Linkey

Linkey is a web browser search extension designed to modify the user's search and home pages in order to direct advertising via the linkeyproject.com portal. It is available for download through its website or may be bundled and distributed through 3rd party download managers. The program may include the Linkey Deals product in addition to the browser extensions. The standard version of Linkey adds a shortcut quick launch icon to the Windows Taskbar, an extension button to Chrome, a shortcut to the user's desktop, and changes the browser's default search provider and start page. It also connects to the domains www.mlstat.com and service.linkeyproject.com to send statistics. The Settings Manager version includes a 'protected' directory called Settings Manager with various utilities to modify and manage web browser settings, as well as an Ask.com IE Settings hook executable designed to modify the standard Internet Explorer default search change warning dialog. Additionally, it distributes and runs a Kernel-mode driver which protects the Settings Manager/Linkey distributed files from being killed, disabled, and removed. The Linkey Deals product is considered potentially unwanted.