How To Remove Weknow.ac browser hijacker from Mac

Easy Guide To Delete Weknow.ac from Mac PC

Are you getting unwanted ads and redirection issues while visiting on Weknow.ac site then it is highly possibilities your System is affected by redirect virus. Is your existing antimalware tool unable to delete this infection?  If you Mac PC are infected by this notorious threat then you are highly advised to read this guide and follow the removal instructions for its removal from your PC.

What is Weknow.ac?

Weknow.ac is a fake search engine which claims to improve user’s online browsing experience by generating improved searching results. Judging at the first inspection this searching site seems so legit and useful. But unfortunately it is entirely differ from them. While users search any query on it then it shows unwanted or unrelated searching results as well as redirect users to sponsored webpage. However, it is categorized as a redirect virus by the security expert. It is created and distributed by the hacker with main aim to makes illegal money through cheat innocent users. It usually gets installed without any users consent with the spam email attachments, updating System Software, Clicking on malicious links and other tricky ways. Once installed firstly it  takes control over the target web browser of the Mac PC such as Apple, Safari, Google, Firefox,  and others. It makes the browser so strange for the users by the several alternations like as internet setting, browser setting, homepage setting and DNS setting etc.

It replaces the homepage and default search engine with fake webpage and redirecting your searches on harmful and phishing website where you can cheat easily. It also shows various kinds of unwanted and annoying advertisements like as commercial ads, pop-up ads, coupons, banners, discounts etc on the running webpage with the aim to generates web traffic as well as makes illegal revenue on pay per click methods. Clicking on those adverts might cause the installation of potentially unwanted program.

More Harmful Effects of Weknow.ac:

Moreover, Weknow.ac can install additional browser extension, plug-in, add-on, etc. It firstly disable the security and privacy on your Mac PC like as firewall, task manager, control panel and antivirus program. It creates itself duplicate files as a same name and distributed to the System files. So you will not be able to remove this infection by using regular antimalware. It can installed other harmful infections like as malware, spyware, adware and other harmful threats that cause more damage your PC. It also track users online browsing habits like as search queries, web histories, cookies and other online details as well as share them to the cyber offender for illegal use. It also generates web traffic on the running webpage to downpour surfing speed and makes your browser totally useless. Thus it is highly advice to delete Weknow.ac as quickly as possible.

Weknow.ac : Threat Analysis

Name    Weknow.ac

Type      Mac Redirect Virus

Threat Level       High

Short Description             Infect your browser, show unwanted pop-up ads, redirect your browser on potentially harmful and phishing websites.

Symptoms          Unwanted pop-ups, notifications, new tab ads, forced browser redirection on low quality websites.

Distribution Method       Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages, spam emails, cracked software,

Distribution Methods of Weknow.ac:

Like as other harmful infection Weknow.ac also distributed into the System via various intrusive methods. Some of the most common ways are given below.

• Spam email attachments: Cyber offender often sends thousands of mail which consists vicious files or suspicious links with the aim to recipient opens them. Opening files or click on suspicious links cause the infiltration of lots of infections.
• Freeware program: Mostly users download and installed freeware program from third party webpage with carelessly. During the installation some additional files and program also downloaded and installed in to the System with them without any users knowledge   that cause more infections.
• Updating System Software: Downloading and updating System Software from unknown sources and site like as download.com, download32.com etc.
• Clicking on malicious links: Clicking on malicious links even accidently cause the redirection issues and the installation of unwanted program and other harmful threats.

How To Remove Weknow.ac:

Do not open any mail which comes through unknown sender. Please verify the send name and address firstly. If any file seems suspicious do not open them without check the grammatical error and spelling mistakes. Don’t download and installed freeware program from third party site. Always use official or trustworthy site. Read the installation guide carefully till the end. Select Custom or advance options. Don’t try to update the System Software from third party site always update the System Software from relevant address. Don’t try to click on malicious and suspicious links even accidently.

How To Remove Weknow.ac Automatically:

Weknow.ac is a very nasty infection that creates itself duplicate files as a same name and distributed to the System files. So you will not be able to remove this infection by using regular antimalware. So we are highly advice use automatically removal tool to remove Weknow.ac easily and completely from your Mac PC.

Remove Files and Folders Related to Weknow.ac

Open the “Menu” bar and click the “Finder” icon. Select “Go” and click on “Go to Folder…”

Step 1: Search the suspicious and doubtful malware generated files in /Library/LaunchAgents folder

Type /Library/LaunchAgents in the “Go to Folder” option

In the “Launch Agent” folder, search for all the files that you have recently downloaded and move them to “Trash”. Few of the examples of files created by browser-hijacker or adware are as follow, “myppes.download.plist”, “mykotlerino.Itvbit.plist”, installmac.AppRemoval.plist”, and “kuklorest.update.plist” and so on.

Step 2: Detect and remove the files generated by the adware in “/Library/Application” Support folder

In the “Go to Folder..bar”, type “/Library/Application Support”

Search for any suspicious newly added folders in “Application Support” folder. If you detect any one of these like “NicePlayer” or “MPlayerX” then send them to “Trash” folder.

Step 3: Look for the files generated by malware in /Library/LaunchAgent Folder:

Go to Folder bar and type /Library/LaunchAgents

You are in the “LaunchAgents” folder. Here, you have to search for all the newly added files and move them to “Trash” if you find them suspicious. Some of the examples of suspicious files generated by malware are “myppes.download.plist”, “installmac.AppRemoved.plist”, “kuklorest.update.plist”, “mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist” and so on.

Step4: Go to /Library/LaunchDaemons Folder and search for the files created by malware

Type /Library/LaunchDaemons in the “Go To Folder” option

In the newly opened “LaunchDaemons” folder, search for any recently added suspicious files and move them to “Trash”. Examples of some of the suspicious files are “com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist”, “com.avickUpd.plist”, “com.myppes.net-preference.plist”, “com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist” and so on.

Step 5: Use Combo Cleaner Anti-Malware and Scan your Mac PC

The malware infections could be removed from the Mac PC if you execute all the steps mentioned above in the correct way. However, it is always advised to be sure that your PC is not infected. It is suggested to scan the work-station with “Combo Cleaner Anti-virus”.

Once the file gets downloaded, double click on combocleaner.dmg installer in the newly opened window. Next is to open the “Launchpad” and press on “Combo Cleaner” icon. It is advised to wait until “Combo Cleaner” updates the latest definition for malware detection. Click on “Start Combo Scan” button.

A depth scan of your Mac PC will be executed in order to detect malware. If the Anti-virus scan report says “no threat found” then you can continue with guide further. On the other hand, it is recommended to delete the detected malware infection before continuing.

Now the files and folders created by the adware is removed, you have to remove the rogue extensions from the browsers.

Remove Weknow.ac from Internet Browsers

Delete Doubtful and Malicious Extension from Safari

Go to “Menu Bar” and open “Safari” browser. Select “Safari” and then “Preferences”

In the opened “preferences” window, select “Extensions” that you have recently installed. All such extensions should be detected and click the “Uninstall” button next to it. If you are doubtful then you can remove all the extensions from “Safari” browser as none of them are important for smooth functionality of the browser.

In case if you continue facing unwanted webpage redirections or aggressive advertisements bombarding, you can reset the “Safari” browser.

“Reset Safari”

Open the Safari menu and choose “preferences…” from the drop-down menu.

Go to the “Extension” tab and set the extension slider to “Off” position. This disables all the installed extensions in the Safari browser

Next step is to check the homepage. Go to “Preferences…” option and choose “General” tab. Change the homepage to your preferred URL.

Also check the default search-engine provider settings. Go to “Preferences…” window and select the “Search” tab and select the search-engine provider that you want such as “Google”.

Next is to clear the Safari browser Cache- Go to “Preferences…” window and select “Advanced” tab and click on “Show develop menu in the menu bar.“

Go to “Develop” menu and select “Empty Caches”.

Remove website data and browsing history. Go to “Safari” menu and select “Clear History and Website Data”. Choose “all history” and then click on “Clear History”.

Remove Unwanted and Malicious Plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox

Delete Weknow.ac add-ons from Mozilla Firefox

Open the Firefox Mozilla browser. Click on the “Open Menu” present in the top right corner of the screen. From the newly opened menu, choose “Add-ons”.

Go to “Extension” option and detect all the latest installed add-ons. Select each of the suspicious add-ons and click on “Remove” button next to them.

In case if you want to “reset” the Mozilla Firefox browser then follow the steps that has been mentioned below.

Reset Mozilla Firefox Settings

Open the Firefox Mozilla browser and click on “Firefox” button situated at the top left corner of the screen.

In the new menu, go to “Help” sub-menu and choose “Troubleshooting Information”

In the “Troubleshooting Information” page, click on “Reset Firefox” button.

Confirm that you want to reset the Mozilla Firefox settings to default by pressing on “Reset Firefox” option

The browser will get restarted and the settings changes to factory default

Delete Unwanted and Malicious Extensions from Google Chrome

Open the chrome browser and click on “Chrome menu”. From the drop down option, choose “More Tools” and then “Extensions”.

In the “Extensions” option, search for all the recently installed add-ons and extensions. Select them and choose “Trash” button. Any third-party extension is not important for the smooth functionality of the browser.

Reset Google Chrome Settings

Open the browser and click on three line bar at the top right side corner of the window.

Go to the bottom of the newly opened window and select “Show advanced settings”.

In the newly opened window, scroll down to the bottom and choose “Reset browser settings”

Click on the “Reset” button on the opened “Reset browser settings” window

Restart the browser and the changes you get will be applied

The above mentioned manual process should be executed as it is mentioned. It is a cumbersome process and requires a lot of technical expertise. And hence it is advised for technical experts only. To be sure that your PC is free from malware, it is better that you scan the work-station with a powerful anti-malware tool. The automatic malware removal application is preferred because it doesn’t requires any additional technical skills and expertise.

Download the application and execute it on the PC to begin the depth scanning. Once the scanning gets completed, it shows the list of all the files related to Weknow.ac. You can select such harmful files and folders and remove them immediately.