How to uninstall LinkSet app/extension from Mac (Virus removal guide)

What is LinkSet

LinkSet is an adware application that targets Mac platform. Adware is type of malware that may cause issues for your computer. LinkSet can generate numerous additional popup, banner, pop-under and in-text link advertisements flooding on your web-browser; collect your data like login details, online searches, etc; run in the background and drag down your MAC running speed; give more chances for other adware, PUAs even malicious software to get on your Mac computer.

Does adware steal your personal information? The LinkSet adware is able to gather lots of user information about you such as what web-pages you are opening, what you are looking for the World Wide Web and so on. This sensitive info, later, may be transferred to third parties.

If you are unfortunate have adware software, you can follow the few simple steps below that will assist you to remove LinkSet and get rid of unwanted ads from your web browser.

How does LinkSet get on your computer

Adware gets onto MAC computers by being attached to some freeware. So always read carefully the setup screens, disclaimers, ‘Terms of Use’ and ‘Software license’ appearing during the install procedure. Additionally pay attention for third-party apps that are being installed along with the main program. Ensure that you unchecked all of them! Also, run an ad-blocker tool that will help to block dubious and untrustworthy web sites

Threat Summary

Name	LinkSet
Type	adware software, potentially unwanted program (PUP), Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Adload, Adware/Adload!OSX, Osx.Adware.Cimpli, MacOS.Agent-MT, Program:MacOS/Vigram.A, Adware.MAC.Generic, ApplicUnwnt and OSX.Trojan.Gen
Distribution	Freeware installers, dubious popup ads, torrent downloads and fake update tools
Symptoms	You keep getting redirected to unfamiliar web-pages, pop-ups and newtabs are loaded without your request, new entries appear in your Applications folder, new toolbars suddenly installed on your internet browser, your internet browser homepage has replaced and you cannot change it back, slow Internet browsing speeds.
Removal	LinkSet removal guide

How to Remove LinkSet (Adware removal guidance)

The following few simple steps will allow you to get rid of LinkSet ads from Safari, Google Chrome and Firefox. Moreover, the steps below will help you to remove malicious software, hijackers, potentially unwanted programs and toolbars that your MAC may be infected. Please do the guide step by step. If you need help or have any questions, then ask for our assistance or type a comment below. Some of the steps below will require you to exit this website. So, please read the few simple steps carefully, after that bookmark it or open it on your smartphone for later reference.

To remove LinkSet, perform the following steps:

1. Remove unwanted profiles on Mac device
2. Uninstall LinkSet related apps through the Finder
3. Remove LinkSet related files and folders
4. Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
5. Remove LinkSet from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
6. How to stay safe online

Remove unwanted profiles on Mac device

LinkSet can make changes to the Mac system such as malicious changes to browser settings, and the addition of malicious system profiles. You need to check the system preferences, find and remove malicious profiles and ensure your settings are as you expect.

Click the System Preferences icon ( ) in the Dock, or choose Apple menu ( ) > System Preferences.

In System Preferences, click Profiles, then select a profile related to LinkSet.

Click the minus button ( – ) located at the bottom-left of the Profiles screen to remove the profile.
Note: if you do not see Profiles in the System Preferences, that means there are no profiles installed on your Mac device, which is normal.

Uninstall LinkSet related apps through the Finder

It is of primary importance to identify and remove potentially unwanted programs, adware and browser hijackers through ‘Applications’ section of your Finder.

Open Finder and click “Applications”.

It will open a list of all software installed on your machine. Scroll through the all list, and remove any suspicious and unknown apps. Right click to questionable application and choose “Move to Trash”. Another way is drag the program from the Applications folder to the Trash.

Most important, scroll through the all list, and move to trash any unknown applications. Don’t forget, choose Finder -> Empty Trash.

Remove LinkSet related files and folders

Now you need to try to find LinkSet related files and folders, and then delete them manually. You need to look for these files in certain directories. To quickly open them, we recommend using the “Go to Folder…” command.

LinkSet creates several files, these files must be found and removed. Below is a list of files associated with this unwanted program.

• /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.LinkSet.system.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.LinkSet.service.plist
• /Library/Application Support/.(RANDOM)/System/com.LinkSet.system
• ~/Library/Application Support/.(RANDOM)/Services/com.LinkSet.service.app

Some files created by LinkSet are hidden from the user. To find and delete them, you need to enable “show hidden files”. To do this, use the shortcut CMD + SHIFT + . Press once to show hidden files and again to hide them. There is another way. Click Finder -> Applications -> Utilities -> Terminal. In Terminal, paste the following text: defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles YES

Press Enter. Hold the ‘Option/alt’ key, then right click on the Finder icon in the dock and click Relaunch.

Click on the Finder icon. From the menu bar, select Go and click “Go to Folder…”. As a result, a small window opens that allows you to quickly open a specific directory.

Check for LinkSet generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/LaunchAgents

This will open the contents of the “/Library/LaunchAgents” folder. Look carefully at it and pay special attention to recently created files, as well as files that have a suspicious name. Move all suspicious files to the Trash. A few examples of files: com.machelper.plist, search.plist, installapp.plist, com.LinkSet.service.plist, com.google.defaultsearch.plist, , com.net-preferences.plist and macsearch.plist. Most often, adware, browser hijackers and PUPs create several files with similar names.

Check for LinkSet generated files in the /Library/Application Support folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/Application Support

This will open the contents of the “Application Support” folder. Look carefully at its contents, pay special attention to recently added/changed folders and files. Check the contents of suspicious folders, if there is a file with a name similar to com.LinkSet.system, then this folder must be deleted. Move all suspicious folders and files to the Trash.

Check for LinkSet generated files in the “~/Library/LaunchAgents” folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
~/Library/LaunchAgents

Proceed in the same way as with the “/Library/LaunchAgents” and “/Library/Application Support” folders. Look for suspicious and recently added files. Move all suspicious files to the Trash.

Check for LinkSet generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/LaunchDaemons

Carefully browse the entire list of files and pay special attention to recently created files, as well as files that have a suspicious name. Move all suspicious files to the Trash. A few examples of files to be deleted: com.LinkSet.system.plist, com.machelper.system.plist, com.macsearch.system.plist, com.installapp.system.plist and com.search.system.plist. In most cases, PUPs, adware and browser hijackers create several files with similar names.

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

You can remove LinkSet related files automatically through the use of MalwareBytes. We recommend this free malware removal utility because it can easily remove browser hijackers, adware, PUPs and toolbars with all their components such as files, folders and system entries.

Visit the page linked below to download the latest version of MalwareBytes Anti-Malware for Apple Mac.

After downloading is complete, run it and follow the prompts. Press the “Scan” button to begin scanning your MAC system for the LinkSet adware. This task may take some time, so please be patient. While the utility is checking, you may see count of objects and files has already scanned. Once you have selected what you wish to delete from your MAC system press the “Quarantine” button.

The MalwareBytes Anti-Malware is a free program that you can use to remove all detected folders, files, malicious services and so on.

Remove LinkSet from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

If you are still getting LinkSet adware software, then you can try to get rid of it by uninstalling harmful addons.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
In the top-right corner, expand the Google Chrome menu. Select ‘More tools’, then ‘Extensions’. Click ‘Remove’ to uninstall an extension. Click ‘Remove’ in the dialog box. You can also try to remove LinkSet adware software by reset Google Chrome settings.	Click on ‘menu’ button and select ‘Add-ons’. Go to ‘Extensions’ tab. To uninstall an add-on, click on ‘Remove’ button next to it. If you are still experiencing problems with LinkSet removal, you need to reset Firefox browser.
Safari
On the top menu select ‘Safari’, then ‘Preferences’. Select ‘Extensions’ tab. Select an extension you want to delete and click ‘Uninstall’ button next to it.

How to stay safe online

One of the worst things is the fact that you cannot block all harmful web-sites using only built-in Windows capabilities. However, there is a program out that you can use to stop annoying web browser redirects, advertisements and popups in any modern web-browsers including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Safari. It’s called Adguard and it works very well.

1. Download AdGuard on your MAC system by clicking on the link below.
   
   

   AdGuard for Mac download
   3687 downloads
   Author: © Adguard
   Category: Security tools
   Update: January 17, 2018
   
2. Once downloading is complete, launch the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
3. Once the setup is finished, click “Skip” to close the installation application and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial that will assist you get to know AdGuard better.
4. In most cases, the default settings are enough and you do not need to change anything. Each time, when you run your MAC system, AdGuard will start automatically and stop intrusive advertisements, block malicious and misleading websites.

To sum up

We suggest that you keep MalwareBytes (to periodically scan your Mac for new adware and other malware) and AdGuard (to help you stop unwanted advertisements and malicious websites). Moreover, to prevent any adware, please stay clear of unknown and third party software.

If you need more help with LinkSet related issues, go to here.