How to Remove Maiagames.lnk Malware

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Maiagames.lnk is a problematic file which is linked to malware. If you experience issues with this file, or if you have no idea how did it sneak into your OS, consider running a virus scan. Make sure that the so-called Maiagames.lnk malware doesn’t lurk in the shadows of your system. This parasite is a complete and utter menace. It is an adware-type of parasite that wreaks utter havoc. It corrupts your web browsers and opens them to surveillance and targeted ads. The parasite spies on you and uses the collected data for customized advertising. It records and analyzes your every online move. What links you follow, which websites you visit, what videos you watch. The Incognito mode of your browser cannot hide you. The malware knows everything. And when it deems it has enough information, it uploads the data to a remote server. Do you feel comfortable knowing that some unknown individuals with questionable agendas have access to detailed data about your online habits? Well, you have reason to be worried. This information is sensitive. It can be used for online scams and other fraudulent activities. Do not waste time in debates. The more time Maiagames.lnk spends on your system, the worse your predicament gets. Do yourself a huge favor. Remove the invader as soon as you become aware of its presence. Find where the malware lurks and delete it upon detection!

How did I get infected with?

Torrents, corrupted links, fake updates, software bundles. There are myriads of ways for malware to reach your system. And Maiagames.lnk uses all known tricks. This parasite lurks in the shadows and waits for an opportunity to strike. It attacks when you let your guard down. Do not make that mistake. You can never know where a parasite might strike from. No anti-virus app can protect you if you throw caution to the wind. Only your actions can keep your system secure and virus-free. Even a little extra attention can spare you an avalanche of problems. Do not visit questionable websites. Download software from reliable (preferably official) sources only. And don’t rush through the installation processes. Forget about the “Next-Next-Finish” setup strategy. Bear in mind that most of the apps we download off the Web come bundled with bonus software. If you rush, if you don’t pay attention to the fine print, you might install unwanted extras. Do not give into naivety! Take the time to do your due diligence. If available, use the advanced/custom setup option. Under it, you would be able to deselect all suspicious extras. Make sure you know what you install. Read the terms and conditions before you agree to them. If you cannot spare enough time to go through the whole document, scan it with an online EULA analyzer. Opt out of the installation if you notice anything suspicious.

Why is this dangerous?

Maiagames.lnk is a nasty malware. As soon as it enters your OS, corruption follows. Adverts and pop-ups cover your screen every time you so much as touch your browser. Every website you visit gets heavy on in-text and banner ads. Questionable websites load in new tabs and windows. Annoying notifications pop up out of the blue. These irritating inconveniences make your every task harder. They slow your system down and make your browser prone to crashes and freezing. Maiagames.lnk interrupts you constantly and forces you to close dozens of windows. The inconvenience, however, is not the problem. The true corruption is well-hidden. All these blinking pop-ups are potential threats. The malware behind them is not a safe advertising app. It displays misleading, false, and deceptive content. It threatens to redirect you to deceptive and corrupted web pages. You risk falling into online traps. Do not put up with this situation. The malware turns you into a target. Do what’s best for you and your system. Delete the parasite before it gets a chance to get you in serious trouble!

How to Remove Maiagames.lnk virus

The Maiagames.lnk infection is specifically designed to make money to its creators one way or another. The specialists from various antivirus companies like Bitdefender, Kaspersky, Norton, Avast, ESET, etc. advise that there is no harmless virus.

If you perform exactly the steps below you should be able to remove the Maiagames.lnk infection. Please, follow the procedures in the exact order. Please, consider to print this guide or have another computer at your disposal. You will NOT need any USB sticks or CDs.

STEP 1: Track down Maiagames.lnk in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate Maiagames.lnk startup location

STEP 3: Delete Maiagames.lnk traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

STEP 1: Track down Maiagames.lnk in the computer memory

• Open your Task Manager by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ESC keys simultaneously
• Carefully review all processes and stop the suspicious ones.

• Write down the file location for later reference.

Step 2: Locate Maiagames.lnk startup location

Reveal Hidden Files

• Open any folder
• Click on “Organize” button
  
• Choose “Folder and Search Options”
• Select the “View” tab
• Select “Show hidden files and folders” option
• Uncheck “Hide protected operating system files”
• Click “Apply” and “OK” button

Clean Maiagames.lnk virus from the windows registry

• Once the operating system loads press simultaneously the Windows Logo Button and the R key.

• A dialog box should open. Type “Regedit”

• WARNING! be very careful when editing the Microsoft Windows Registry as this may render the system broken.

Depending on your OS (x86 or x64) navigate to:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]

• and delete the display Name: [RANDOM]

• Then open your explorer and navigate to: %appdata% folder and delete the malicious executable.

Clean your HOSTS file to avoid unwanted browser redirection

Navigate to %windir%/system32/Drivers/etc/host

If you are hacked, there will be foreign IPs addresses connected to you at the bottom. Take a look below:

STEP 3 : Clean Maiagames.lnk traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

• Open Google Chrome

• In the Main Menu, select Tools then Extensions
• Remove the Maiagames.lnk by clicking on the little recycle bin
• Reset Google Chrome by Deleting the current user to make sure nothing is left behind

• Open Mozilla Firefox

• Press simultaneously Ctrl+Shift+A
• Disable the unwanted Extension
• Go to Help
• Then Troubleshoot information
• Click on Reset Firefox

• Open Internet Explorer

• On the Upper Right Corner Click on the Gear Icon
• Click on Internet options
• go to Toolbars and Extensions and disable the unknown extensions
• Select the Advanced tab and click on Reset

• Restart Internet Explorer

Step 4: Undo the damage done by Maiagames.lnk

This particular Virus may alter your DNS settings.

Attention! this can break your internet connection. Before you change your DNS settings to use Google Public DNS for Maiagames.lnk, be sure to write down the current server addresses on a piece of paper.

To fix the damage done by the virus you need to do the following.

• Click the Windows Start button to open the Start Menu, type control panel in the search box and select Control Panel in the results displayed above.
• go to Network and Internet
• then Network and Sharing Center
• then Change Adapter Settings
• Right-click on your active internet connection and click properties. Under the Networking tab, find Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). Left click on it and then click on properties. Both options should be automatic! By default it should be set to “Obtain an IP address automatically” and the second one to “Obtain DNS server address automatically!” If they are not just change them, however if you are part of a domain network you should contact your Domain Administrator to set these settings, otherwise the internet connection will break!!!

You must clean all your browser shortcuts as well. To do that you need to

• Right click on the shortcut of your favorite browser and then select properties.

• in the target field remove Maiagames.lnk argument and then apply the changes.
• Repeat that with the shortcuts of your other browsers.
• Check your scheduled tasks to make sure the virus will not download itself again.

How to Permanently Remove Maiagames.lnk Virus (automatic) Removal Guide

Please, have in mind that once you are infected with a single virus, it compromises your system and let all doors wide open for many other infections. To make sure manual removal is successful, we recommend to use a free scanner of any professional antimalware program to identify possible registry leftovers or temporary files.