FreeGamesZone Toolbar
Threat Scorecard
EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecard
EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards are assessment reports for different malware threats which have been collected and analyzed by our research team. EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards evaluate and rank threats using several metrics including real-world and potential risk factors, trends, frequency, prevalence, and persistence. EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards are updated regularly based on our research data and metrics and are useful for a wide range of computer users, from end users seeking solutions to remove malware from their systems to security experts analyzing threats.
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Ranking: The ranking of a particular threat in EnigmaSoft’s Threat Database.
Severity Level: The determined severity level of an object, represented numerically, based on our risk modeling process and research, as explained in our Threat Assessment Criteria.
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See also Threat Assessment Criteria.
| Ranking: | 2,039 |
| Threat Level: | 10 % (Normal) |
| Infected Computers: | 18,550 |
| First Seen: | August 11, 2015 |
| Last Seen: | September 20, 2023 |
| OS(es) Affected: | Windows |
The FreeGamesZone Toolbar is a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program) that may cause a variety of problems on affected Web browsers. The FreeGamesZone Toolbar is marketed as a way to gain instant access to numerous addictive Flash games. Its tagline reads "Install FreeGamesZone Add-on and access to all the best games in one click from your browser new tab." Any expected benefit that may be gained from using the FreeGamesZone Toolbar may not compensate the annoyance of having to deal with the various unwanted effects of this PUP. The FreeGamesZone Toolbar is marketed as a legitimate Web browser extension. However, the FreeGamesZone Toolbar may cause numerous problems on affected computers and be installed automatically. The FreeGamesZone Toolbar may cause performance issues and also compromise the computer users' privacy. This is what makes PC security researchers recommend the immediate removal of the FreeGamesZone Toolbar with a fully updated security application.
Table of Contents
The FreeGamesZone Toolbar may Redirect Users to Compromised Websites
The FreeGamesZone Toolbar may be installed on the most commonly used Web browsers, including Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome. The FreeGamesZone Toolbar may change the affected Web browser's settings automatically. For example, the FreeGamesZone Toolbar may change the affected Web browser's homepage, default search engine, and the new tab URL to the Ask.com search website, as a way of profiting from affiliate marketing and advertising. The FreeGamesZone Toolbar also may prevent computer users from undoing these changes. The FreeGamesZone Toolbar is rarely installed by the computer user. The FreeGamesZone Toolbar may be installed along with various other PUPs and unwanted applications. This may make it very difficult to use the affected Web browser since computer users may be redirected to unwanted websites continually or be interrupted by pop-up windows and new tabs opening on the affected Web browser constantly. The FreeGamesZone Toolbar is linked to tracking components that may keep a record of the computer user's online history and browsing habits, representing a potential privacy issue.
How is the Attack of PUPs Like the FreeGamesZone Toolbar
There are numerous PUPs that may take the form of Web browser toolbars like the FreeGamesZone Toolbar. Some examples include MyStart and Action Classic Games Toolbar. What the various variants of the FreeGamesZone Toolbar have in common is that they are marketed as useful or fun tools to the computer users' online activity. In fact, they may be designed to collect information about the affected computer while, at the same time, driving traffic to certain online websites. The main purpose of the FreeGamesZone Toolbar and its ilk is to generate revenue at the expense of computer users.
How the FreeGamesZone Toolbar may be Installed on a Computer
The FreeGamesZone Toolbar may be installed automatically. In most cases, the FreeGamesZone Toolbar may be installed while the computer user is attempting to install other software. Computer users that skip over the installation process may not realize that the installer is prompting them to install unwanted content such as the FreeGamesZone Toolbar. In most cases, computer users can opt out of installing this and other PUPs by using Custom or Advanced installation options. However, these options may not be easily accessible, and the installation process convoluted to increase the chances of installing of a PUP.
Dealing with the FreeGamesZone Toolbar
The first step when dealing with the FreeGamesZone Toolbar is to uninstall this toolbar using the Control Panel. Once the FreeGamesZone Toolbar has been uninstalled, PC security analysts recommend using a reliable security application to execute a full scan of the affected computer. Finally, computer users should revert their Web browser settings to their defaults undoing any unwanted changes made by the FreeGamesZone Toolbar to the default search engine, homepage and other settings.
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