Removal instructions for TopArcadeHits

[Metallica]

What is TopArcadeHits?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that TopArcadeHits 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 TopArcadeHits?

You may see this entry in your list of installed software:

and these warnings during install:

and these browser add-ons:

How did TopArcadeHits get on my computer?

Browser hijackers use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was bundled with other software.

How do I remove TopArcadeHits?

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 all Threats are selected, and click Remove Selected.
• Restart your computer when prompted to do so.

Is there anything else I need to do to get rid of TopArcadeHits?

• No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes TopArcadeHits completely.

How would the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware help protect me?

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 TopArcadeHits 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: TopArcadeHits Addon - {23407AE2-A2F7-4498-A031-1DDF42A357CA} - C:\Program Files\TopArcadeHits\topah.dll

Possible signs in a FRST log:

 BHO: TopArcadeHits Addon -> {23407AE2-A2F7-4498-A031-1DDF42A357CA} -> C:\Program Files\TopArcadeHits\topah.dll [2014-07-09] () FF HKCU\...\Firefox\Extensions: [addon@toparcadehits.com] - C:\Program Files\TopArcadeHits\topah.xpi FF Extension: TopArcadeHits Addon - C:\Program Files\TopArcadeHits\topah.xpi [2014-07-09] () C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\TopArcadeHits () C:\Program Files\TopArcadeHitsTopArcadeHits (HKLM\...\TopArcadeHits) (Version: 1.0.0 - TopArcadeHits)

Alterations made by the installer:

File system details [View: All details] (Selection)---------------------------------------------------    Adds the folder C:\Program Files\TopArcadeHits       Adds the file topah.dll"="7/9/2014 11:24 AM, 91136 bytes, A       Adds the file topah.ico"="7/9/2014 11:24 AM, 117831 bytes, A       Adds the file topah.xpi"="7/9/2014 11:24 AM, 2651 bytes, A       Adds the file uninst.exe"="5/29/2015 6:50 PM, 168025 bytes, A    Adds the folder C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\TopArcadeHits       Adds the file Play TopArcadeHits.lnk"="5/29/2015 6:50 PM, 1146 bytes, A       Adds the file Uninstall TopArcadeHits.lnk"="5/29/2015 6:50 PM, 1010 bytes, ARegistry details [View: All details] (Selection)------------------------------------------------    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{23407AE2-A2F7-4498-A031-1DDF42A357CA}]       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "TopArcadeHits Addon"    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{23407AE2-A2F7-4498-A031-1DDF42A357CA}\InProcServer32]       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files\TopArcadeHits\topah.dll"       "ThreadingModel"="REG_SZ", "Apartment"    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects\{23407AE2-A2F7-4498-A031-1DDF42A357CA}]       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "TopArcadeHits Addon"       "NoExplorer"="REG_DWORD", 1    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\TopArcadeHits]       "DisplayIcon"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files\TopArcadeHits\uninst.exe""       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "TopArcadeHits"       "DisplayVersion"="REG_SZ", "1.0.0"       "HelpLink"="REG_SZ", "http://www.toparcadehits.com"       "Publisher"="REG_SZ", "TopArcadeHits"       "SupportLink"="REG_SZ", "http://www.toparcadehits.com"       "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files\TopArcadeHits\uninst.exe""    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Approved Extensions]       "{23407AE2-A2F7-4498-A031-1DDF42A357CA}"="REG_BINARY, ............    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Settings\{23407AE2-A2F7-4498-A031-1DDF42A357CA}]       "Flags"="REG_DWORD", 1024       "VerCache"="REG_BINARY, ......................    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Mozilla\Firefox\EXTENSIONS]       "addon@toparcadehits.com"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files\TopArcadeHits\topah.xpi"

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:

Malwarebytes Anti-Malwarewww.malwarebytes.orgScan Date: 5/29/2015Scan Time: 6:59:27 PMLogfile: mbamTopArcadeHits.txtAdministrator: YesVersion: 2.01.6.1022Malware Database: v2015.05.29.04Rootkit Database: v2015.05.24.01License: FreeMalware Protection: DisabledMalicious Website Protection: DisabledSelf-protection: DisabledOS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1CPU: x86File System: NTFSUser: MalwarebytesScan Type: Threat ScanResult: CompletedObjects Scanned: 292626Time Elapsed: 5 min, 46 secMemory: EnabledStartup: EnabledFilesystem: EnabledArchives: EnabledRootkits: DisabledHeuristics: EnabledPUP: EnabledPUM: EnabledProcesses: 0(No malicious items detected)Modules: 0(No malicious items detected)Registry Keys: 6PUP.Optional.ArcadeHits.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\CLSID\{23407AE2-A2F7-4498-A031-1DDF42A357CA}, Quarantined, [d8902a6f91f991a5ad4dddc114efd030], PUP.Optional.ArcadeHits.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\CLSID\{23407AE2-A2F7-4498-A031-1DDF42A357CA}\INPROCSERVER32, Quarantined, [d8902a6f91f991a5ad4dddc114efd030], PUP.Optional.ArcadeHits.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\EXPLORER\BROWSER HELPER OBJECTS\{23407AE2-A2F7-4498-A031-1DDF42A357CA}, Quarantined, [d8902a6f91f991a5ad4dddc114efd030], PUP.Optional.ArcadeHits.A, HKCU\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\EXT\SETTINGS\{23407AE2-A2F7-4498-A031-1DDF42A357CA}, Quarantined, [d8902a6f91f991a5ad4dddc114efd030], PUP.Optional.ArcadeHits.A, HKCU\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\EXT\STATS\{23407AE2-A2F7-4498-A031-1DDF42A357CA}, Quarantined, [d8902a6f91f991a5ad4dddc114efd030], PUP.Optional.TopArcadeHits, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\TopArcadeHits, Quarantined, [70f81d7c7b0f5bdbc969d1acea1bcd33], Registry Values: 1PUP.Optional.TopArcadeHits, HKCU\SOFTWARE\MOZILLA\FIREFOX\EXTENSIONS|addon@toparcadehits.com, C:\Program Files\TopArcadeHits\topah.xpi, Quarantined, [f96fcccdabdf2412062e5a2360a5817f]Registry Data: 0(No malicious items detected)Folders: 2PUP.Optional.TopArcadeHits, C:\Program Files\TopArcadeHits, Quarantined, [70f81d7c7b0f5bdbc969d1acea1bcd33], PUP.Optional.TopArcadeHits, C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\TopArcadeHits, Quarantined, [87e125747614da5c4de6fe7fda2b3fc1], Files: 7PUP.Optional.ArcadeHits.A, C:\Program Files\TopArcadeHits\topah.dll, Quarantined, [d8902a6f91f991a5ad4dddc114efd030], PUP.Optional.EpicPlay.A, C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\SetupToparcadehits.exe, Quarantined, [4b1d4356a2e8b581c98ad093a062fc04], PUP.Optional.TopArcadeHits, C:\Program Files\TopArcadeHits\topah.xpi, Quarantined, [70f81d7c7b0f5bdbc969d1acea1bcd33], PUP.Optional.TopArcadeHits, C:\Program Files\TopArcadeHits\topah.ico, Quarantined, [70f81d7c7b0f5bdbc969d1acea1bcd33], PUP.Optional.TopArcadeHits, C:\Program Files\TopArcadeHits\uninst.exe, Quarantined, [70f81d7c7b0f5bdbc969d1acea1bcd33], PUP.Optional.TopArcadeHits, C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\TopArcadeHits\Uninstall TopArcadeHits.lnk, Quarantined, [87e125747614da5c4de6fe7fda2b3fc1], PUP.Optional.TopArcadeHits, C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\TopArcadeHits\Play TopArcadeHits.lnk, Quarantined, [87e125747614da5c4de6fe7fda2b3fc1], 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

Save yourself the hassle and get protected.