AutoTinker

Posted by Max Lehmann on August 21, 2015

What is AutoTinker?

If you think that adware programs are just insignificant nuisances, perhaps you should change your point of view, especially if you have AutoTinker on your PC. This adware program can be used by cyber criminals for malware distribution. As a result, the application might inadvertently expose you to corrupted content that would ultimately lead to a system crash. We are surely painting in very dark colors, but you have to be aware of all the potential threats behind AutoTinker and remove it immediately. Luckily, it is not complicated to delete an adware program on your own, but we would still suggest investing in a licensed antispyware tool.

Where does AutoTinker come from?

You must have downloaded AutoTinker from a file-sharing, torrent, or other p2p website you have visited recently. Naturally, you will say that you do not remember installing AutoTinker on your PC, and that is completely understandable. This program must have come bundled with freeware, and you did not notice any mention of the application when you breezed through the installation wizard. The InstallRex, Amonetize, and Vittalia installers are known to be distributing this application, just like other programs from the Multiplug group.

AutoTinker is based on the JustPlugIt engine, and it is directly related to LockerTerminal, MetroCleaner, AllDaySale, and many other programs from the same family. They are also called "semi-random name adware" because the letters in their names are capitalized at random in the list of installed programs.

What does AutoTinker do?

Like any other genuine adware application out there, AutoTinker displays commercial advertisements. The ads pop up onto your screen when you access Amazon, BestBuy, eBay, and other popular online shopping malls.

AutoTinker manages to display those ads because it adds an extension to your browser and makes use of it to collect information on your web browsing habits. Needless to say, this kind of activity slows down your browser and exposes you to potential security threats. What’s more, AutoTinker might be just one of many unwanted programs currently running on your system.

As mentioned above, AutoTinker gets distributed in software packages. Our research suggests that it often comes with browser hijackers and potentially unwanted programs, such as LightningDownloader, oursurfing.com, Websearch.hotfindings.info, and so on. Therefore, it is more than obvious that you have more than just one problem at hand. You should start solving them all by first removing AutoTinker.

How do I remove AutoTinker?

You can delete this application via Control Panel because AutoTinker does not try to hide its presence. Afterwards, you will have to terminate the extensions in Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. Once you are done with that, make sure you get rid of other potentially unwanted programs.

Once again, you can get a list of all the potential threats by running a full system scan with the SpyHunter free scanner. If you think that you cannot terminate unwanted programs on your own, you should get yourself a computer security application of your choice.

It is a lot easier to avoid such programs like AutoTinker than you think. Simply stay away from unfamiliar websites and do not click flash advertisements that pop up on your screen out of nowhere. Be responsible and don’t forget that a computer security problem is always just a click away.