User.Arcadia Threat Level:

User.Arcadia appears in fake security scans from rogue registry repair software PCPrivacyCleaner. User.Arcadia popups read:

“Your system has at least 6 known vulnerabilities.”

You’re not infected with User.Arcadia — you’re infected with fake privacy protector PCPrivacyCleaner.

So remove PCPrivacyCleaner.

Do You Have User.Arcadia?

When you’re infected with badware — whether it’s User.Arcadia, spyware, adware, a Trojan, or a virus — there are a few key symptoms. Have you noticed…

• Slow computer performance: It just takes one parasite like User.Arcadia to slow your computer dramatically. If your PC takes longer than usual to reboot, or if your Internet connection is unusually slow, you may be infected with User.Arcadia.
• New desktop shortcuts or switched homepage: Badware like User.Arcadia may change your Internet settings to redirect your homepage to another site. Badware can even add desktop shortcuts to your PC.
• Annoying popups: Badware can bombard your computer with popup ads, even when you’re not online. Through these popups, you may be tricked into downloading more spyware.

How to Remove User.Arcadia Manually

Before we get started, you should backup your system and your registry, so it’ll be easy to restore your computer if anything goes wrong.

To remove User.Arcadia manually, you need to delete User.Arcadia files. Not sure how to delete User.Arcadia files? Click here, and I’ll show you. Otherwise, go ahead and…

Stop User.Arcadia processes:

Note: In any User.Arcadia files I mention above, “%UserProfile%” is a variable referring to your current user’s profile folder. If you’re using Windows NT/2000/XP, by default this is “C:\Documents and Settings\[CURRENT USER]” (e.g., “C:\Documents and Settings\JoeSmith”). If you have any questions about manual User.Arcadia removal, go ahead and leave a comment.

How Do You Remove User.Arcadia Files?

Need help figuring out how to delete User.Arcadia files? While there’s some risk involved, and you should only manually remove User.Arcadia files if you’re comfortable editing your system, you’ll find it’s fairly easy to delete User.Arcadia files in Windows.

How to delete User.Arcadia files in Windows XP and Vista:

1. Click your Windows Start menu, and then click “Search.”
2. A speech bubble will pop up asking you, “What do you want to search for?” Click “All files and folders.”
3. Type a User.Arcadia file in the search box, and select “Local Hard Drives.”
4. Click “Search.” Once the file is found, delete it.

How to stop User.Arcadia processes:

1. Click the Start menu, select Run.
2. Type taskmgr.exe into the the Run command box, and click “OK.” You can also launch the Task Manager by pressing keys CTRL + Shift + ESC.
3. Click Processes tab, and find User.Arcadia processes.
4. Once you’ve found the User.Arcadia processes, right-click them and select “End Process” to kill User.Arcadia.

How to remove User.Arcadia registry keys:

Because your registry is such a key piece of your Windows system, you should always backup your registry before you edit it. Editing your registry can be intimidating if you’re not a computer expert, and when you change or a delete a critical registry key or value, there’s a chance you may need to reinstall your entire system. Make sure your backup your registry before editing it.

1. Select your Windows menu “Start,” and click “Run.” An “Open” field will appear. Type “regedit” and click “OK” to open up your Registry Editor.
2. Registry Editor will open as a window with two panes. The left side Registry Editor’s window lets you select various registry keys, and the right side displays the registry values of the registry key you select.
3. To find a registry key, such as any User.Arcadia registry keys, select “Edit,” then select “Find,” and in the search bar type any of User.Arcadia’s registry keys.
4. As soon as User.Arcadia registry key appears, you can delete the User.Arcadia registry key by right-clicking it and selecting “Modify,” then clicking “Delete.”

How to delete User.Arcadia DLL files:

1. First locate User.Arcadia DLL files you want to delete. Open your Windows Start menu, then click “Run.” Type “cmd” in Run, and click “OK.”
2. To change your current directory, type “cd” in the command box, press your “Space” key, and enter the full directory where the User.Arcadia DLL file is located. If you’re not sure if the User.Arcadia DLL file is located in a particular directory, enter “dir” in the command box to display a directory’s contents. To go one directory back, enter “cd ..” in the command box and press “Enter.”
3. When you’ve located the User.Arcadia DLL file you want to remove, type “regsvr32 /u SampleDLLName.dll” (e.g., “regsvr32 /u jl27script.dll”) and press your “Enter” key.

That’s it. If you want to restore any User.Arcadia DLL file you removed, type “regsvr32 DLLJustDeleted.dll” (e.g., “regsvr32 jl27script.dll”) into your command box, and press your “Enter” key.

Did User.Arcadia change your homepage?

1. Click Windows Start menu > Control Panel > Internet Options.
2. Under Home Page, select the General > Use Default.
3. Type in the URL you want as your home page (e.g., “http://www.homepage.com”).
4. Select Apply > OK.
5. You’ll want to open a fresh web page and make sure that your new default home page pops up.

User.Arcadia Removal Tip

Is your computer acting funny after deleting any User.Arcadia files? I recommend using a program like File Recover from PC Tools. File Recover saves deleted files that otherwise can’t be recovered by Windows operating sytem.

Want to save time finding User.Arcadia files? Download Spyware Doctor, let it find the User.Arcadia files for you, and then manually delete User.Arcadia files.

How Did You Get User.Arcadia?

Wondering how User.Arcadia ended up on your PC? If you’re infected with User.Arcadia or other badware, perhaps you were using…

• Freeware or shareware: Did you download and install shareware or freeware? These low-cost or free software applications may come bundled with spyware, adware, or programs like User.Arcadia. Sometimes adware is attached to the free software to “pay” developers for the cost of creating the software, and more often spyware is secretly attached to free software to harm your computer and steal your personal and financial information.
• Peer-to-peer software: Do you use a peer-to-peer (P2P) program or other application with a shared network? When you use these applications, you put your system at risk for unknowingly downloading an infected file, including applications like User.Arcadia.
• Questionable websites: Did you visit a website that’s of questionable nature? When you visit malicious sites that are fishy and phishy, badware may be automatically downloaded and installed onto your computer, sometimes including applications like User.Arcadia. I recommend you use Firefox web browser, if you don’t already.

Understanding User.Arcadia

If you’re infected with User.Arcadia, you should know what you’re fighting. I’ll explain some definitions related to User.Arcadia.

User.Arcadia May Be Rogue Registry Cleaner

Rogue registry cleaners are registry cleaner software of questionable value. Rogue registry cleaners may not be proven to repair your PC’s registry issues, may popup fake alerts or create many false positives about your PC being damaged, or may use scare tactics to try to get you to purchase the application. Rogue registry repair software may be installed by a Trojan, come bundled with other software, or install itself through web browser security holes. You may have also downloaded the rogue registry cleaner from its own site.

Rogue Registry Cleaner Tactics

Typically, a rogue registry cleaner like User.Arcadia has one or more of the qualities listed below, which is why rogue registry cleaners are considered registry cleaning software of questionable value.

• False positives/fake alerts: Rogue registry cleaner may produce a large number of false positives or use fake alerts, noting that your computer has registry errors that don’t really exist.
• Copycat looks: Rogue registry cleaners may copy the look and feel of other legitimate registry cleaners. Often, rogue registry cleaners may appear as close clones of other rogue registry cleaner software.
• High pressure marketing: Rogue registry cleaners may use scare tactics or other aggressive advertising and marketing tactics to try to trick you into buying the rogue registry cleaner application. Often, rogue registry cleaners may produce false positives and fake alerts about your system being damaged.
• Poor detection/scan reporting: Rogue registry cleaner software may produce poor reports when it scans your PC. For example, a rogue registry cleaner may say your computer has 12 registry errors, but not specify which what types of errors. Rogue registry cleaners may also report that your PC has Fake Error #20, but not tell you which files or registry keys are specifically damaged.
• Weak scanning/detection: Rogue registry cleaner applications may not only poorly report on registry errors, but rogue registry cleaners may also poorly scan your PC. Rogue registry cleaner applications may skip over important folders and files of your computer that should be scanned to detect errors.

Did User.Arcadia use these tactics to trick you into buying User.Arcadia?

User.Arcadia May Be a Trojan

Trojans install themselves secretly onto your computer, most often through your downloading a simple email attachment (often Trojans pose as harmless pictures). Most Trojans are able to gain complete control over your PC after installation. With this control, the Trojan and the hacker behind it may change your system settings, delete important files, steal your passwords, and watch your computer acitivity.

Infection Methods of User.Arcadia and Other Trojans

Most Trojans infect your computer by tricking you into launching an infected file. This poisoned file could disguised as a small file, such as a jpeg or other email attachment, or it might be downloaded via a website or FTP.

• Email: Your PC may be infected with a Trojan when you download infected email attachments, or sometimes even when you simply open an email. Many Trojans exploit security holes in Microsoft Outlook. You may be able to reduce your chances of getting infected by a Trojan by using a spam-blocking software.
• Websites: Your PC may be infected with a Trojan when you visit a rogue site. Many Trojans exploit security holes in Internet Explorer web browser so that by simply visiting a website you may unknowingly download a Trojan.
• Open ports: If your computer runs programs that provide file-sharing functions – such as AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), MSN Messenger, and more – you may open your computer up to vulnerabilities. Using file sharing through these applications may create a network that gives attackers the opportunity to remotely access your computer.