Ads by BBQLeads

What is BBQLeads?

The BBQLeads app claims to make Internet browsing more productive by helping users to find the best service professionals in their area and compare offers. While this added functionality may seem legitimate, BBQLeads is categorized as adware or a potentially unwanted application.

Developers of this add-on employ a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling', and therefore, computer users often install this plug-in inadvertently without their consent when downloading free software.

Following installation, BBQLeads tracks users' Internet browsing activity by recording demographic information, browser types, operating system types, and IP addresses.

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

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

BBQLeads is similar to other adware that infiltrates Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) via free software downloads and causes intrusive ads. Examples include Surfing Safeguard, BatterMarkit, Crime Watch, and RapidyWeb.

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 BBQLeads should use this removal guide to eliminate adware from their Internet browsers.

Previously discovered adware, which was identical to BBQLeads, was named DonutQuotes.

Deceptive free software installers used in BBQLeads adware distribution:

BBQLeads adware generating intrusive pop-up ads ('Brought to you by BBQLeads'):

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Quick menu:

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

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

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

Remove BBQLeads adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, BBQLeads 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 "gears" 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 bbqleads 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 menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click on "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the bbqleads 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 "Extensions", in the opened window, remove any recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with bbqleads 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 bbqleads 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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