Remove Smartlink Redirect
Having your Web browser redirect you to random sites is usually a sign that there is intrusive software on your computer. Typically, this is not malware – instead, these are small programs, which fit the description of adware or a browser hijacker. Recently, many Windows 10 users have been complaining about a random redirect to the site Smartlink.name. This site does not seem to host any content – instead, it serves as a redirect-gateway to ad-ridden pages. Needless to say, there is something shady going on when your browser triggers the Smartlink Redirect out of nowhere.
The worst about this particular issue is that it is not just bothersome. Users who experience the Smartlink Redirect report that the ads they see appear to be misleading, fraudulent, and potentially dangerous. Some examples of the Smartlink ads include gambling offers that appear too good to be true or fake antivirus reports. You should remember that suspicious online ads can be very dangerous, so it is best not to interact with them. This is especially true for ads with unknown origin.
Some users report that the Smartlink Redirect was caused by a browser add-on called 'Smartlink.' However, trying to remove this extension manually might not work. Furthermore, browser hijackers and adware often try to preserve some of their files when the user tries to remove them. This means that even if Smartlink stops appearing in your list of add-ons, it might still work in the background and manipulate your browser.
If you are tackling the Smartlink Redirect issue at the moment, then you need to run a malware removal tool. This appears to resolve the issue permanently for all users who were affected by this adware.