Removal instructions for Link Wiz

Content is republished with permission from Malwarebytes.

What is Link Wiz?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Link Wiz is adware. These adware applications display advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing.

How do I know if my computer is affected by Link Wiz?

You may see this entry in your list of installed programs:

and this warning during install:

This is the kind of text pop-ups you may see:

How did Link Wiz get on my computer?

Adware applications use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was downloaded from their site.

How do I remove Link Wiz?

Our program Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can detect and remove this potentially unwanted program.

Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to your desktop.
Double-click mbam-setup-version.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
At the end, be sure a check-mark is placed next to the following:
- Enable free trial of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Premium
- Launch Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
Then click Finish.
If an update is found, you will be prompted to download and install the latest version.
Once the program has loaded, select Scan Now. Or select the Threat Scan from the Scan menu.
When the scan is complete, make sure that all Threats are selected, and click Remove Selected.
Restart your computer when prompted to do so.

Is there anything else I need to do to get rid of Link Wiz?

No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes Link Wiz completely.

How would the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware help protect me?

We hope our application and this guide have helped you eradicate this hijacker.

As you can see below the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware would have protected you against the Link Wiz adware. �It would have warned you before the rogue could install itself, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.

Technical details for experts

You will see these signs in a HijackThis log:

O23 - Service: Link Wiz 1.10.0.13 Client Service (lwsvc_1.10.0.13) - Link Wiz - C:\Program Files\LinkWiz_1.10.0.13\Service\lwsvc.exe

You may see these lines in FRST logs:

 (Link Wiz) C:\Program Files\LinkWiz_1.10.0.13\Service\lwsvc.exe
 R2 lwsvc_1.10.0.13; C:\Program Files\LinkWiz_1.10.0.13\Service\lwsvc.exe [278592 2015-04-02] (Link Wiz)
 R1 lwnfd_1_10_0_13; C:\Windows\System32\drivers\lwnfd_1_10_0_13.sys [52720 2015-04-02] (Link Wiz)
 () C:\Program Files\LinkWiz_1.10.0.13
 (Link Wiz) C:\Windows\system32\Drivers\lwnfd_1_10_0_13.sys

Link Wiz 1.10.0.13 (HKLM\...\LinkWiz_1.10.0.13) (Version: 1.10.0.13 - Link Wiz)

Alterations made by the installer:

File system details [View: All details] (Selection)
---------------------------------------------------
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files\LinkWiz_1.10.0.13
       Adds the file terms-of-service.rtf"="3/24/2015 5:41 PM, 24053 bytes, A
       Adds the file Uninstall.exe"="4/2/2015 10:12 PM, 313272 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files\LinkWiz_1.10.0.13\3rd Party Licenses
       Adds the file buildcrx-license.txt"="5/19/2014 9:10 PM, 7074 bytes, A
       Adds the file Info-ZIP-license.txt"="5/19/2014 9:10 PM, 2944 bytes, A
       Adds the file JSON-simple-license.txt"="10/30/2014 2:55 AM, 11558 bytes, A
       Adds the file nsJSON-license.txt"="5/19/2014 9:10 PM, 809 bytes, A
       Adds the file Nustache-license.txt"="10/30/2014 2:55 AM, 1079 bytes, A
       Adds the file TaskScheduler-license.txt"="10/30/2014 2:55 AM, 0 bytes, A
       Adds the file UAC-license.txt"="5/19/2014 9:10 PM, 956 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files\LinkWiz_1.10.0.13\Service
       Adds the file lwsvc.exe"="4/2/2015 10:11 PM, 278592 bytes, A
    In the existing folder C:\Windows\System32\drivers
       Adds the file lwnfd_1_10_0_13.sys"="4/2/2015 10:11 PM, 52720 bytes, A

Registry details [View: All details] (Selection)
------------------------------------------------
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\LinkWiz_1.10.0.13]
       "cr-at"="REG_SZ", ""
       "cr-pid"="REG_SZ", ""
       "cr-ver"="REG_SZ", "41.0.2272.118"
       "dbsr"="REG_SZ", "iexplore"
       "features"="REG_SZ", "0x01000000"
       "ff-at"="REG_SZ", ""
       "ff-pid"="REG_SZ", ""
       "ff-ver"="REG_SZ", "25.0 (en-US)"
       "hid"="REG_SZ", "99B84D34-775B-F8F2-2E33-C48517F1E2F6"
       "ie-at"="REG_SZ", ""
       "ie-pid"="REG_SZ", ""
       "ie-ver"="REG_SZ", "11.0.9600.17691"
       "iid"="REG_SZ", "00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000"
       "itm"="REG_SZ", "2015-04-09T09:50:57Z"
       "nf-at"="REG_SZ", "2E4F177A-CFFE-A9CB-AB67-310FAA4F3AEA"
       "nf-pid"="REG_SZ", "6DCD24F6-ABD5-4C8A-A3A9-0BC24680FE28"
       "nid"="REG_SZ", "8D41449E-BF91-4FFA-A606-498E2B5BF005"
       "osn"="REG_SZ", "Windows 7 Ultimate N"
       "ost"="REG_SZ", "x32"
       "osv"="REG_SZ", "6.1.7601"
       "user_sid"="REG_SZ", "S-1-5-21-4016700205-1717049133-1125222536-1001"
       "ver"="REG_SZ", "1.10.0.13"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\LinkWiz_1.10.0.13]
       "DisplayIcon"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files\LinkWiz_1.10.0.13\Uninstall.exe"
       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "Link Wiz 1.10.0.13"
       "DisplayVersion"="REG_SZ", "1.10.0.13"
       "NoModify"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "NoRepair"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "Publisher"="REG_SZ", "Link Wiz"
       "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files\LinkWiz_1.10.0.13\Uninstall.exe"
       "URLInfoAbout"="REG_SZ", "http://www.linkwizapp.com"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\lwnfd_1_10_0_13]
       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "lwnfd_1_10_0_13"
       "ErrorControl"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "Group"="REG_SZ", "PNP_TDI"
       "ImagePath"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, "system32\drivers\lwnfd_1_10_0_13.sys"
       "Start"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "Tag"="REG_DWORD", 10
       "Type"="REG_DWORD", 1
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\lwnfd_1_10_0_13\Enum]
       "0"="REG_SZ", "Root\LEGACY_LWNFD_1_10_0_13\0000"
       "Count"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "NextInstance"="REG_DWORD", 1
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\lwsvc_1.10.0.13]
       "Description"="REG_SZ", "This service enables Link Wiz 1.10.0.13 on HTTP websites"
       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "Link Wiz 1.10.0.13 Client Service"
       "ErrorControl"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "ImagePath"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, ""C:\Program Files\LinkWiz_1.10.0.13\Service\lwsvc.exe""
       "ObjectName"="REG_SZ", "LocalSystem"
       "Start"="REG_DWORD", 2
       "Type"="REG_DWORD", 16

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
www.malwarebytes.org

Scan Date: 4/9/2015
Scan Time: 11:57:28 AM
Logfile: mbamLinkwiz.txt
Administrator: Yes

Version: 2.01.0.1004
Malware Database: v2015.04.09.03
Rootkit Database: v2015.03.31.01
License: Free
Malware Protection: Disabled
Malicious Website Protection: Disabled
Self-protection: Disabled

OS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1
CPU: x86
File System: NTFS
User: Malwarebytes

Scan Type: Threat Scan
Result: Completed
Objects Scanned: 289445
Time Elapsed: 4 min, 2 sec

Memory: Enabled
Startup: Enabled
Filesystem: Enabled
Archives: Enabled
Rootkits: Disabled
Heuristics: Enabled
PUP: Enabled
PUM: Enabled

Processes: 1
PUP.Optional.LinkWiz.A, C:\Program Files\LinkWiz_1.10.0.13\Service\lwsvc.exe, 2880, Delete-on-Reboot, [f295df8b07833006fe47ea4def17867a]

Modules: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys: 5
PUP.Optional.LinkWiz.A, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\lwsvc_1.10.0.13, Quarantined, [f295df8b07833006fe47ea4def17867a], 
PUP.Optional.LinkWiz.A, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\lwnfd_1_10_0_13, Quarantined, [107731397515e6503411a691e81ed12f], 
PUP.Optional.LinkWiz.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\LinkWiz_1.10.0.13, Quarantined, [12756208deacd66085c0c07760a658a8], 
PUP.Optional.LinkWiz.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\LinkWiz_1.10.0.13, Quarantined, [b5d24f1b4149fc3a44af0aaecd3638c8], 
PUP.Optional.GlobalUpdate.C, HKCU\SOFTWARE\GLOBALUPDATE\UPDATE\PROXY, Quarantined, [e6a12e3c84061a1c6c04ad0d6e957c84], 

Registry Values: 3
PUP.Optional.GlobalUpdate.C, HKLM\SOFTWARE\GLOBALUPDATE\UPDATEDEV|AuCheckPeriodMs, 21600000, Quarantined, [3354fa706b1fcd69c512aa0fd72c847c]
PUP.Optional.LinkWiz.A, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\lwsvc_1.10.0.13|ImagePath, "C:\Program Files\LinkWiz_1.10.0.13\Service\lwsvc.exe", Quarantined, [85023d2df09ace68787a388044bf6e92]
PUP.Optional.GlobalUpdate.C, HKCU\SOFTWARE\GLOBALUPDATE\UPDATE\PROXY|source, IE, Quarantined, [e6a12e3c84061a1c6c04ad0d6e957c84]

Registry Data: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folders: 3
PUP.Optional.LinkWiz.A, C:\Program Files\LinkWiz_1.10.0.13, Delete-on-Reboot, [d0b7432747432b0ba0424375798ab54b], 
PUP.Optional.LinkWiz.A, C:\Program Files\LinkWiz_1.10.0.13\3rd Party Licenses, Quarantined, [d0b7432747432b0ba0424375798ab54b], 
PUP.Optional.LinkWiz.A, C:\Program Files\LinkWiz_1.10.0.13\Service, Delete-on-Reboot, [d0b7432747432b0ba0424375798ab54b], 

Files: 17
PUP.Optional.LinkWiz.A, C:\Program Files\LinkWiz_1.10.0.13\Service\lwsvc.exe, Delete-on-Reboot, [f295df8b07833006fe47ea4def17867a], 
PUP.Optional.LinkWiz.A, C:\Windows\System32\drivers\lwnfd_1_10_0_13.sys, Quarantined, [107731397515e6503411a691e81ed12f], 
PUP.Optional.LinkWiz.A, C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\linkwiz-setup-1.10.0.13.exe, Quarantined, [cfb84d1d96f46bcb2f1697a0bc4ade22], 
PUP.Optional.LinkWiz.A, C:\Program Files\LinkWiz_1.10.0.13\Uninstall.exe, Quarantined, [12756208deacd66085c0c07760a658a8], 
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\vitruvian-installer-hardwareprofile-v0001, Quarantined, [f1960f5bec9eeb4badf574d5778ec63a], 
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\vitruvian-installer-install-v0003, Quarantined, [3f48db8f5d2d4de9b3efdd6cd62f07f9], 
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\vitruvian-installer-processes-v0002, Quarantined, [5f28cd9db0da3ef87d258abfae576b95], 
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\vitruvian-installer-scheduledtasks-v0001, Quarantined, [aadddc8ee1a9ff37445ebb8e43c2d927], 
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\vitruvian-installer-softwareregkeys-v0002, Quarantined, [fb8c2e3ccfbbbd791c86f45521e4ae52], 
PUP.Optional.LinkWiz.A, C:\Program Files\LinkWiz_1.10.0.13\terms-of-service.rtf, Quarantined, [d0b7432747432b0ba0424375798ab54b], 
PUP.Optional.LinkWiz.A, C:\Program Files\LinkWiz_1.10.0.13\3rd Party Licenses\buildcrx-license.txt, Quarantined, [d0b7432747432b0ba0424375798ab54b], 
PUP.Optional.LinkWiz.A, C:\Program Files\LinkWiz_1.10.0.13\3rd Party Licenses\Info-ZIP-license.txt, Quarantined, [d0b7432747432b0ba0424375798ab54b], 
PUP.Optional.LinkWiz.A, C:\Program Files\LinkWiz_1.10.0.13\3rd Party Licenses\JSON-simple-license.txt, Quarantined, [d0b7432747432b0ba0424375798ab54b], 
PUP.Optional.LinkWiz.A, C:\Program Files\LinkWiz_1.10.0.13\3rd Party Licenses\nsJSON-license.txt, Quarantined, [d0b7432747432b0ba0424375798ab54b], 
PUP.Optional.LinkWiz.A, C:\Program Files\LinkWiz_1.10.0.13\3rd Party Licenses\Nustache-license.txt, Quarantined, [d0b7432747432b0ba0424375798ab54b], 
PUP.Optional.LinkWiz.A, C:\Program Files\LinkWiz_1.10.0.13\3rd Party Licenses\TaskScheduler-license.txt, Quarantined, [d0b7432747432b0ba0424375798ab54b], 
PUP.Optional.LinkWiz.A, C:\Program Files\LinkWiz_1.10.0.13\3rd Party Licenses\UAC-license.txt, Quarantined, [d0b7432747432b0ba0424375798ab54b], 

Physical Sectors: 0
(No malicious items detected)


(end)

As mentioned before the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware could have protected your computer against this threat.
We use different ways of protecting your computer(s):

Dynamically Blocks Malware Sites & Servers
Malware Execution Prevention

Save yourself the hassle and get protected.

#1
Metallica

Posted 09 April 2015 - 04:45 AM

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