What is Adware.Linkury.M?
Adware.Linkury.M is an Adware program designed to make money through pay per click technique. It would display security alerts, discounted coupon codes and products via popups in the web browser.
Once your system is infected with adware, you would face frequent redirects to security alerts or there will be ad popups anytime on your screen. These advertisements can pop up on your screen even when your browser is closed, as the adware runs on the system as a background process.
None of the web browsers are spared!
When your computer is infected with adware, all your web browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, and MS Edge may redirect you to fake security warnings or sponsored advertisement banners. Although an adware might not damage any files or Windows system, it will certainly annoy you with the frequent notification and ad banner. As it is a malicious program and the longer it stays on a computer, the more it weakens the firewall of the computer making way for another malware.
How does Adware.Linkury.M adware infect a computer?
- Bundling: The quickest and the most relaxed way of infecting a user’s PC with adware is through freeware software’s, and in this case the user is equally responsible for authorizing the installation of such malicious program without reading the terms and conditions. Unfortunately, some freeware programs do not uncover that a malicious program will also be installed with it.
- Social Clickjacking: Creators of such infections use online media such as Social Network and tempting advertisements to provoke or let us say in fooling the users to click on the ads, i.e., Update your flash player or win an iPhone.
- Spam emails: This adware gets into your computer through malicious email attachments and download links present the body of the mail. This emails usually appear to be from a reputed organization, i.e., Banks and insurance companies.
- It can infect the computer through infected websites or malevolent websites.
- It can also trick you by fake security alert or system updates.
- Torrents & P2P File Sharing: Torrents and files shared on P2P networks have a high probability of being a carrier to such infections.
- It can also infect the computer through portable storage devices like USB stick, portable hard drive or through a disk.
Common symptoms show by a compromised system:
- Web browser crashes frequently when multiple ads flow in at a time.
- Default home page of the web browser changes.
- New add-ons toolbars or extensions are added.
- Whenever a user tries to open anything, he is redirected to a new website which might either display an advertisement or would give security warnings, i.e., A user searches for http://google.com, but he ends up on some advertisement.
- Poor system performance, slow response time as the advertisement would pop out of nowhere on the screen even when the browser is disabled.
- Slow internet browsing speed or internet would stop unexpectedly.
- The operating system would crash now and then, or the computer would boot up for no reason.
- Security program and the inbuilt firewall is disabled.
- New icons are added to the desktop, or suspicious programs are installed.
- Certain system setting and browser settings are disabled or changed.
- Ads pop up even when the browser is not open.
- New tabs open in browser to display ads or search results would always end up with adds.
Steps to be followed while installing a freeware program to avoid the installation of browser hijacker and adware
While installing a freeware software or a freeware game make sure you go through the license agreement section and read all the terms and conditions. And If reading the complete terms and condition is too much then while installing the freeware application if the installation offers you “custom and automatic installation”, it is always recommended that you go with the custom process as this would disclose the other programs that might get installed along with it. If you see any additional addons or toolbars checked, then remember to uncheck them this would avoid the installation of browser hijacker and adware.
Tips to Prevent Adware.Linkury.M from Infecting Your System:
1. Enable your popup blocker: Pop-ups and ads in the websites are the most adoptable tactic used by cybercriminals or developers with the core intention to spread malicious programs. So, avoid clicking uncertain sites, software offers, pop-ups etc.
2. Keep your Windows Updated: To avoid such infections, we recommend that you should always keep your system updated through automatic windows update. By doing this you can keep your device free from virus. According to the survey, outdated/older versions of Windows operating system are an easy target.
3. Third-party installation: Try to avoid freeware download websites as they usually install bundled of software with any installer or stub file.
4. Regular Backup: Regular and periodical backup helps you to keep your data safe in case the system is infected by any kind of virus or any other infection. Thus always backup important files regularly on a cloud drive or an external hard drive.
5. Always have an Anti-Virus: Precaution is better than cure. We recommend that you install an antivirus like McAfee or a good Malware Removal Tool like Download Free Virus Removal Tool
6. Install a powerful ad- blocker for Chrome, Mozilla, and IE.
