Ads by LinkWiz

What is LinkWiz?

LinkWiz is a dubious browser add-on claiming to allow users to to quickly find the information they require. On initial inspection, this plug-in may appear useful, however, LinkWiz is categorized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) or adware.

This association is made due to a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' - stealth installation of third party applications together with the chosen software.

Following browser infiltration, users experience intrusive ads (price comparison, coupon, in-text transitional, and in-text link), which are likely to redirect to bogus websites, thereby exposing computers to infection.

As with regular adware, LinkWiz records various information regarding Internet browsing. For example, IP addresses, browsers used (including data such as websites visited, pages viewed, search, queries, etc.), and other collected information that may contain personally identifiable details.

Therefore, the presence of this rogue plug-in on your system can lead to serious privacy issues. Infonaut, IntelliTerm, TheAnswerFinder, WordProser, and SearchSnacks are just some examples of applications similar to LinkWiz. These applications claim to provide various useful features, however, they provide no real value for the user.

Adware applications such as LinWiz are developed to generate revenue by the display of ads and sharing collected data with third parties. For these reasons, you are strongly advised to eliminate LinkWiz from your system.

As with most popular adware, LinkWiz is distributed via small programs called 'download clients' on freeware download websites such as softonic.com, soft32.com, etc. Download clients are employed to monetize these websites' traffic and free services by offering installation of additional programs together with the chosen software.

These applications are often described as '100% legitimate and virus-free', however, reckless download and installation of freeware commonly results in adware or malware infections. You can avoid this situation by closely analysing each step of the free software download procedure and never accepting offers to install additional programs.

Furthermore, when installing downloaded software, select the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' options - this will reveal any bundled applications listed for installation and allow you to opt-out. The following instructions will guide you through the removal of LinkWiz from your system.

LinkWiz adware installer set-up:

Deceptive free software installers used in LinkWiz adware distribution:

Intrusive online advertisements delivered by LinkWiz adware:

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Quick menu:

• What is LinkWiz?
• STEP 1. Uninstall LinkWiz application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove LinkWiz adware from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove LinkWiz ads from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by LinkWiz' from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove LinkWiz ads from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

LinkWiz 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 "Link Wiz 1.0.0.13", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

Remove LinkWiz adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, LinkWiz did not install its browser plug-ins on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox, however, it was bundled with other adware. Therefore, you are advised to remove all potentially unwanted browser add-ons from your 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 linkwiz adware, 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 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 linkwiz adware, 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", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with linkwiz adware 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 linkwiz adware, 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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