Direct Web Links Adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Direct Web Links?
Direct Web Links is a rogue application that supposedly enhances the browsing experience by providing a number of shortcuts leading to various popular websites (for example, YouTube, Facebook, etc.) Initially, this functionality may seem legitimate and useful, however, Direct Web Links is classed as adware and a potentially unwanted program (PUP).
There are three main reasons for these negative associations: 1) stealth installation without consent; 2) display of intrusive online advertisements, and; 3) potential tracking of users' Internet browsing activity.
As mentioned above, Direct Web Links claims to provide quick access to popular websites, however, all shortcuts created by this application lead to an identical fake Internet search engine: directweblinks.com/?p=main. After entering a search query on this site, users encounter another redirect to alltheinternet.com.
Thus, Direct Web Links does not provide the functionality promised and significantly diminishes the browsing experience. It also delivers pop-up, banner, coupon, and other similar ads. These often conceal underlying content, further diminishing the web browsing experience.
In addition, they might redirect to malicious websites or even execute scripts designed to download and install malware/PUPs. Therefore, clicking them risks further computer infections. Another downside is information tracking. Direct Web Links monitors browsing activity by recording information that might contain personal details.
This behavior is very common to adware-type applications. The collected data (for example, IP addresses, URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, etc.) is later shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who generate revenue by misusing personal information in various ways.
Therefore, the presence of an information-tracking app such as Direct Web Links can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. We strongly advise you to uninstall this PUP immediately.
| Name | Ads by Direct Web Links |
| Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
| Symptoms | Seeing advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing. Intrusive pop-up ads. Decreased Internet browsing speed. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers. |
| Damage | Decreased computer performance, browser tracking - privacy issues, possible additional malware infections. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
The Internet is full of adware-type apps, all of which are virtually identical to Direct Web Links. The list of examples includes (but is not limited to) Tabs To Windows, Unstopaccess, Clean My Chrome, and BlockAdsPro. All offer different functionality, but have identical behavior. Claims to prove 'useful features' are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy.
The only purpose of all adware-type applications is to generate revenue for the developers. Rather than providing any significant value for regular users, they deliver intrusive advertisements (via the "Pay Per Click" advertising model) and continually record private information (which is later shared with third parties to generate revenue).
How did Direct Web Links install on my computer?
Some PUPs (including Direct Web Links) have official promotion websites, however, criminals also proliferate adware using the aforementioned advertisements and a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". Therefore, PUPs often infiltrate systems without users’ permission. Bundling is stealth installation of third party applications with regular software/apps.
Developers hide bundled programs within the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings of the download/installation processes. Therefore, clicking ads and rushing the download/installation processes exposes systems to risk of various infections and compromises users' privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
To prevent system infiltration by adware-type programs, be extremely cautious when browsing the Internet and downloading/installing software. Download your software from official sources only and (if possible) select the direct download link rather than third party downloaders. These tools commonly bundle PUPs.
If your are forced to use these tools, consider canceling the entire process. In addition, select the "Custom/Advanced" settings, carefully analyze each download/installation step, and cancel all additionally-included programs. Avoid clicking ads, no matter how tempting they seem.
Research shows that criminals put a great deal of time and effort into making intrusive ads appear legitimate. Therefore, determining if they originate from visited (legitimate) websites is virtually impossible. Never risk clicking them. The key to computer safety is caution.
List of shortcuts created by Direct Web Links adware:
Browser shortcuts created by this adware lead to "directweblinks.com/?p=main" website:
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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Quick menu:
- What is Direct Web Links?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Direct Web Links application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Direct Web Links adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove Direct Web Links ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by Direct Web Links' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove Direct Web Links extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Direct Web Links adware removal:
Windows 11 users:
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:
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:
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:
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.
In the uninstall programs window, look for "Direct Web Links", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes Direct Web Links ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove Direct Web Links adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, Direct Web Links did not install its browser plug-ins on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox, however, it was bundled with other adware. Therefore, you are advised to remove all potentially unwanted browser add-ons from your Internet browsers.
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon 
(at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by direct web links, 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.
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.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by direct web links, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the 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.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ads by direct web links removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....
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...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge 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.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by direct web links, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
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.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
Commonly, 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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Outstanding!
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