Remove Leechlink.net Ultimately from Your Computer

by Berta Bilbao | February 26, 2016 | 0 Comments browser hijacker, browser redirects, malicious domain

Threat Summary Leechlink.net – Distribution Methods Leechlink.net – More Information Leechlink.net – Privacy Policy Remove Leechlin.net Completely

Leechlink.net is a malicious domain, that can attach to any website you visit. It is also a browser hijacker and has one of the most aggressive adware campaigns around the internet. To know how to remove everything related to Leechlink.net, you should carefully read the whole article.

The redirects lead to various sites, some of which are ad-supported, others have some unwanted software for download. You can also get redirected to phishing sites or ones with malicious code. Your homepage and new tab page could be modified, and a browser toolbar or extension are not excluded to be added to your browsers.

Threat Summary

Name	Leechlink.net
Type	Malicious Domain, PUP
Short Description	The homepage of your browser could be modified and you will be redirected to advertising, malicious and phishing sites.
Symptoms	Browser settings are changed. You experience redirects on almost every click. Advertisements show on webpages.
Distribution Method	Freeware Installers, Bundling, Suspicious Sites
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join Our Forum to Discuss Leechlink.net.

Leechlink.net – Distribution Methods

Leechlink.net can be distributed most commonly via an application extracted by a third-party installer setup. You can get such software on your PC, unaware that it hides in freeware installations and bundle packages. Such bundle packs have additional components for installation inside. These components are rarely disclosed, thus the Leechlink.net domain attaches to your browsers. Installing it is avoidable if you find a Custom or an Advanced install sub-menu in the setup.

There are other distribution methods that can attach the malicious domain in your browsers. That can happen via advertisement clicks, pop-ups, pop-unders, banners and suspicious website visits. Leechlink.net can generate all sorts of redirects. The malicious domain might add a browser extension as well. Every browser can be affected, such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari.

Leechlink.net – More Information

Leechlink.net is a malicious domain. If you have software, related to it on your computer, you will start seeing all kinds of unwanted activity when you are browsing. Your homepage and new tab page can be modified, and you might see a browser extension added as well. Not only does this malicious domain have hijacking capabilities, but also has its very own search engine with the address: leechlink.net/search?q=. This is shown in the picture here:

You can see different sites being advertised and also a there is link to the Bing search engine, but the leechlink.net domain is attached, which creates a frame around the main page of a targeted website. That frame might contain only in-text links with redirects to other sites or a lot of ads on the page you are visiting.

You can see an example shown in the picture below, where the whole page is a copy of the original one but filled with advertising content from top to bottom:

When you are browsing, you will get redirected to various domains. All of them probably make money on a pay-per-click scheme. These redirects can land you on phishing sites, ad-supported sites, sites with software downloads and malicious code inside. You shouldn’t click on any redirects, although some of them load automatically, even without hovering with the mouse. Some of the most notorious and common redirects are to the following sites:

free.videodownloadconverter.com
sw345update.xyz
newtab-tv.com
www.freelotto.com
freesexhd.com

Those sites will display prompts for different actions, like installing fake video players or updates, presented as necessary. Other prompts for installing things that are claimed to be useful by the sites happen as well. You can often get redirected to an official, trusted and well-renowned domains, but with the frame of Leechlink.net on them. As it happened to us when researching:

Leechlink.net – Privacy Policy

There is no Privacy Policy presented by Leechlink.net. Know that from every redirect you get, you automatically accept the policy of that site you are on. You also give your consent for your information to be collected and shared by many of these sites. That information is both personally and non-personally identifiable and can contain your usernames, password or banking data.

Remove Leechlin.net Completely

To try and remove Leechlin.net and its every file and modification manually from your computer, follow the step-by-step removal instructions given below. If the manual removal does not get rid of the malicious domain and redirects completely, you should search for and remove any leftovers with an advanced anti-malware program. Such software will also keep your computer safe from future threats.

Berta Bilbao

Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.

Guide 1: How to Remove Leechlink.net from Windows.
Guide 2: Get rid of Leechlink.net on Mac OS X.
Guide 3: Remove Leechlink.net in Google Chrome.

Guide 4: Erase Leechlink.net from Mozilla Firefox.
Guide 5: Uninstall Leechlink.net from Microsoft Edge.
Guide 6: Remove Leechlink.net from Safari.
Guide 7: Eliminate Leechlink.net from Internet Explorer.
Guide 8: Disable Leechlink.net Push Notifications in Your Browsers.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

How to Remove Leechlink.net from Windows.

Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Leechlink.net

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter's malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria

1. Hold Windows key() + R

2. The "Run" Window will appear. In it, type "msconfig" and click OK.

3. Go to the "Boot" tab. There select "Safe Boot" and then click "Apply" and "OK".

Tip: Make sure to reverse those changes by unticking Safe Boot after that, because your system will always boot in Safe Boot from now on.

4. When prompted, click on "Restart" to go into Safe Mode.

5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen.

Step 2: Uninstall Leechlink.net and related software from Windows

Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:

1. Hold the Windows Logo Button and "R" on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear.

2. In the field type in "appwiz.cpl" and press ENTER.

3. This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press "Uninstall"

Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.

Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Leechlink.net on your computer.

The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Leechlink.net there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:

1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.

2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.

3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.

Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.

IMPORTANT!
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.

Step 4: Scan for Leechlink.net with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.

2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.

3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.

4. After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the 'Next' button.

If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Get rid of Leechlink.net from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall Leechlink.net and remove related files and objects

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your Mac with SpyHunter for Mac

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter for Mac needs to purchased to remove the malware threats. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy

1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:

2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:

3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to Leechlink.net:

Tip: To quit a process completely, choose the “Force Quit” option.

4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.

5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to Leechlink.net. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.

6: Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to Leechlink.net. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.

7: Remove any left-over files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:

Go to Finder.
In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.

In case you cannot remove Leechlink.net via Step 1 above:

In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:

Disclaimer! If you are about to tamper with Library files on Mac, be sure to know the name of the virus file, because if you delete the wrong file, it may cause irreversible damage to your MacOS. Continue on your own responsibility!

1: Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:

2: Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:

3: Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as Leechlink.net. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.

You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:

→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons

Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.

Step 2: Scan for and remove Leechlink.net files from your Mac

When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Leechlink.net, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.

Click the button below below to download SpyHunter for Mac and scan for Leechlink.net:

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove Leechlink.net from Google Chrome.

Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu

Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"

Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.

Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Erase Leechlink.net from Mozilla Firefox.

Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window

Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.

Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"

Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Uninstall Leechlink.net from Microsoft Edge.

Step 1: Start Edge browser.

Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.

Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".

Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.

Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove Leechlink.net from Safari.

Step 1: Start the Safari app.

Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.

Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".

Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.

Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.

Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.

A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the Leechlink.net will be removed.

How to Reset Safari
IMPORTANT: Before resetting Safari make sure you back up all your saved passwords within the browser in case you forget them.

Start Safari and then click on the gear leaver icon.

Click the Reset Safari button and you will reset the browser.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Eliminate Leechlink.net from Internet Explorer.

Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.

Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'

Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.

Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.

Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.