QwikLinx Adware

What is QwikLinx.net?

Developed by QwikLinx Inc, the QwikLinx.net website is promoted using a free browser add-on called QwikLinx.

The website claims to make Internet browsing faster and more convenient by displaying contextual link ads, supposedly speeding up the process of locating information about specific topics. This particular browser extension is categorized as adware and a potentially unwanted program.

In most cases, QwikLinx self-installs on Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome) together with freeware downloaded from the Internet. Furthermore, when users click the displayed contextual links, they are redirected to the QwikLinx.net/search 'search engine', which displays sponsored search results only.

Note that clicking these links is not recommended, since this could lead to installation of additional unwanted software or malware. QwikLinx.net and the QwikLinx browser add-on add no real value for Internet users - the only real purpose of this adware is monetization.

The QwikLinx browser extension is a PUP (potentially unwanted program) and many computer users report that it was installed on their systems without their consent. To avoid unwilling adware installation such as this, express caution when installing free software downloaded from the Internet.

Always closely inspect each step of freeware installation processes, disallowing any suggested changes to your Internet browser settings. Also uncheck any option suggesting that you install additional software. To remove QwikLinx adware and related redirect issues to QwikLinx.net/search, use the removal guide provided.

Deceptive free software installer used in QwikLinx adware distribution:

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Quick menu:

• What is QwikLinx.net?
• STEP 1. Uninstall QwikLinx application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove QwikLinx add-on from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove QwikLinx plugin from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove QwikLinx extension from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove QwikLinx extension from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

QwikLinx 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 "QwikLinx", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the QwikLinx browser add-on, which causes redirects to QwikLinx ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software. Remove all entries detected by this program to ensure that your PC is clean from any possible spyware and malware infections.

QwikLinx adware removal from 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 QwikLinx Inc. related entries (QwikLinx) and disable them.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the qwiklinx 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 "Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "QwikLinx", select it and click the trash can icon.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the qwiklinx 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 plugins from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions" and remove "QwikLinx".

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with qwiklinx 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 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 qwiklinx 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:

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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