Avoid the untrustworthy cpmlink.net URL-shortening website

What is cpmlink[.]net?

Cpmlink[.]net is an untrusted website offering URL (website address) shortening services. This site uses rogue advertising networks and, therefore, visitors to cpmlink[.]net might be presented with dubious advertisements and redirected to other bogus and even malicious websites.

These unwanted ads and untrusted websites pose a significant threat to device and user safety. Therefore, you are strongly advised against visiting and/or using cpmlink[.]net.

Cpmlink[.]net overview

When sites using rogue advertising networks are accessed and people directly or indirectly interact with the content, this redirects to/force-opens various other dubious, deceptive and dangerous websites.

I.e., once the web pages are entered and ads, buttons, etc. are clicked (or otherwise interacted with), they can redirect to other sale-oriented/promotional (of legitimate products), rogue, compromised, deceptive/scam and malicious websites. These untrusted/harmful sites are also promoted by intrusive advertisements.

Additionally, some ads of this type can stealthily download/install software. Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs) are a prime example of content infiltrated into systems in this manner, and these apps are commonly promoted by web pages such as cpmlink[.]net (via redirects).

This unwanted software usually seems legitimate and offers a broad range of "useful" functionality, ranging from system cleaning/optimization to easy access tools for online content, however, despite how good the features promised may sound, they are rarely operational (e.g. the features of fake anti-virus software).

Furthermore, PUAs often have undisclosed dangerous capabilities. Some PUAs can force-open dubious pages, similar to those promoted by rogue advertising networks. Adware-types run intrusive advertisement campaigns and deploy pop-ups, banners, coupons and other ads.

These overlay web page content and reduce browsing speed, as well as possing all of the aforementioned capabilities (e.g. causing redirects and stealthily downloading/installing bogus software). Browser hijackers are another type of PUA, which operate by making modifications to browser settings to promote fake search engines.

Therefore, with a browser hijacker installed, new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries typed into the URL bar redirect to the address of the bogus web searcher. Fake search engines are seldom capable of providing search results, and so they redirect to Google, Yahoo, Bing and other genuine sites.

Browser hijackers can also restrict/deny access to the browser settings and/or undo any permitted changes made. Furthermore, most PUAs have data tracking capabilities that are employed to monitor users' browsing activity. Data of interest includes URLs visited, web pages viewed, search queries typed, IP addresses, geolocations and other personally identifiable information.

The gathered data is then shared with and/or sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). In summary, the presence of unwanted apps on devices can lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial loss and even identity theft. To ensure device integrity and user safety, all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be removed without delay.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by cpmlink.net
Threat Type	Push notifications ads, Unwanted ads, Pop-up ads.
Detection Names	CLEAN MX (Malicious), CRDF (Malicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal).
Serving IP Address	104.28.12.121
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, potentially unwanted applications (adware).
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.

Examples of websites using rogue advertising networks

The use of rogue advertising networks is a common monetization technique and, hence, there are thousands of websites similar to cpmlink[.]net on the web - ytbmp3.club, youtubetomp3music.com, file-upload.com, myflixer.to, and magnetdl.com are just some examples of sites that employ this method to generate revenue.

You are strongly advised against visiting or using these sites, as this can lead to serious problems. Furthermore, it is possible to use legitimate and safe URL shortening services (e.g. the Google URL Shortener).

How did adware install on my computer?

PUAs are often downloaded/installed together with other products. This deceptive marketing technique of pre-packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions is called "bundling".

By rushing through download/installation of software (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps and sections, using "Quick/Express" settings, etc.) many users risk unintentionally allowing bundled content into their devices. Intrusive advertisements proliferate PUAs as well.

When clicked, the ads can execute scripts to download/install these applications without users' permission. Some PUAs have "official" download web pages from which they can be downloaded.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are advised to research all software before download/installation. Use only official and verified download channels. Unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks (BitTorrent, Gnutella, eMule), and other third party downloaders commonly offer harmful and bundled content, and are therefore untrusted and should be avoided.

When downloading/installing, read the terms, study all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of additional apps, tools, features, and so on. Intrusive advertisements typically seem legitimate, however, they can redirect to dubious and malicious sites (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and many others).

If you encounter ads or redirects of this kind, inspect the system and remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately. If your computer is already infected with rogue applications, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.

Appearance variants of the cpmlink[.]net website (GIF):

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

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 applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application that causes cpmlink[.]net 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 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 ads by cpmlink.net, 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 cpmlink.net 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 cpmlink.net, 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.

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 cpmlink.net, 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.

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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

I have clicked on ads, is my computer infected?

Merely clicking on an advertisement is unlikely to result in a system infection, as this kind of malvertising is uncommon. It is far more likely for a malicious ad to redirect to a site designed to infiltrate malware into systems or deceive visitors into downloading/installing it.

Is cpmlink[.]net a virus?

No, websites like cpmlink[.]net are not considered to be viruses. However, these sites may endorse virulent content, such as online scams, untrustworthy/hazardous software, and even malware.

Will Combo Cleaner eliminate the threats posed by cpmlink[.]net website?

Combo Cleaner is designed to scan visited websites for rogue, deceptive, and malicious content. Therefore, should you happen upon such a webpage – you will be warned immediately, and further access to it will be denied.

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