Ads by PicRec

What is PicRec?

Created by Shefa Media Ltd, the PicRec app claims to automatically identify various objects within images and then to enable quick searches on those objects by clicking them. While this added functionality may seem legitimate, PicRec is categorized as adware or a potentially unwanted application.

The developers of this app employ a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling', and therefore, computer users often install this application inadvertently without their consent when downloading free software. After installation, PicRec tracks users' Internet surfing activity by recording demographic information, browser types, operating system types, and IP addresses.

Furthermore, this potentially unwanted application generates intrusive ads including, for example, banners, pop–ups, pop-unders, coupons, price comparison, in-line text, and display advertisements (commonly marketed as 'Powered by PicRec', 'Ads by PicRec' or 'Brought to you by PicRec').

At time of research, this browser extension performed no malicious tasks, however, be aware that its presence on your system can lead to privacy issues. Clicking third party ads generated by PicRec can lead to malware and virus infections. For these reasons, you are advised to remove PicRec from your computer.

PicRec is similar to other adware that infiltrates systems via free software downloads and causes intrusive ads. Examples include Cartwheel Shopping, Easy Deals, Zombie Invasion, and SelectNGo.

To avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications, express caution when downloading free software since, today, most free software download websites employ 'download clients' - programs offering installation of advertised browser extensions together with the chosen free software.

When downloading free programs, inspect each download step and opt-out of installation of any advertised browser plug-ins by clicking the 'decline' button. Computer users who observe ads generated by PicRec ('Ads by PicRec') should use this removal guide to eliminate adware from their Internet browser/s.

Deceptive free software installers used in PicRec adware distribution:

PicRec adware generating intrusive online ads ('Brought to you by PicRec' or 'Ads by PicRec'):

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Quick menu:

• What is PicRec?
• STEP 1. Uninstall PicRec application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove PicRec ads from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove PicRec advertisements from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove PicRec pop-ups from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove PicRec extension from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

PicRec 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 "PicRec", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

Remove PicRec adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, PicRec installed no 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 browser add-ons and remove them. Note that by default, there should be no browser extensions.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the picrec adware, 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 icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click on "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed (potentially unwanted) browser add-ons and click the trash can icon.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the picrec adware, 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 plugins 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 any recently-installed add-ons. Note that by default, the extensions list in Firefox is empty.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with picrec adware 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 picrec adware, 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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