in new browser tabs or windows, thereby increasing the chance of accidental user clicks. Most of these adverts redirect to e-commerce websites such as online stores, however, users may also be redirected to bogus websites. Thus, clicking them exposes computers to risk of infection. Furthermore, PlayFizz continually monitors users' Internet browsing activity and gathers various information including IP addresses, websites visited, pages viewed, geographic locations, and other similar details that may be personally identifiable. The data is later shared with third parties and might be misused to generate revenue. Therefore, the presence of an information-tracking app on your system can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. We strongly recommend that you uninstall PlayFizz immediately.

PlayFizz Privacy Policy regarding data sharing:

We share your PII (to the extent we have such information) only with those involved in providing services, functions or professional advice as outlined below, including but not limited to our parent company and its officers, principals, employees, consultants, directors, agents, subsidiaries and/or affiliates (collectively, “Affiliate Companies”).

PlayFizz is similar or identical to hundreds of other PUPs also categorized as adware. PlayTopus, TopArcadeHits, and CrushArcade are some examples from a long list. Adware-type apps often make false promises to deliver useful features to trick users to install. The purpose of PlayFizz, and other similar apps, is to generate revenue for the developers by displaying intrusive online ads and sharing collected data with third parties - they provide no real value for the user.

How did PlayFizz install on my computer?

PlayFizz is often distributed using a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' - stealth installation of third party apps with regular software. Users often rush the download/installation processes without paying close enough attention, and are thus, unaware that bogus applications are usually concealed within the 'Advanced' or 'Custom' download/installation settings. By skipping this section, they inadvertently install PUPs. There is no reason for developers to properly disclose installation of bogus apps, since they are only concerned with the amount of revenue generated, which is dependent on the number of apps distributed.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

When downloading from a freeware download website, select the direct download link. If you are downloading via a 'download manager', closely inspect each step and decline all offers to install additional programs. Furthermore, software should be installed using the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' options, rather than 'Quick' or 'Typical' - this will reveal any additionally-included software and allow you to opt-out. The key to computer safety is caution. Pay close attention when downloading or installing all software.

PlayFizz adware installer set-up:

PlayFizz adware installation setup

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Quick menu:

PlayFizz 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.

PlayFizz adware uninstall via Control Panel

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

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

Remove PlayFizz adware from Internet browsers:

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

Internet Explorer logoRemove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Removing PlayFizz 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 "PlayFizz Games", select this entry and click "Remove".

Removing PlayFizz ads from Internet Explorer step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the playfizz adware, 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 PlayFizz  ads from Google Chrome step 1

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

Removing PlayFizz ads from Google Chrome step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the playfizz adware, 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 PlayFizz 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 "PlayFizz".

Removing PlayFizz ads from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with playfizz adware 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 playfizz adware, 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.

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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.

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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
PlayFizz adware QR code
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