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Shortcutcommander.club Redirect (Mac)

Also Known As: Shortcut Commander browser hijacker
Type: Mac Virus
Damage level: Medium

What is shortcutcommander.club?

shortcutcommander.club is a fake search engine that supposedly enhances the browsing experience by generating improved results. This functionality may seem legitimate and useful, however, developers typically promote shortcutcommander.club using a fake Adobe Flash Player updater. Furthermore, this site potentially gathers information relating to browsing activity.

shortcutcommander.club browser hijacker on a Mac computer

shortcutcommander.club is promoted via an updater that is known to proliferate a number of other fake search engines and potentially unwanted applications (adware, browser hijackers, etc.) including weknow.ac, MyShopcoupon, Mac Mechanic, Advanced Mac Cleaner, and Mac Cleanup Pro

This updater hijacks popular web browsers (Safari, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox) and assigns shortcutcommander.club as the new tab URL, homepage, and default search engine. These changes may seem significant, but users are unable to revert them, since the setup is also designed to infiltrate a number of "helper objects".

These are essentially third party applications/browser extensions that reassign modified settings when attempts are made to change them. At time of research, this helper object was named "Shortcut Commander". This deceptive add-on supposedly allows users to create shortcuts to websites, whereas its main goal is to prevent users from reverting changes.

Ultimately, users are encouraged to visit shortcutcommander.club when they open a new browser tab or search via the URL bar. These redirects significantly diminish the browsing experience. After entering a search query into shortcutcommander.club, users encounter a chain redirect (shortcutcommander.club->trovi.com->bing.com).

Therefore, users end up searching the web via Bing (a legitimate web search engine). This makes shortcutcommander.club useless and redundant. Furthermore, shortcutcommander.club, "helper objects", and many potentially unwanted applications/fake search engines gather information relating to browsing activity.

The list of collected data usually includes IP addresses, search queries, keystrokes, URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, and so on. This recorded information is later shared with third parties and misused to generate revenue. Therefore, information tracking can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft.

If you are encountering redirects to shortcutcommander.club, immediately remove all suspicious applications/browser plug-ins and never return to this site.

Threat Summary:
Name Shortcut Commander browser hijacker
Threat Type Mac malware, Mac virus
Symptoms Your Mac became slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you get redirected to shady websites.
Distribution methods Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers, torrent file downloads.
Damage Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, 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.
▼ 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.

There are hundreds of fake search engines similar to shortcutcommander.club. The list of examples includes (but is not limited to) search.globalsearch.pw, feed.maconomi.com, search.fastsearch.me, and unisearchweb.com.

All claim to enhance the browsing experience by generating improved search results and, in some cases, providing other "useful features" (shortcuts to popular websites, local weather forecasts, local/worldwide news, etc.), however, these claims are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy.

In most cases, fake search engines provide no real value for regular users. These sites cause unwanted redirects and gather sensitive information, thereby diminishing the browsing experience, and posing a direct threat to your privacy. Some are also designed to feed users with misleading results and intrusive advertisements.

These often lead to dubious (potentially malicious) websites. Therefore, using fake search engines might result in system infections.

How did shortcutcommander.club install on my computer?

As mentioned above, shortcutcommander.club is mainly promoted using a fake Adobe Flash Player updater. This deceptive marketing method is called "bundling". Developers know that users often rush download/installation processes and skip steps.

Therefore, "bundled" applications and details of browser modifications are hidden within "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other sections) of the download/installation processes. By skipping download/installation steps, many users grant set-ups permission to modify browser settings, expose their systems to risk of various infections, and compromise their privacy.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

To prevent this situation, be very cautious during the downloading/installation processes and browsing the Internet. Carefully analyze each window of the download/installation dialogs using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings. Opt-out of additionally-included applications and decline offers to download/install them.

Avoid using third party downloaders/installers, since developers monetize them by promoting ("bundling") rogue applications.

Software should be downloaded from official sources only, using direct download links. Potentially unwanted applications are often distributed via intrusive advertisements that redirect to malicious sites and run scripts designed to download/install PUAs (or even high-risk malware).

Most seem legitimate, but they are likely to redirect to gambling, adult dating, pornography, and other dubious websites. They are typically delivered by adware-type apps. If you experience suspicious redirects, remove all dubious applications and browser plug-ins.

The key to computer safety is caution. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.

Deceptive application installer promoting shortcutcommander.club:

Delusive installer used to promote shortcutcommander.club

Shortcut Commander extension in Safari web browser:

Shortcut Commander in Safari

Appearance of Shortcut Commander extension:

Shortcut Commander browser extension

IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps that promote the shortcutcommander.club 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".

shortcutcommander.club preferences step 1

2) Select the "AdminPrefs" profile and delete it.

shortcutcommander.club preferences step 2

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:

Video showing how to remove shortcutcommander.club redirect using Combo Cleaner:

shortcutcommander.club redirect removal:

Remove shortcutcommander.club-related potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:

mac browser hijacker removal from 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

Mac Go To Folder step

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

Mac removing related files and folders - step 1Check for browser hijacker generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

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.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 2Check for browser hijacker generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 2

In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 3Check for browser hijacker generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

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.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 4Check for browser hijacker generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 1

In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 2

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.

Mac removing malware related files and folders - step 5Scan 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.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 1

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.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 2

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

Safari iconRemove Safari browser hijackers:

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 1

Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 2

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:

Change Safari 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:

Change Safari 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.

Google Chrome logoRemove Google Chrome browser hijackers:

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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".

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 2

Change your homepage

Change Google Chrome homepage

Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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:

Change Google Chrome default search engine

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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.

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 1

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (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".

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 2

Change your homepage

Change Mozilla Firefox homepage

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (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:

Change Mozilla Firefox default search engine - step 1

In the URL address bar, type "about:config" and press Enter. Click "Accept the Risk and Continue".

Change Mozilla Firefox default search engine - step 2

In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled". Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the Mozilla Firefox switch about:config entry button button.

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

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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Removal Instructions in other languages
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

QR Code
Shortcut Commander browser hijacker QR code
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