Remove Ads by PicRec (Uninstall Guide)

PicRec is a potentially unwanted program that will hijack your web browser and display pop-up ads. Potentially Unwanted Programs – or PUPs for short - are a nuisance and despite the fact that they have the word potentially in their title this is more of a get out clause for the developers and not something that tells you that you probably do want them. Please use this guide to remove PicRec ads and any associated malware.

It's fair to say that the majority of PicRec ads have less of the 'potentially' and considerably more of the 'unwanted' about them. Quite simply they aren't of much use. In addition to this there is the fact that any program that installs itself on your machine without your knowledge or by underhand means is probably up to no good. Otherwise, why go to all that trouble? It's certainly fair to say that PUPs are not as malicious as spyware, for example, but how are we to really know, as the unwitting recipient, what the developers really intend to use their program for? Chances are it's not just about gifting you with a browser extension.

Ads by PicRec:

How did PicRec infiltrate my PC?

More often than not you'll end up with PicRec on your computer when you've downloaded some other software. Potentially Unwanted Programs are pretty sly and are usually bundled surreptitiously with another program. This program may be from a well known software developer or it could be a free Internet game. Regardless, whatever it is, you need to be careful when you're downloading.

If your MO when downloading and installing software is to click install and then bash away at the 'OK' or 'Next' buttons until your installation is complete then you need to stop doing that right now! While no one (certainly not me) is going to argue with you that End User License Agreements (EULAs) are interesting, it is in fact here where you need to exercise a little due care and attention.

Developers of both PicRec and malware know that's how the majority of people install software and they're exploiting our slap dash attitudes.

But License Agreements are boring!

Be honest: could that be the reason why you're reading this? Because you've been infected by a Potentially Unwanted Program? License Agreements are boring, yes, but even more boring than that is constantly being directed to websites you don't want to visit – and trying to get rid of the PicRec ads.

I'm sorry but there really is no way around it: you need to know what you're downloading onto your PC. But surely my anti-virus will stop them in their tracks, you cry! Well, it doesn't work like that because PUP and adware developers are well aware that their programs are potentially unwanted. That's why they install their program through stealth methods – hoping that you either won't care that you have a new browser or will enjoy using their tool bar instead of, say Google's!

How does reading the License Agreement help?

Most PicRec variants are packaged with other software however PUP developers kind of take offence to being called malware, so many of them mention their presence in the EULA. And that's why you should read it!

To remove PicRec ads from your computer, please follow the steps in the removal guide below. If you have questions, please leave a comment down below. I will be more than happy to help you. Good luck and be safe online!

Written by Michael Kaur, http://deletemalware.blogspot.com

PicRec Removal Guide:

1. First of all, download anti-malware software and run a full system scan. It will detect and remove this infection from your computer. You may then follow the manual removal instructions below to remove the leftover traces of this malware. Hopefully you won't have to do that.

2. Remove PicRec related programs from your computer using the Add/Remove Programs control panel (Windows XP) or Uninstall a program control panel (Windows 7 and Windows 8).

Go to the Start Menu. Select Control Panel → Add/Remove Programs.
If you are using Windows Vista or Windows 7, select Control Panel → Uninstall a Program.



If you are using Windows 8, simply drag your mouse pointer to the right edge of the screen, select Search from the list and search for "control panel".



Or you can right-click on a bottom left hot corner (formerly known as the Start button) and select Control panel from there.



3. When the Add/Remove Programs or the Uninstall a Program screen is displayed, scroll through the list of currently installed programs and remove the following:

• PicRec
• and any other recently installed application

Simply select each application and click Remove. If you are using Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8, click Uninstall up near the top of that window. When you're done, please close the Control Panel screen.

Remove PicRec related extensions from Google Chrome:

1. Click on Chrome menu button. Go to Tools → Extensions.



2. Click on the trashcan icon to remove PicRec, LyricsSay-1, MediaPlayerV1, HD-Plus 3.5 and other extensions that you do not recognize.



If the removal option is grayed out then read how to remove extensions installed by enterprise policy.




Remove PicRec related extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

1. Open Mozilla Firefox. Go to Tools → Add-ons.



2. Select Extensions. Click Remove button to remove PicRec, LyricsSay-1, MediaPlayerV1, HD-Plus 3.5 and other extensions that you do not recognize.

Remove PicRec related add-ons from Internet Explorer:

1. Open Internet Explorer. Go to Tools → Manage Add-ons. If you have the latest version, simply click on the Settings button.



2. Select Toolbars and Extensions. Click Remove/Disable button to remove the browser add-ons listed above.