How to uninstall ValueKnow adware

What is ValueKnow?

ValueKnow is a potentially unwanted application (PUA) classified as adware. Generally, adware-type applications generate revenue for the developers by feeding users with advertisements. This particular app is also capable of accessing and collecting various information.

It promotes the Safe Finder website by opening it through akamaihd.net. ValueKnow and other similar apps are classified as PUAs, since people tend to download and install them unintentionally.

Do not download or install ValueKnow, since it can read sensitive information from browsers. It targets data such as passwords, telephone numbers, credit card details and other confidential information. Commonly, apps of this type also gather browsing data (e.g., IP addresses, geolocations, entered search queries, addresses of visited pages, etc.).

Developers misuse the information by selling it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals), making fraudulent purchases, transactions, stealing identities, accounts, etc.

People who have ValueKnow installed on browsers and operating systems might suffer financial loss, problems relating to browsing safety, online privacy, and they might become victims of identity theft and experience other serious problems.

Another reason to avoid these apps is that they feed users with intrusive ads, which are usually displayed in the form of coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups, and so on. People who click these advertisements arrive at untrusted websites or cause inadvertent download/installation of other PUAs.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by ValueKnow
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Adload-AD [Trj]), AVG (MacOS:Adload-AD [Trj]), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/TrojanDownloader.Adload.AE), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Cimpli.k), Full List (VirusTotal)
Additional Information	This application belongs to the Adload malware family.
Symptoms	Your Mac becomes slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you are redirected to dubious websites.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers, torrent file downloads.
Damage	Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious 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. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner for Mac 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.

Applications such as ValueKnow are often advertised as useful, legitimate applications that supposedly improve the browsing experience, deliver various features, etc. In fact, they are useless and simply cause problems. Therefore, if adware is installed on the browser and/or operating system, removed it immediately.

Some examples of other adware-type apps are UpgradeAssist, GeneralLaunch and EssentialPanel.

How did ValueKnow install on my computer?

People often download and install adware or other PUAs unintentionally by clicking deceptive advertisements or when the apps are included into the set-ups of other programs as "additional offers". These offers to download and install additional apps are hidden in "Custom", "Advanced" or similar settings of the software set-ups.

Many users download and install their programs without checking and changing the settings, thereby also allowing PUAs to be downloaded and installed. Additionally, PUAs are downloaded and installed when people click deceptive advertisements that run certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Unwanted downloads and installations can be avoided by downloading programs only from official websites and via direct links. Do not use third party downloaders, installers, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule), dubious websites or other similar channels.

Check "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings of the download/installation setup and decline offers to download or install additionally-included software. Never click ads that appear on dubious web pages, since they often cause redirects to untrusted and potentially malicious websites or download/installation of PUAs.

Remove any unwanted applications (extensions, plug-ins, add-ons) already installed on the browser immediately. The same applies to programs of this kind that are installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with ValueKnow, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once ValueKnow installation is complete:

ValueKnow redirecting users to Safe Finder website via akamaihd.net:

Rogue installer ('cracking' tool) which is designed to install ValueKnow:

Another rogue installer used to promote ValueKnow adware:

ValueKnow installed on Safari:

ValueKnow installation folder and its contents:

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 ValueKnow?
• STEP 1. Remove ValueKnow related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove ValueKnow ads from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove ValueKnow adware from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove ValueKnow ads from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove ValueKnow adware using Combo Cleaner:

ValueKnow adware removal:

Remove ValueKnow-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 adware-related files and folders

Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...

Check for adware 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 adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for adware 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 adware 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 adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for adware 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 adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers

Remove malicious Safari extensions:

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.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

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 extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

• 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".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

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