How to Remove Linnk.me Adware

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An adware lurks in the corners of your system. The infection managed to sneak in undetected. And, is now choosing to reveal itself. How? Well, by bombarding you with the Linnk.me site. The website is its grand announcement. It’s a sign that clues you into the existence of the threat. You best not discard the warning that is Linnk.me. Adware applications are horrible company. Once they slither into your system, corruption ensues. You face a multitude of grievances, on a daily basis. Issues range from seemingly minor ones to ones, you cannot ignore. The tool forces major threats your way. The worst one, you encounter, concerns your security. Yes, the cherry on top is the severe security risk, brought about by the adware. Here’s the thing. The program has instructions to steal your personal and financial details. And, it does so by spying on you from the moment, it infiltrates your PC. It keeps track of your every online move, and records it. Then, when it gathers enough data, sends it. Yes, it hands over the stolen information to strangers. The cyber criminals, who published it, to be precise. Ask yourself if that’s something you’re okay with. Are you going to allow your private details to get stolen? And, then exposed to unknown individuals with malicious agendas? Here’s a hint: don’t! As soon as you discover the existence of the adware on your PC, act! Heed the warning that is Linnk.me. Acknowledge the adware’s presence, and accept the danger you’re in. Find where its exact lurking place is, and remove it on discovery. The sooner, the better. Don’t delay, because delays have consequences.

Remove Linnk.me

How did I get infected with?

Adware tools are rather sneaky. In fact, they’re masterful in the art of deception. Through slyness and subtlety, they manage to slither in undetected. And, that’s despite having to seek your permission on their entry. Oh, yes! An adware has to ask if you agree to install it. Only if you do, can it continue with installment. No permission, no access. To avoid getting rejection, it pulls out all the stops. Yes, it does still follow the rules to ask. But, it does it in the most covert manner possible. For example, the tool pretends to be a system or program update. Like, Adobe Flash Player. And, if you’re not thorough enough to spot the deception, that’;s it. You end up getting stuck with Linnk.me. The infection can also lurk behind freeware, and spam emails. Or, corrupted links and sites. Neither method can prove successful if you’re attentive. They share a common necessity. Each invasive means needs your carelessness to succeed. The adware needs you to give into gullibility, and rush. To throw caution to the wind, and leave your fate to chance. Don’t oblige! Don’t ease its invasion! Prevent it! Always take the time to be extra careful. Do your due diligence. Choose caution over carelessness. One helps to keep cyber threats out. The other invites them in. Make sure to pick the right choice.

Why is this dangerous?

Linnk.me becomes the bane of your browsing. The site plagues your every online move. No matter what you do, the adware doesn’t miss an opportunity to force it on you. Open a new tab? Linnk.me is there. Search the web? Linnk.me is among the results. You get redirected at every turn. You also get flooded with ads. In-text, banner, pop-up. And, each one “Brought to you by Linnk.me.” Browsing turns into quite the nuisance. And, don’t think the incessant interference goes unnoticed. It does take its toll on your computer. Your performance slows down to a crawl. Your system crashes, non-stop. Lagging becomes a part of your daily routine. The adware makes quite the mess. And, as stated, it gets worse. It doesn’t only wreak havoc throughout your system. But, also, jeopardizes your sensitive information. Don’t allow that! Ensure your system’s well-being! Keep your privacy private! Get rid of the nasty adware the first chance you get. Don’t waste time in debates. Heed experts’ advice. Act ASAP.

How to Remove Linnk.me virus

The Linnk.me infection is specifically designed to make money to its creators one way or another. The specialists from various antivirus companies like Bitdefender, Kaspersky, Norton, Avast, ESET, etc. advise that there is no harmless virus.

If you perform exactly the steps below you should be able to remove the Linnk.me infection. Please, follow the procedures in the exact order. Please, consider to print this guide or have another computer at your disposal. You will NOT need any USB sticks or CDs.

STEP 1: Track down Linnk.me in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate Linnk.me startup location

STEP 3: Delete Linnk.me traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

STEP 1: Track down Linnk.me in the computer memory

  • Open your Task Manager by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ESC keys simultaneously
  • Carefully review all processes and stop the suspicious ones.

end-malicious-process

  • Write down the file location for later reference.

Step 2: Locate Linnk.me startup location

Reveal Hidden Files

  • Open any folder
  • Click on “Organize” button
  • Choose “Folder and Search Options”
  • Select the “View” tab
  • Select “Show hidden files and folders” option
  • Uncheck “Hide protected operating system files”
  • Click “Apply” and “OK” button

Clean Linnk.me virus from the windows registry

  • Once the operating system loads press simultaneously the Windows Logo Button and the R key.

win-plus-r

  • A dialog box should open. Type “Regedit”

regedit

Depending on your OS (x86 or x64) navigate to:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]

  • and delete the display Name: [RANDOM]

delete backgroundcontainer

  • Then open your explorer and navigate to: %appdata% folder and delete the malicious executable.

Clean your HOSTS file to avoid unwanted browser redirection

Navigate to %windir%/system32/Drivers/etc/host

If you are hacked, there will be foreign IPs addresses connected to you at the bottom. Take a look below:

hosts-redirect-virus

STEP 3 : Clean Linnk.me traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

  • Open Google Chrome

  • In the Main Menu, select Tools then Extensions
  • Remove the Linnk.me by clicking on the little recycle bin
  • Reset Google Chrome by Deleting the current user to make sure nothing is left behind

disable Linnk.me from chrome

  • Open Mozilla Firefox

  • Press simultaneously Ctrl+Shift+A
  • Disable the unwanted Extension
  • Go to Help
  • Then Troubleshoot information
  • Click on Reset Firefox

remove Linnk.me from firefox

  • Open Internet Explorer

  • On the Upper Right Corner Click on the Gear Icon
  • Click on Internet options
  • go to Toolbars and Extensions and disable the unknown extensions
  • Select the Advanced tab and click on Reset

remove Linnk.me from ie

  • Restart Internet Explorer

Step 4: Undo the damage done by Linnk.me

This particular Virus may alter your DNS settings.

Attention! this can break your internet connection. Before you change your DNS settings to use Google Public DNS for Linnk.me, be sure to write down the current server addresses on a piece of paper.

To fix the damage done by the virus you need to do the following.

  • Click the Windows Start button to open the Start Menu, type control panel in the search box and select Control Panel in the results displayed above.
  • go to Network and Internet
  • then Network and Sharing Center
  • then Change Adapter Settings
  • Right-click on your active internet connection and click properties. Under the Networking tab, find Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). Left click on it and then click on properties. Both options should be automatic! By default it should be set to “Obtain an IP address automatically” and the second one to “Obtain DNS server address automatically!” If they are not just change them, however if you are part of a domain network you should contact your Domain Administrator to set these settings, otherwise the internet connection will break!!!

You must clean all your browser shortcuts as well. To do that you need to

  • Right click on the shortcut of your favorite browser and then select properties.

safebrowsing-biz-shortcut-removal

  • in the target field remove Linnk.me argument and then apply the changes.
  • Repeat that with the shortcuts of your other browsers.
  • Check your scheduled tasks to make sure the virus will not download itself again.

How to Permanently Remove Linnk.me Virus (automatic) Removal Guide

Please, have in mind that once you are infected with a single virus, it compromises your system and let all doors wide open for many other infections. To make sure manual removal is successful, we recommend to use a free scanner of any professional antimalware program to identify possible registry leftovers or temporary files.

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