PQwick Adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is PQwick?
As with many other adware applications of this type, PQwick is promoted by offering "useful" tools/features. In fact, this app is categorized as a potentially unwanted application (PUA), since it is installed without users' permission or knowledge, delivers advertisements, and collects user-information.
This adware-type application delivers coupons, banners, pop-ups, surveys, and other similar intrusive ads that are displayed using tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site. The ads conceal underlying website content, which can be very annoying.
Furthermore, ads displayed by PUAs redirect users to untrustworthy (potentially malicious) websites that could be malicious and cause high-risk computer infections, or run scripts designed to download and install other potentially unwanted applications.
PQwick is likely to record user-system information (such as IP addresses, keystrokes, visited websites, search queries, geo-locations, etc.) and then use it to generate revenue by sharing the details with third parties. Collected data might include personal and sensitive data, and the 'third parties' could be cyber criminals.
Users might encounter privacy/browsing safety issues or even identity theft. We strongly advise you to uninstall PQwick and other similar apps immediately.
| Name | Ads by PQwick |
| Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
| Symptoms | Seeing advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing. Intrusive pop-up ads. Decreased Internet browsing speed. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers. |
| Damage | Decreased computer performance, browser tracking - privacy issues, possible additional malware infections. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
There are many adware-type applications (such as CintaNotes, TextToTalk, VeberGreat, etc.) that perform identical actions. They offer useful 'tools or features', but these are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy so that users are encouraged to download/install them.
Most do not provide the functions promised and simply generate revenue for the developers. Having these apps installed could result in privacy issues and browsing problems.
How did PQwick install on my computer?
Potentially unwanted applications can generally be downloaded from their official websites or installed together with other software. In this case, PQwick is installed through other third-party software, since developers use a deceptive marketing method called "bundling".
Bundling is stealth installation of potentially unwanted applications together with regular software. Developers tend not to disclose these installations properly and hide bundled software/applications in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar sections of the installation processes.
Furthermore, many users install software without checking the aforementioned options - the most common way for PUAs to be installed.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Be cautious when installing software, especially if it is free. Free software is often ad-supportive. Do not jump through installation steps without checking included checkboxes or "Custom"/"Advanced" options and settings. Deselect extra offers and only then proceed to the next step or finish the installation.
Do not download software from untrustworthy websites or torrents - use direct links and avoid using third party installers/downloaders.
Avoid clicking intrusive ads - most may seem legitimate, but once clicked, they redirect users to untrustworthy websites (such as gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.) These websites can redirect users to other dubious sites or cause computer infections.
If you are redirected to a dubious website after clicking an intrusive ad, close the opened tab or window and check for any suspicious entries on your browser (plug-ins, add-ons, extensions, etc.). Also check the list of installed programs on your computer and uninstall any unwanted entries immediately.
If your computer is already infected with PQwick, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.
Screenshot of deceptive free software installer distributing PQwick adware:
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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Quick menu:
- What is PQwick?
- STEP 1. Uninstall PQwick application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove PQwick adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove PQwick ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by PQwick' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove PQwick extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
PQwick 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 "PQwick", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application that causes PQwick ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove PQwick adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, PQwick 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 pqwick, 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 "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and remove them.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by pqwick, 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 on "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ads by pqwick 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 pqwick, 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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Outstanding!
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