Remove LinkSicle adware

Proper methods to delete LinkSicle

LinkSicle is a malicious browser extension classified as potentially unwanted program and is mostly bundled with free software. That’s because this browser add-on or extension can easily infiltrate your system without user’s permission and then may cause various suspicious and unwanted activities. Such add-on claims that it is capable of enhancing people’s browsing on the internet and making their text translation tasks easier and faster. However, such functionality may not seem as useful as it looks from first sight.

After installation, LinkSicle start displaying unwanted ads when you browse the internet with your browser. This type of adware is not limited to displaying ads but can also redirect user to other malicious websites and constantly display annoying pop-up ads. thus, users are advised to be aware because this browser add-on is not a virus or malware. Clicking on ads generated by LinkSicle may lead to serious computer security and privacy issues.

Moreover, LinkSicle can track data and this is typical of adware. They monitor0020browsing monitor browsing activity and collect vulnerable data extracted from it. The gathered data usually contains personally identifiable information. What’s more, developers share this information by selling it to third parties. In short, data tracking software can cause severe privacy issues and even results in identity theft. So, to avoid all such issues, remove all dubious applications and browser extensions immediately upon detection.

Intrusion methods of LinkSicle:

LinkSicle is similar to other PUPs, which install without users consent along with free software downloaded from the internet. This deceptive marketing method of packing ordinary programs with unwanted ones is termed as bundling. Information about included apps is hidden behind custom or advanced options of installation setups. When users rush these setups and skip through most of the installation steps, they often increase the risk of unknowingly allowing bundled content into the devices. Thus, if you want to avoid its infiltration be very careful with such free programs and their installation. Always choose custom or advanced installation method when downloading them on your computer and uncheck those checkboxes that agree with additional downloads like this one.

How to prevent intruding unwanted apps?

• All software downloads should be done from official and trustworthy websites as it is recommended as safe and secure.
• Dubious channels like unofficial and free file hosting websites should not be used as they commonly offer harmful content.
• Advertisements appear on dubious pages should not be clicked as they often redirect to highly questionable sites.
• During installation, choose custom/advanced options as well other settings and opt out all additionally attached apps.

Short description

Name: LinkSicle

Type: Adware, PUAs, Malicious domain

Functionality: improves users browsing and make their translation tasks faster and easier.

Symptoms: decreased computer performance, displaying of annoying ads, redirected to dubious websites.

Distribution methods: deceptive pop-up ads, torrent websites, freeware and shareware programs, unsafe file sharing platforms etc.

Damage: internet browser tracking (potentially privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites.

Removal: Both automatic as well as manual removal guide have been described below under this article.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows Click Here For Mac

Important Note: This malware asks you to enable the web browser notifications. So, before you go the manual removal process, execute these steps.

Google Chrome (PC)

• Go to right upper corner of the screen and click on three dots to open the Menu button
• Select “Settings”. Scroll the mouse downward to choose “Advanced” option
• Go to “Privacy and Security” section by scrolling downward and then select “Content settings” and then “Notification” option
• Find each suspicious URLs and click on three dots on the right side and choose “Block” or “Remove” option

Google Chrome (Android)

• Go to right upper corner of the screen and click on three dots to open the menu button and then click on “Settings”
• Scroll down further to click on “site settings” and then press on “notifications” option
• In the newly opened window, choose each suspicious URLs one by one
• In the permission section, select “notification” and “Off” the toggle button

Mozilla Firefox

• On the right corner of the screen, you will notice three dots which is the “Menu” button
• Select “Options” and choose “Privacy and Security” in the toolbar present in the left side of the screen
• Slowly scroll down and go to “Permission” section then choose “Settings” option next to “Notifications”
• In the newly opened window, select all the suspicious URLs. Click on the drop-down menu and select “Block”

Internet Explorer

• In the Internet Explorer window, select the Gear button present on the right corner
• Choose “Internet Options”
• Select “Privacy” tab and then “Settings” under the “Pop-up Blocker” section
• Select all the suspicious URLs one by one and click on the “Remove” option

Microsoft Edge

• Open the Microsoft Edge and click on the three dots on the right corner of the screen to open the menu
• Scroll down and select “Settings”
• Scroll down further to choose “view advanced settings”
• In the “Website Permission” option, click on “Manage” option
• Click on switch under every suspicious URL

Safari (Mac):

• On the upper right side corner, click on “Safari” and then select “Preferences”
• Go to “website” tab and then choose “Notification” section on the left pane
• Search for the suspicious URLs and choose “Deny” option for each one of them

Manual Steps to Remove LinkSicle:

Remove the related items of LinkSicle using Control-Panel

Windows 7 Users

Click “Start” (the windows logo at the bottom left corner of the desktop screen), select “Control Panel”. Locate the “Programs” and then followed by clicking on “Uninstall Program”

Windows XP Users

Click “Start” and then choose “Settings” and then click “Control Panel”. Search and click on “Add or Remove Program’ option

Windows 10 and 8 Users:

Go to the lower left corner of the screen and right-click. In the “Quick Access” menu, choose “Control Panel”. In the newly opened window, choose “Program and Features”

Mac OSX Users

Click on “Finder” option. Choose “Application” in the newly opened screen. In the “Application” folder, drag the app to “Trash”. Right click on the Trash icon and then click on “Empty Trash”.

In the uninstall programs window, search for the PUAs. Choose all the unwanted and suspicious entries and click on “Uninstall” or “Remove”.

After you uninstall all the potentially unwanted program causing LinkSicle issues, scan your computer with an anti-malware tool for any remaining PUPs and PUAs or possible malware infection. To scan the PC, use the recommended the anti-malware tool.

How to Remove Adware (LinkSicle) from Internet Browsers

Delete malicious add-ons and extensions from IE

Click on the gear icon at the top right corner of Internet Explorer. Select “Manage Add-ons”. Search for any recently installed plug-ins or add-ons and click on “Remove”.

Additional Option

If you still face issues related to LinkSicle removal, you can reset the Internet Explorer to its default setting.

Windows XP users: Press on “Start” and click “Run”. In the newly opened window, type “inetcpl.cpl” and click on the “Advanced” tab and then press on “Reset”.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 Users: Press the Windows logo, type inetcpl.cpl in the start search box and press enter.  In the newly opened window, click on the “Advanced Tab” followed by “Reset” button.

For Windows 8 Users: Open IE and click on the “gear” icon. Choose “Internet Options”

Select the “Advanced” tab in the newly opened window

Press on “Reset” option

You have to press on the “Reset” button again to confirm that you really want to reset the IE

Remove Doubtful and Harmful Extension from Google Chrome

Go to menu of Google Chrome by pressing on three vertical dots and select on “More tools” and then “Extensions”. You can search for all the recently installed add-ons and remove all of them.

Optional Method

If the problems related to LinkSicle still persists or you face any issue in removing, then it is advised that your reset the Google Chrome browse settings. Go to three dotted points at the top right corner and choose “Settings”. Scroll down bottom and click on “Advanced”.

At the bottom, notice the “Reset” option and click on it.

In the next opened window, confirm that you want to reset the Google Chrome settings by click on the “Reset” button.

Remove LinkSicle plugins (including all other doubtful plug-ins) from Firefox Mozilla

Open the Firefox menu and select “Add-ons”. Click “Extensions”.  Select all the recently installed browser plug-ins.

Optional Method

If you face problems in LinkSicle removal then you have the option to rese the settings of Mozilla Firefox.

Open the browser (Mozilla Firefox) and click on the “menu” and then click on “Help”.

Choose “Troubleshooting Information”

In the newly opened pop-up window, click “Refresh Firefox” button

The next step is to confirm that really want to reset the Mozilla Firefox settings to its default by clicking on “Refresh Firefox” button.

Remove Malicious Extension from Safari

Open the Safari and go to its “Menu” and select “Preferences”.

Click on the “Extension” and select all the recently installed “Extensions” and then click on “Uninstall”.

Optional Method

Open the “Safari” and go menu. In the drop-down menu, choose “Clear History and Website Data”.

In the newly opened window, select “All History” and then press on “Clear History” option.

Delete LinkSicle (malicious add-ons) from Microsoft Edge

Open Microsoft Edge and go to three horizontal dot icons at the top right corner of the browser. Select all the recently installed extensions and right click on the mouse to “uninstall”

Optional Method

Open the browser (Microsoft Edge) and select “Settings”

Next steps is to click on “Choose what to clear” button

Click on “show more” and then select everything and then press on “Clear” button.

Conclusion

In most cases, the PUPs and adware gets inside the marked PC through unsafe freeware downloads. It is advised that you should only choose developers website only while downloading any kind of free applications.  Choose custom or advanced installation process so that you can trace the additional PUPs listed for installation along with the main program.