Sponsored Links Ads

What is Sponsored Links?

Intrusive advertisements marked as "Sponsored Links" are delivered by various potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). Research shows that these programs infiltrate systems without permission, or users install them inadvertently without their consent. As well as delivering intrusive ads, PUPs record user-system information and often diminish system performance.

Research shows that potentially unwanted programs randomly open new browsing/tabs windows and display intrusive ads (marked as "Sponsored Links") that redirect to various dubious websites. To achieve this, developers employ the content.ad advertising network.

It is currently unconfirmed whether this ad network is legitimate, however, it is clear that PUP developers abuse it extensively. The displayed ads often conceal visited website content, thus significantly diminishing the browsing experience. Furthermore, if the ad network is not legitimate, users might be redirected to websites that contain malicious content.

These redirects can result in high-risk computer infections. As mentioned above, potentially unwanted programs are designed to gather various information (e.g., keystrokes, queries entered into search engines, URLs visited, pages viewed, Internet Protocol addresses, geo-locations, etc.) that often contains private details.

Developers sell this information to third parties. Therefore, the presence of data-tracking apps might lead to serious privacy issues.

Research also shows that some PUPs mine cryptocurrency or perform other unwanted background tasks, without consent. This misuse of resources significantly diminishes overall system performance. If you encounter ads marked as "Sponsored Links", uninstall all suspicious applications immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	Sponsored Links virus
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. ▼ 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.

The Internet is full of potentially unwanted programs, all of which are virtually identical. By offering various 'useful features' (e.g., file conversion, system optimization, download performance increase, anti-virus, etc.), PUPs attempt to give the impression of legitimacy. In fact, only a small percentage of PUPs enable the functionality promised - most are useless for regular users.

The only purpose of all potentially unwanted programs is to generate revenue for the developers. They merely deliver ads, record data, and misuse system resources, thereby posing a direct threat to your privacy and Internet browsing safety.

How did adware install on my computer?

Some potentially unwanted programs have official download/promotion websites, however, in most cases, they infiltrate systems without permission (this is due to the careless behavior and lack of caution exhibited by many users).

Potentially unwanted programs are often distributed using 'malvertising' ads (that redirect to malicious websites and/or run scripts designed to download and install PUPs) and a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" - stealth installation of third party software together with regular software.

Developers hide bundled programs within various sections (usually, the "Custom/Advanced" options) of the download/installation processes. They do not properly disclose these details. Furthermore, many users skip download/installation steps and click various ads without considering the consequences. This behavior often leads to computer infections.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

The key to computer safety is caution and, for this reason, you should pay close attention when browsing the Internet, and during the download and installation processes. Be aware that cyber criminals put a great deal of time and money into designing malicious ads.

Therefore, most appear legitimate, however, they are identifiable for their redirects - most lead to adult dating, pornography, gambling, survey, and other suspicious websites. If you encounter such ads, immediately eliminate all dubious browser extensions and programs. Third party download/installation tools are monetized using the bundling method.

Therefore, we recommend that you download your software from official sources only and, preferably, using a direct download URL. When downloading/installing, carefully analyze each step and opt-out of all additionally-included programs.

Advertising network behind ads marked as "Sponsored Links":

Appearance of "Sponsored Links" ads (GIF):

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▼ 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 Sponsored Links?
• STEP 1. Uninstall adware applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove adware from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove rogue plug-ins from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove adware-type extensions from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove malicious extensions from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

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 any potentially unwanted programs, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes Sponsored Links redirects, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove adware from 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 sponsored links virus, 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 sponsored links virus, 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 sponsored links virus 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 sponsored links virus, 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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