QkSee Adware

What is QkSee?

QkSee is a rogue application that supposedly allows a reduction in image size without loss of quailty. This functionality may seem legitimate and useful, however, QkSee is classed as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and adware. QkSee infiltrates systems without users' permission, delivers intrusive online advertisements, and tracks Internet browsing activity.

QkSee employs a 'virtual layer' to generate pop-up, banner, and other similar ads. The virtual layer enables placement of third party graphical content on any site, thereby concealing underlying content. This significantly diminishes the web browsing experience. In addition, these ads might lead to malicious websites containing infectious content.

Thus, even accidental clicks can result in high-risk adware or malware infections. QkSee also records various information relating to Internet browsing activity including (but not limited to) Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, websites visited, and search queries entered into search engines.

This data may not seem significant, however, it will contain private details that developers of QkSee share with third parties (and misused to generate revenue). Thus, the presence of a data-tracking app on your system can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. Therefore, we strongly advise you to remove this PUP immediately.

This PUP shares many similarities with OtherSearch, Vertech, LivingPlay, and hundreds of other deceptive adware-type applications. Be aware that all adware offers a number of 'valuable functions' to supposedly improve the web browsing experience in certain ways, however, these claims are simply attempts to trick users to install.

In fact, adware-type applications provide no significant value - they collect personally identifiable information (which is later shared with third parties to generate revenue) and deliver intrusive online advertisements (via the "Pay Per Click" [PPC] advertising model). These apps are designed only to generate revenue for the developers.

How did QkSee install on my computer?

Research shows that although QkSee has an official download website, many users install it inadvertently without their consent, since they often skip most/all of the download and installation steps (bundled programs are hidden within "Custom/Advanced" settings).

The more developers promote adware-type apps such as QkSee, the more revenue they generate. Thus, developers never properly disclose these installations.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

To prevent infiltration of potentially unwanted programs, be cautious during the download/installation processes. Analyze each step using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings. Furthermore, all third party applications should be canceled and offers to download/install them, declined.

Screenshot of QkSee application:

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Quick menu:

• What is QkSee?
• STEP 1. Uninstall QkSee application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove QkSee adware from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove QkSee ads from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by QkSee' from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove QkSee ads from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

QkSee adware removal:

Windows 11 users:

Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.

Windows 10 users:

Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.

Windows 7 users:

Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.

macOS (OSX) users:

Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

In the uninstall programs window, look for "QkSee", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes QkSee ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove QkSee adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, QkSee did not install its browser plug-ins on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox, however, it was bundled with other adware. Therefore, you are advised to remove all potentially unwanted browser add-ons from your Internet browsers.

Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:

Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by qksee, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.

Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Click the Reset button.

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by qksee, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with ads by qksee removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.

Select Troubleshooting Information.

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....

In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.

Optional method:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by qksee, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

• If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.

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