Linkonclick.com Redirect
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is linkonclick.com?
linkonclick.com is a rogue site identical to bestadbid.com, dealclicks.us, redirecting.zone, and many others. The only purpose of linkonclick.com is to cause redirects to other dubious sites.
Research shows that, in most cases, users visit linkonclick.com inadvertently - they are redirected by intrusive ads (displayed by malicious sites) or potentially unwanted programs (PUPs), which typically infiltrate systems without permission.
As well as causing redirects, PUPs deliver intrusive advertisements, gather sensitive information, and run unwanted background processes.
Immediately after infiltration, potentially unwanted programs start opening new browser tabs/windows and redirect users to linkonclick.com, which, in turn, causes several (typically 2-3) consecutive redirects to other dubious sites. There is a high probability that at least one of these sites will contain malicious content.
Therefore, redirects caused by linkonclick.com can lead to serious computer infections. With regard to redirects, PUPs deliver intrusive ads that might also lead to malicious sites. In addition, some ads execute scripts that download and install malware - even a single click might result in high-risk computer infections.
Furthermore, they are delivered using various tools (e.g., "virtual layers") that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, these ads often conceal underlying website content, thereby diminishing the browsing experience. Another important issue is data tracking. Potentially unwanted programs gather various information relating to browsing activity.
Collected data (IP addresses, URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, keystrokes, etc.) usually includes personal details that PUP developers later sell to third parties. These people (potentially, cyber criminals) often misuse the data to generate revenue. The presence of data tracking app(s) might thus lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft.
Some PUPs are also known to mine cryptocurrencies or run other unwanted processes in the background. Essentially, these programs misuse system resources without users' consent, thereby significantly reducing overall system performance. All potentially unwanted programs must be eliminated immediately.
Name | linkonclick.com pop-up |
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. |
There are hundreds of potentially unwanted programs, all of which are virtually identical. Most offer "useful functions" (e.g., file conversion, download performance increase, etc.) In fact, these programs deliver no real value for regular users.
Their only purpose is to generate revenue for the developers - claims to enable various functionality are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy. Rather than enabling these features, PUPs pose a direct threat to your privacy and Internet browsing safety.
How did adware install on my computer?
As mentioned above, potentially unwanted programs typically infiltrate systems without permission. Developers promote them using "bundling" and intrusive advertising methods. "Bundling" is stealth installation of third party programs with regular software/apps. Developers know that users often rush download/installation processes and skip steps.
Therefore, they hide "bundled" apps within "Custom/Advanced" options or other sections of these procedures. Clicking ads and skipping download/installation steps often leads to inadvertent installation of PUPs. Therefore, the main reasons for computer infections are poor knowledge and careless behavior.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
To prevent system infiltration by PUPs, be very cautious when browsing the Internet and, especially when downloading/installing software. Bear in mind that intrusive ads may seem legitimate, however, they usually lead to gambling, adult dating, pornography, and other dubious sites.
If you encounter these ads, immediately eliminate all dubious applications and browser plug-ins. Furthermore, carefully analyze each window (especially "Custom/Advanced" settings) of the download/installation dialogs and cancel all additionally-included programs.
In addition, avoid using third party downloaders/installers, since criminals monetize them by promoting PUPs (the "bundling" method). Software should be downloaded from official sources only, using direct download links. The key to computer safety is caution.
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 linkonclick.com?
- 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 linkonclick.com 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 linkonclick.com pop-up, 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 and remove them.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the linkonclick.com pop-up, 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 linkonclick.com pop-up 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 linkonclick.com pop-up, 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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