Virus and Spyware Removal Guides, uninstall instructions

What is thepopularlinks.com?

According to the developers, thepopularlinks.com is a "high-quality" Internet search engine that significantly enhances the browsing experience by generating improved results and by providing quick access to dozens of popular websites.

On initial inspection, thepopularlinks.com may seem legitimate and useful, however, the site is promoted using rogue download/installation set-ups (browser hijackers) that modify browser options without permission. Furthermore, thepopularlinks.com continually records various information relating to users' Internet browsing activity.

What is Ykcol?

Ykcol is a new variant of a high-risk ransomware-type malware infection called Locky (note that Ykcol spelled backwards is 'Locky'). Ykcol stealthily infiltrates systems and encrypts stored data using RSA-2048 and AES-128 cryptographies.

During encryption, it renames files using a unique 36-letter and digit combination with the ".ykcol" extension (previous Locky variants used ".locky", ".thor", ".diablo6", ".aesir", and a number of other extensions).

Following successful encryption, Ykcol creates an HTML file ("ykcol.htm"), placing it on the desktop, and opens a .bmp file ("ykcol.bmp"), which is also set as the desktop wallpaper.

What is contentplaces.com?

Identical to adexchangegate.com, newphn.com, clicktabs.net, and many others, contentplaces.com is a deceptive website designed to redirect to various suspicious sites. This website is promoted using potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) and, thus, users often visit contentplaces.com inadvertently (they are redirected by PUPs).

Research shows that these rogue programs often infiltrate systems without consent. In addition, they deliver intrusive online advertisements, misuse system resources, and collect user-system information.

What is hp.myway.com?

Developed by Mindspark Interactive Network (now known as IAC applications), ConvertDocsOnline is a deceptive application claiming to allow file format conversion.

On initial inspection, ConvertDocsOnline may seem legitimate and useful, however, it is categorized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and a browser hijacker. There are two main reasons for these negative associations: 1) stealth installation without users' consent, and; 2) modification of web browser options.

What is Free Premium Flash Games?

Free Premium Flash Games is a family of rogue applications that supposedly allows users to play addictive premium Flash games free of charge. On initial inspection, these apps may seem legitimate and useful, however, they are classed as potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) and adware (advertising malware).

Research shows that users are encouraged to install the apps together with a number of browser plug-ins designed to generate 'malvertising' ads. This adware is likely to collect various user-system information.

What is RDN/Trojan/Hacking File Detected?

Similar to Possible Suspicious Activity, Hard Drive Is Not Accepted, Windows 10 Pro Update Failed, and many others, "RDN/Trojan/Hacking File Detected" is a fake error message displayed by malicious websites. Users often visit these websites inadvertently - they are redirected by various potentially unwanted programs (PUPs).

Research shows that these programs infiltrate systems without permission or trick users to install by falsely claiming to provide "useful features". As well as causing redirects, PUPs deliver malvertising ads, diminish system performance, and record private information.

What is YOUR APPLE DEVICE HAS A VIRUS?

"YOUR APPLE DEVICE HAS A VIRUS" is a fake error message displayed by a malicious website that users often visit inadvertently - they are redirected by potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). Research shows that these PUPs commonly infiltrate systems without users’ permission. In addition, they diminish system performance, deliver ads, and record various user-system information.

What is hp.myway.com?

TelevisionAce is a deceptive application developed by Mindspark Interactive Network (now known as IAC applications).

By offering access to full episodes of various TV shows, TelevisionAce attempts to give the impression of legitimacy, however, this app is classed as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and a browser hijacker (a type of software that modifies Internet browser options without permission). TelevisionAce is known to infiltrate systems without consent.

What is adexchangegate.com?

adexchangegate.com is a deceptive website identical to newphn.com, predictivadnetwork.com, clicknshare.net, and many others.

This site redirects to other suspicious websites. Users often visit adexchangegate.com inadvertently - they are redirected by potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) that often infiltrate systems without consent. In addition, PUPs diminish system performance, display intrusive advertisements, and record user-system information.

What is newphn.com?

Identical to clicktabs.net, yesadsrv.com, creativesrv.com, and many others, newphn.com is a rogue website designed to direct to other suspicious sites.

Research shows that users often visit newphn.com inadvertently - they are redirected by various potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) that infiltrate systems without consent. As well as causing redirects, PUPs deliver ads, gather private information, and stealthily perform unwanted background tasks.