How to uninstall InstaQuick adware app from the operating system?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
InstaQuick adware removal instructions
What is InstaQuick?
InstaQuick is a rogue application, endorsed as a tool for desktop access to the Instagram social media platform. This piece of software is classified as adware due to running intrusive advertisement campaigns. In other words, InstaQuick delivers various ads. Additionally, most adware-types have data tracking abilities, which are used to spy on users' browsing activity and collect sensitive/private information extracted from it. Due to the questionable techniques employed in InstaQuick's distribution, it is also categorized as a PUA (Potentially Unwanted Application).
Adware enables the placement of third-party graphical content - on any visited website and/or other interfaces. This software delivers pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys, and different intrusive adverts. They severely diminish the browsing experience by limiting webpage visibility and slowing down the browsing speed. Furthermore, intrusive advertisements pose a threat to device/user safety. The ads promote sale-oriented pages (of both legitimate and fraudulent products), rogue, misleading, deceptive/scam, compromised, and malicious sites. When clicked on, intrusive adverts can execute scripts designed to download/install software (e.g., PUAs) without user consent.
What is more, most PUAs (adware included) can track data. They monitor browsing activity (visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, etc.) and gather vulnerable information inferred from it (IP addresses, geolocations, and even personally identifiable details). PUA developers monetize the collected data by sharing it with and/or selling it to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals), likewise intent on misusing it for profit. To summarize, presence of unwanted apps on devices - can lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft. Therefore, it is strongly advised to remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.
| Name | Ads by InstaQuick |
| Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
| Supposed Functionality | Desktop access to Instagram |
| Symptoms | Seeing advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing. Intrusive pop-up ads. Decreased Internet browsing speed. |
| Distribution Methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers. |
| Damage | Decreased computer performance, browser tracking - privacy issues, possible additional malware infections. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Malwarebytes. |
TabOptimizer, Video Ads Blocker, Image Search, Video Search, MusiCalm, and Valerie are some examples of other adware-type apps. They appear legitimate and offer a wide variety of "useful" functionalities. However, despite how handy the features may sound, they are rarely operational. In fact, this applies to practically all PUAs. The only goal of unwanted software is to generate revenue for the developers. Hence, instead of delivering on any promises, PUAs can run intrusive advert campaigns, force-open untrustworthy and malicious websites, modify browsers (browser hijackers), and collect private data.
How did InstaQuick install on my computer?
Select PUAs (e.g., InstaQuick) have "official" promotional/download webpages. These applications can also be downloaded/installed together with other software. This false marketing method of packing regular programs with unwanted or malicious additions - is named "bundling". Rushed download/installation processes (e.g., ignored terms, skipped steps, used "Easy/Express" settings, etc.) increase the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the system. Once clicked on, intrusive ads can execute scripts to stealthily download/install PUAs.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is recommended to always research software before download/installation and/or purchase. Additionally, only official and verified download channels must be used. Untrustworthy sources, e.g., unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks (Torrent clients, eMule, Gnutella, etc.), and other third-party downloaders - often offer harmful and bundled content. When downloading/installing, it is advised to read terms, study all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out from supplementary apps, tools, functions, and other additions. It is just as important to exercise caution when browsing. Intrusive advertisements appear ordinary and innocuous; however, they redirect to highly unreliable and questionable sites (e.g., gambling, adult-dating, pornography, and so on). In case of encounters with adverts and/or redirects of this type, the system must be inspected and all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - immediately removed from it. If your computer is already infected with InstaQuick, we recommend running a scan with Malwarebytes for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.
Screenshot of InstaQuick adware's installation setup:
Screenshot of the website used to promote InstaQuick adware:
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. Malwarebytes is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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Quick menu:
- What is InstaQuick?
- STEP 1. Uninstall InstaQuick application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove InstaQuick ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove 'Ads by InstaQuick' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove InstaQuick extension from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
- STEP 6. Remove InstaQuick adware from Internet Explorer.
InstaQuick adware removal:
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.
Windows XP users:
Click Start, choose Settings and click Control Panel. Locate and click Add or Remove Programs.
Windows 10 and Windows 8 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.
Mac 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 "InstaQuick", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application (which causes InstaQuick ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove InstaQuick adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, InstaQuick 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 extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and remove them.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by instaquick, 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 all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ads by instaquick 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 ads by instaquick, 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.
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 ads by instaquick, 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.
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.
Removal assistance:
If you are experiencing problems while trying to remove ads by instaquick from your computer, please ask for assistance in our malware support forum.
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Outstanding!
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