Thepopularlinks.com Redirect

What is thepopularlinks.com?

According to the developers, thepopularlinks.com is a "high-quality" Internet search engine that significantly enhances the browsing experience by generating improved results and by providing quick access to dozens of popular websites.

On initial inspection, thepopularlinks.com may seem legitimate and useful, however, the site is promoted using rogue download/installation set-ups (browser hijackers) that modify browser options without permission. Furthermore, thepopularlinks.com continually records various information relating to users' Internet browsing activity.

Rogue set-ups hijack Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, stealthily assigning the new tab URL, default search engine, and homepage options to thepopularlinks.com. Set-ups append targets of browser shortcuts with this same URL.

Therefore, users are automatically redirected to thepopularlinks.com when they search via the URL bar or simply open a browser/new browser tab. These redirects significantly diminish the browsing experience. As well as modifying settings, set-ups install a number of third party applications/browser plug-ins (so-called "helper objects").

These apps and add-ons reassign the aforementioned settings when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, users are unable to return browsers to their previous states. Research shows that helper objects and thepopularlinks.com continually record user-system information (such as IP addresses, URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, keystrokes, etc.) that might contain personal details.

Developers share this information with third parties to generate revenue. Helper objects and thepopularlinks.com pose a direct threat to your privacy and diminish the browsing experience. Therefore, you should uninstall all suspicious apps/browser add-ons and never visit this site again.

Threat Summary:

Name	thepopularlinks.com browser hijacker
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Symptoms	Manipulated Internet browser(s) settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). User's are forced to visit hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers.
Damage	Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites.
Malware Removal (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

thepopularlinks.com shares many similarities with dozens of other fake search engines such as, for example, fidonav.com, websrch.net, searchpage.com, and go.myquery.net. 

All falsely claim to enhance the browsing experience by providing 'useful features' (improved search results, weather forecasts, shortcuts to popular websites, currency exchange rates, etc.), however, these claims are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy. Fake search engines are designed only to generate revenue for the developers.

Most deliver no value for regular users, generate false search results (thereby promoting various websites), deliver 'malvertising' ads (via the "Pay Per Click" advertising model), and record user-system information.

Bear in mind that false search results and rogue ads can lead to malicious websites. In addition, the intrusive ads can execute scripts that download and install malware. Therefore, using a fake search engine exposes systems to risk of various infections and compromises users' privacy.

How did thepopularlinks.com install on my computer?

As mentioned above, thepopularlinks.com is promoted using rogue download/installation set-ups. This deceptive marketing method is called "bundling". Developers are aware that many users rush the download/installation processes and skip steps.

Developers do not disclose modification of web browser settings properly - they hide this information (usually within the "Custom/Advanced" options of the download/installation processes). Rushing and skipping this section inadvertently grants set-ups permission to modify various settings.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Be aware that potentially unwanted programs (for example, "helper objects", browser hijackers) are proliferated using the bundling method, and via the aforementioned malvertising ads. Therefore, be cautious when downloading/installing software and browsing the Internet in general. Many third party download/installation tools include additional applications.

Therefore, we strongly advise you to avoid using such tools - download your software only from trusted (preferably official) sources, using a direct download URL. In addition, carefully analyze each step of the download/installation dialog and opt-out of all additionally-included programs. If opting-out is impossible, cancel the entire process.

Malicious ads usually lead to websites such as surveys, gambling, adult dating, etc. In addition, criminals invest many resources into designing these ads and most appear legitimate. If, however, you have clicked ads leading to suspicious websites, uninstall all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins.

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:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is thepopularlinks.com?
• STEP 1. Uninstall potentially unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove thepopularlinks.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove thepopularlinks.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove thepopularlinks.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove thepopularlinks.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

thepopularlinks.com redirect 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 any recently-installed potentially unwanted applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes browser redirects to the thepopularlinks.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

thepopularlinks.com homepage and default Internet search engine removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser hijackers:

Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Remove thepopularlinks.com-related Internet Explorer add-ons:

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 such entries and click "Remove".

Fix Internet Explorer shortcut target:

This browser hijacker changes the "Target" field of the Internet Explorer shortcut. To fix this, locate the shortcut on your Desktop and click the right mouse button over it. In the opened menu, choose "Properties". In the opened window, locate the Target field and eliminate text (hxxp://www.thepopularlinks.com/...), which is entered after "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe".

Change your homepage:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://www.thepopularlinks.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer.

Change your default search engine:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". In the opened window, select "Search Providers", set "Google", "Bing" or any other preferred search engine as your default, then remove "thepopularlinks".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the thepopularlinks.com browser hijacker, 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:

Remove thepopularlinks.com-related Google Chrome extensions:

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.

Fix Google Chrome shortcut target:

This browser hijacker modifies the "Target" field of the Google Chrome shortcut. To fix this, locate the shortcut on your Desktop and click the right mouse button over it. In the opened menu, choose "Properties". In the opened window, locate the Target field and eliminate all text (hxxp://www.thepopularlinks.com/...), which is entered after "C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe"

Change your homepage:

Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.thepopularlinks.com) below the “Open a specific or set of pages” option. If present, click the three vertical dots icon and select “Remove”.

Change your default search engine:

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list, look for "thepopularlinks", and when located, click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the thepopularlinks.com browser hijacker, 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:

Remove thepopularlinks.com-related Mozilla Firefox add-ons:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions", in the opened window, remove any recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.

Fix Mozilla Firefox shortcut target:

This browser hijacker changes the "Target" field of the Mozilla Firefox shortcut. To fix this, locate the shortcut on your Desktop and click the right mouse button over it. In the opened menu, choose "Properties". In the opened window, locate the Target field and eliminate all text (hxxp://www.thepopularlinks.com/...), which is entered after "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe"

Change your homepage:

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window) then select "Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://www.thepopularlinks.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change default search engine:

In the URL address bar, type about:config and press Enter.
Click "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "thepopularlinks.com"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with thepopularlinks.com browser hijacker 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 and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...

In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.

In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.

In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.

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 top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.

Change your homepage and new tab settings:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".

Change your default Internet search engine:

To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the thepopularlinks.com browser hijacker, 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:

A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.

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