How do I remove the Linkey adware?

1
This adware is very frustrating. I tried to remove it but it keeps coming back. It ads a bunch of links in my web browser (both Firefox and Internet Explorer) as well as reset my home and search pages to linkeyproject.com. Also, I think it is included extra ads when I am surfing online, is this possible? Please let me known how to get rid of this, it is very annoying!
Share Edited on Apr 16 '14 at 12:03
Asked Apr 16 '14 at 12:03
Are you having problems removing the file from the app or the entire app from add/remove programs? - Joeyc 122 months ago
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3 Answers

 
2
Use the instructions below to manually uninstall Linkey and third-party software using generic Microsoft Windows removal procedures. 

1. Access Windows Start Menu and navigate to the Control Panel.
2. Click Uninstall a program or Add and remove a program.
3. In the list of installed programs search for Linkey by Aztec Media Inc. (or other Publisher) and other potentially unwanted software such as Settings Manager that often installs with Linkey. Once located, double click the unwanted programs or highlight them in the list and click the Uninstall button.

You can also use Should I Remove It? to get rid of this.
Share Edited on Apr 17 '14 at 0:27
Answered Apr 17 '14 at 0:27
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0
herdProtect should detect and remove most adware related to Linkey. San your PC and remove any files discovered that contain the term Linkey in the file or signer name.
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Answered Apr 24 '14 at 22:52
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0
Here is the install log file from a Linkey injection. It provides some interesting details of how this adware works.

Init Product version 0.0.0.431 
Application ID: 100 
INSTDIR: C:\Program Files\Linkey 
defaultBrowserName=Chrome 
IE.GetInfo: iePathExe=C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE 
IE.GetInfo: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe 
FF.GetInfo: ffVersion= 
Chrome.GetInfo: chromePathExe=C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application 
Chrome.GetInfo: GetLongPathName - C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application 
MainTools.GetBrowsers: installBrowserName=IE, defaultBrowserName=Chrome 
MainTools.GetBrowsers: hostedBrowserPath=C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe 
isIESupported=Yes, isFFSupported=No, isChromeSupported=Yes Sections 
Section: used E:\Work\Linkey\G2\Client\installation\scripts\Linkey\external\Install.nsi 
INSTDIR=C:\Program Files\Linkey 
MainTools.UnpackFiles: C:\Users\test\AppData\Local\Temp\nss2FF9.tmp\nsq30B0.tmp\pack.exe 
MainTools.UnpackFiles: C:\Program Files\Linkey 

${__FUNCTION__}: GetFullPathName /SHORT $ssDllShort C:\Program Files\Linkey\IEExtension\iedll.dll 
${__FUNCTION__}: GetFullPathName /SHORT C:\Program Files\Linkey\IEExtension\iedll64.dll 
${__FUNCTION__}: HKLM SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows AppInit_DLLs C:\PROGRA~1\Linkey\IEEXTE~1\iedll.dll 
${__FUNCTION__}: C:\Windows\system32\regsvr32.exe /s C:\Program Files\Linkey\IEExtension\iedll.dll IE.ApproveExtension:
${__FUNCTION__}: C:\Users\test\AppData\Local\Temp\nss2FF9.tmp\Helper::ApproveIEAddon(t, t, i) v({56565656-5BA0-4048-BDDE-232323232323}, 8196, 8196) 
Section: call MainTools.SaveSettings 
Section: install signed uninstaller - C:\Program Files\Linkey\Uninstall.exe 
CopyFiles /SILENT C:\Users\test\AppData\Local\Temp\nss2FF9.tmp\Helper.dll C:\Program Files\Linkey\Helper.dll 
Section: call StatsHelper.SendStats 

StatsHelper.SendStats: service.linkeyproject.com and install_statistics.php 
StatsHelper.SendStats: Helper::FinishEncryptAndSend(t, t, t, t, i) v(service.linkeyproject.com, install_statistics.php, 300, 8196, 8196) 
StatsHelper.SendStats: returns US,1397656979 configBufferStr: US,1397656979 country: US itime: 1397656979 
Section: call StatsHelper.SendMlstats call XMLTools.SaveStatsSettings 

.onInstSuccess, Shortcut support: \
.onInstSuccess, call ShortcutTools.AddShortcutToDesktop with isDesktopShortCut: No 
.onInstSuccess, call ShortcutTools.AddShortcutToQuickLaunch with isQuickLaunchShortCut: No 
.onInstSuccess, call ShortcutTools.AddShortcutToTaskBar with isTaskBarShortCut: No MainTools.OpenFinalWebUrl 
.onInstSuccess, call DownloadTools.RemovePacks new log: C:\Program Files\Linkey\log.log old log: C:\Program Files\Linkey\log.log
Share Edited on Apr 25 '14 at 15:32
Answered Apr 25 '14 at 15:32
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