Ads by QuickRef

What is QuickRef?

QuickRef is a dubious application that claims to allow users to find and translate information online. This may seem legitimate and useful functionality, however, QuickRef is categorized as adware or a potentially unwanted program (PUP).

The developers (Delaware LLC) use a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of additional programs together with the chosen software) to install QuickRef on Internet Browsers without users' permission.

After successful infiltration on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, QuickRef tracks users' Internet browsing activity by collecting various information such as IP addresses, computer type, browser type and data (cookies, web beacons, URLs visited, search queries entered, pages viewed, etc.), and other details that may be personally identifiable.

Having this rogue application installed on your system may lead to high-risk adware, malware infections (when clicking ads delivered by this plug-in), and serious privacy issues.

Users often inadvertently install QuickRef when downloading free software from freeware download websites such as download.com, softonic.com, soft32.com, and many others. These websites use small download programs as free services and traffic monetization tools, since they offer installation of additional applications together with the chosen free software.

Although it is stated that these promoted applications are '100% legitimate and virus-free', reckless download and installation often results in adware or malware infections.

QuickRef is not technically a virus or malware, however, advertisements generated by this rogue adware may cause high-risk security infections. For these reasons, you are strongly advised to uninstall QuickRef from your system.

QuickRef is similar to other adware that employs bundling as an installation method. For example: Fortunitas, Traxxen, and Browser Pax among many others. None of these applications (including QuickRef) provide the features promised - they diminish browser performance and generate intrusive online advertisements.

To avoid installation of QuickRef, or other adware, follow each step of the freeware download procedure, click 'Decline' and uncheck all additional applications.

Furthermore, when installing downloaded software, select the 'Advanced' or 'Custom' installation options - this will reveal any concealed applications and allow you to opt-out of installation. If you have installed QuickRef, read the removal instructions provided to uninstall this potentially unwanted program from your system.

Deceptive free software installers used in QuickRef adware distribution:

QuickRef adware installer setup:

Intrusive online ads generated by Quick Ref adware ('Ad by QuickRef'):

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:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

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

QuickRef 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 "Quick Ref", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

Remove QuickRef adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, QuickRef 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 quickref 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 "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 quickref 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 all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with quickref 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 quickref 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.

Post a comment:
If you have additional information on quickref adware or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

▼ Show Discussion