Weknow.ac Redirect (Mac)
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is weknow.ac?
Similar to chumsearch.com, weknow.ac is a fake web search engine that supposedly enhances the browsing experience by generating improved results.
Judging on appearance alone, weknow.ac may seem legitimate and useful, however, this site is promoted using rogue download/installation set-ups that modify browser options without permission. Furthermore, weknow.ac continually records information relating to users' Internet browsing activity.
Rogue set-ups target Safari, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome. Following infiltration, they assign the new tab URL, default search engine and homepage browser options to weknow.ac These changes may seem insignificant, but users are unable to revert them. Set-ups install a number of third party applications and browser plug-ins (so-called "helper objects").
These apps/add-ons are used to reassign browser options when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, returning browsers to their previous states becomes impossible and users are encouraged to visit weknow.ac when they open a new browser tab or search via the URL bar. This significantly diminishes the web browsing experience.
Information tracking is also a problem. Research shows that "helper objects" and weknow.ac continually record information relating to browsing activity. Collected data (IP addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, etc.) is often shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
These people misuse private information to generate revenue. Therefore, data tracking can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. If you encounter redirects to weknow.ac, immediately eliminate all dubious applications and browser plug-ins. Never return to this website.
| Name | weknow.ac browser hijacker |
| Threat Type | Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection names (unwanted application promoting weknow.ac) | Avast (MacOS:Bundlore-AT [Adw]), BitDefender (Adware.MAC.Generic.10169), Kaspersky (not-a-virus:HEUR:Downloader.Bundlore.a), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Symptoms | Your Mac became slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you get redirected to shady websites. |
| Distribution methods | Potentially unwanted applications,, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers, torrent file downloads. |
| Damage | Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), redirects to shady websites, loss of private information. |
| Malware Removal (Mac) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
The Internet is full of fake web search engines that share similarities with weknow.ac including g-search.pro, search.altagit.com, and search.stosgame.com - these are just some examples from many.
By offering improved results and various other "useful features", fake search engines attempt to give the impression of legitimacy, however, these sites have only one real purpose: to generate revenue for the developers. Rather than giving any real value for regular users, sites such as weknow.ac cause unwanted redirects and gather sensitive information.
Some even generate false results and intrusive advertisements that lead to gambling, adult dating, pornography, and other dubious websites. Therefore, using fake search engines can result in various computer infections.
How did weknow.ac install on my computer?
As mentioned above, weknow.ac is promoted using browser-hijacking download/installation set-ups. This marketing method is called "bundling". Developers know that users often rush download/installation processes and skip steps.
Therefore, all information regarding modification of browser settings is hidden within "Custom/Advanced" options (or other sections) of the download/installation processes. By rushing and skipping steps, many users inadvertently grant set-ups permission to perform changes, thus exposing their systems to risk of various infections and compromising their privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
The main reasons for computer infections are poor knowledge and careless behavior. The key to safety is caution. Therefore, pay close attention when browsing the Internet and downloading/installing software. Carefully analyze each window of the download/installation dialogs and opt-out of all additionally-included programs.
You are advised to download your programs from official sources only, using direct download links. Third party downloaders/installers often include rogue apps, and thus these tools should not be used.
Furthermore, potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) are distributed using intrusive advertisements that redirect to malicious sites and execute scripts designed to download PUPs/malware.
Most of these ads may seem legitimate, but they typically lead to dubious websites (gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.) Research shows they are typically delivered by adware-type PUPs. If you experience suspicious redirects, immediately eliminate all dubious applications and browser plug-ins.
If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker and others.
Screenshot of weknow.ac browser hijacker's extension in Safari:
Fake Adobe Flash Player installer pop-up promoting installation of weknow.ac browser hijacker:
Fake flash player setup installing weknow.ac browser hijacker and Advanced Mac Cleaner PUP on user's Mac:
Another deceptive installer used to promote weknow.ac fake web search engine:
IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups that promote the weknow.ac website are designed to create a new device profile. Therefore, before taking any further removal steps, perform these actions:
1) Click the "Preferences" icon in the menu bar and select "Profiles"
2) Select the "AdminPrefs" profile and delete it.
3) Perform a full system scan with Combo Cleaner anti-virus suite.
After performing these actions, you can proceed with further removal steps for this browser hijacker.
Instant automatic Mac 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 Mac malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner for Mac
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. Limited seven 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 weknow.ac?
- STEP 1. Remove weknow.ac related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove weknow.ac redirect from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove weknow.ac browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove weknow.ac homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove weknow.ac browser hijacker from a Mac computer:
weknow.ac redirect removal:
Remove weknow.ac-related potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:
Click the Finder icon. In the Finder window, select “Applications”. In the applications folder, look for “MPlayerX”,“NicePlayer”, or other suspicious applications and drag them to the Trash. After removing the potentially unwanted application(s) that cause online ads, scan your Mac for any remaining unwanted components.
Remove browser hijacker-related files and folders
Click the Finder icon from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...
Check for browser hijacker generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/
In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by browser hijackers - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Browser hijacker commonly installs several files with the exact same string.
Check for browser hijacker generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/
In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.
Check for browser hijacker generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/
In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by browser hijackers - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Browser hijacker commonly installs several files with the exact same string.
Check for browser hijacker generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:
In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/
In the "LaunchDaemons" folder, look for recently-added suspicious files. For example "com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist", "com.myppes.net-preferences.plist", "com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist", "com.avickUpd.plist", etc., and move them to the Trash.
Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:
If you have followed all the steps correctly, your Mac should be clean of infections. To ensure your system is not infected, run a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus. Download it HERE. After downloading the file, double click combocleaner.dmg installer. In the opened window, drag and drop the Combo Cleaner icon on top of the Applications icon. Now open your launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon. Wait until Combo Cleaner updates its virus definition database and click the "Start Combo Scan" button.
Combo Cleaner will scan your Mac for malware infections. If the antivirus scan displays "no threats found" - this means that you can continue with the removal guide; otherwise, it's recommended to remove any found infections before continuing.
After removing files and folders generated by the browser hijackers, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.
Remove browser hijackers from Internet browsers
Remove Safari browser hijackers:
Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".
In the preferences window, select "Extensions" and look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions. When located, click the "Uninstall" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Safari browser - none are crucial for regular browser operation.
Change your homepage:
In the "Preferences" window, select the "General" tab. To set your homepage, type the preferred website URL (for example: www.google.com) in the Homepage field. You can also click the "Set to Current Page" button if you wish to set your homepage to the website you are currently visiting.
Change your default search engine:
In the "Preferences" window, select the "Search" tab. Here you will find a drop-down menu labeled "Search engine:" Simply select your preferred search engine from the drop-down list.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.
Remove Google Chrome browser hijackers:
Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable the malicious extension (if present), look for a browser hijacker URL below the "Open a specific or set of pages" option. If present, click on the three vertical dots icon and select "Remove".
Change your default search engine:
To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for a browser hijacker URL, when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window) and select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".
Change your homepage
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable malicious extension (if present), remove the browser hijacker URL and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.
Change your default search engine:
In the URL address bar, type "about:config" and press Enter. Click "Accept the Risk and Continue".
In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled". Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the 
button.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.
Outstanding!
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