LinkSwift Ads

What is LinkSwift?

LinkSwift is a potentially unwanted application distributed using a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling'. This browser add-on installs together with free software downloaded from the Internet and is compatible with Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox.

It claims to enhance users' Internet browsing experience by displaying coupon ads, website ratings, and by adding other features, which supposedly "make your time on the web worthwhile". Note that while such added functionality may seem legitimate, many computer users refer to LinkSwift as a virus or malware.

These negative associations are made since Internet users often install LinkSwift inadvertently without their consent. Furthermore, this browser plug-in generates various intrusive ads.

After successful browser infiltration, LinkSwift generates coupon ads, search ads, and pop-up ads.

Be aware that clicking on these advertisements is not recommended as they may lead to serious security and privacy issues. This browser plug-in is not a virus or malware, however, it is categorized as a potentially unwanted application or adware, and therefore, you are advised to remove it from your system.

LinkSwift is similar to other potentially unwanted applications marketed using free software downloads, including DiamonData, Web Layers, BrowseFox, and many others. At time of testing this adware, it was bundled together with VLC media player. Note that VLC is an open source program and is not associated with any adware.

Deceptive free software download websites exploit the popularity of this free program in order to proliferate adware and generate revenue from Internet users who fall for such trickery and go on to install potentially unwanted browser add-on on their computers.

To be safe when downloading VLC, or any other popular free program, use the official developers' websites. Today, the majority of free software download websites use 'download clients', which often promote installation of free browser add-ons.

In many cases, these download clients are deceptive and do not display the 'decline' button prominently (a button allowing the user to opt-out of the installation of promoted software). To avoid installation of unwanted browser add-ons, be attentive when dealing with freeware downloads.

A strong indication of the presence of LinkSwift are "LinkSwift Ads" and "Powered by LinkSwift" advertisements when browsing the Internet. To eliminate this browser extension, follow the removal instructions provided.

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 Linkswift?
• STEP 1. Uninstall Linkswift using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Linkswift from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove Linkswift ads from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove Linkswift extension from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove LinkSwift extension from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

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

After uninstalling LinkSwift, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. Recommended malware removal software.

Remove LinkSwift from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:

Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

 

Click on the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer) select "Manage Add-ons". Look for "LinkSwift" and disable it.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the linkswift ads, 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 on "Extensions".  Locate: "LinkSwift", select it and click the trash can icon.

If the LinkSwift extension is greyed-out and you cannot remove it ("This extension is managed and cannot be removed of disabled"), follow this removal guide - how to remove a managed Google Chrome extension?

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the linkswift ads, 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 on the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window) select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and disable this add-on: "LinkSwift".

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with linkswift ads 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 linkswift ads, 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.

Post a comment:
If you have additional information on linkswift ads or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

▼ Show Discussion