RelatedLinks is a piece of adware that you may have unknowingly downloaded with some shareware files.  RelatedLinks may also come with other “free,” ad-supported software, such as P2P and bit torrent interfaces.  When downloaded with this second type of software, it usually only shows advertisements on the particular software (as opposed to showing annoying pop-up advertisements).  It is also distributed from a network of malicious websites.

RelatedLinks poses a threat to computers using Windows because it changes some of the system’s basic settings.  RelatedLinks may also change browser settings as well.

This adware program has the potential to insinuate itself in Windows’ startup menu, so that it activates every time you start your computer.  This will cause RelatedLinks to run in the background, eating up processor speed and system resources every time you start your computer, whether the associated software is running or not.  It may also track your browsing habits.

A free scan with SpyZooka will let you know if this or any other software is slowing down your computer or giving your personal information away.