I wrote this article to help you remove QkSee. This QkSee removal guide works for Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer.

QkSee is an image engine. The tool can be used for a few purposes. The simplest function is viewing images. There is an option to display all graphic items from a folder in a slide show. You can rotate the pictures in 90º increments. QkSee allows you to print and share your images through an online print service or by burning them to a disc. The application has a convenient user interface, as shown on its official website. QkSee may appear to be a good program, but research has revealed that it involves a security risk. The tool has been categorized as adware by computer security specialists.

Why is QkSee considered a risky program?

QkSee performs unauthorized tasks which can lead to problems with your virtual and personal safety. The adware displays pop-up advertisements, promoting exclusive shopping offers. If you review the description on the program’s official website, qksee.net, you will discover that this functionality is not listed. Do not be tricked into believing the shopping ads are a bonus function. The furtive tool displays them for the benefit of its developers.

QkSee generates different kinds of advertisements, including pop-ups, pop-unders, freebies, banners, in-text links, floating, transitional, interstitial, contextual, inline, comparison and full-page ads. The windows show offers for a variety of consumer goods, like clothes, technological devices and random household items. There is no guarantee about the reliability of the proposed deals. They come from undisclosed websites with questionable security. Following the ads can take you to corrupted domains.

The developers of QkSee raise revenue by linking to sponsored websites. They receive commissions for supporting third party content. A lot of online advertisers pay for this service. Some of them are looking to popularize their websites or services, while others are involved in cyber crimes. Entering a malicious website could result in an instant infection. There is no way to tell whether a given ad leads to a reliable website or a compromised domain. To stay safe, it is advised to avoid all advertisements.

There is another security issue you need to be aware of. QkSee is set to track users’ browsing sessions. This poses an even greater threat, as the adware can record your personal and financial details. The rogue tool can get a hold of your browsing history, tracking cookies, IP address, geographic location, email, user names, passwords and the information from your online accounts. Your private data can be sold on dark markets without your knowledge or consent.

How did QkSee get installed to my computer?

The official website of QkSee provides a download link. If you click on it, you will find out that it is broken. This is irrelevant for the insidious program’s rate of distribution. The adware uses a couple of propagation vectors which we will refer to as dark patterns. They allow the program to get installed to your machine without your desire. The covert tool tricks its way in. Its install can go unnoticed.

The preferred distribution vector for QkSee is bundling. The secluded program travels with freeware, shareware and pirated utilities. It gets included as a bonus and selected for install as the default option. You have to find where the adware is listed and untick the option. If you skip reading the terms and conditions, the clandestine program would be granted permission to enter your system.

The other dark pattern is to transfer QkSee through spam emails. The sender attaches the malevolent program to a host file. Opening the attachment would prompt the download and subsequent install of the adware through a background process. You must handle your in-box items with caution. Look up the sender’s contacts to check if he is who he claims to be. Spammers often write on behalf of reliable companies and institutions.

QkSee Uninstall

Before starting the real removal process, you must reboot in Safe Mode. If you are familiar with this task, skip the instructions below and proceed to Step 2. If you do not know how to do it, here is how to reboot in Safe mode:

For Windows 98, XP, Millenium and 7:
Reboot your computer. When the first screen of information appears, start repeatedly pressing F8 key. Then choose Safe Mode With Networking from the options.

For Windows 8/8.1
Click the Start button, next click Control Panel —> System and Security —> Administrative Tools —> System Configuration.‌

Check the Safe Boot option and click OK. Click Restart when asked.
For Windows 10
Open the Start menu and click or tap on the Power button.

While keeping the Shift key pressed, click or tap on Restart.

Here are the steps you must follow to permanently remove from the browser:

Remove From Mozilla Firefox:

Open Firefox, click on top-right corner , click Add-ons, hit Extensions next.

Look for suspicious or unknown extensions, remove them all.

Remove From Chrome:

Open Chrome, click chrome menu icon at the top-right corner —>More Tools —> Extensions. There, identify the malware and select chrome-trash-icon(Remove).

Remove From Internet Explorer:
Open IE, then click IE gear icon on the top-right corner —> Manage Add-ons.

Find the malicious add-on. Remove it by pressing Disable.

Right click on the browser’s shortcut, then click Properties. Remove everything after the .exe” in the Target box.

Open Control Panel by holding the Win Key and R together. Write appwiz.cpl in the field, then click OK.

Here, find any program you had no intention to install and uninstall it.

Run the Task Manager by right clicking on the Taskbar and choosing Start Task Manager.

Look carefully at the file names and descriptions of the running processes. If you find any suspicious one, search on Google for its name, or contact me directly to identify it. If you find a malware process, right-click on it and choose End task.

Open MS Config by holding the Win Key and R together. Type msconfig and hit Enter.

Go in the Startup tab and Uncheck entries that have “Unknown” as Manufacturer.

Still can not remove QkSee from your browser? Please, leave a comment below, describing what steps you performed. I will answer promptly.