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How to uninstall ValueKnow adware

Also Known As: Ads by ValueKnow
Type: Mac Virus
Damage level: Medium

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.

ValueKnow adware

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:

pop-up displayed once ValueKnow installation is done

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

ValueKnow redirecting users to Safe Finder website via akamaihd.net

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

valueknow adware rogue installer

Another rogue installer used to promote ValueKnow adware:

ValueKnow adware-promoting installer

ValueKnow installed on Safari:

valueknow adware safari extension

ValueKnow installation folder and its contents:

valueknow adware folder

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 ValueKnow adware using Combo Cleaner:

ValueKnow adware removal:

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

Mac removing related files and folders - step 2Check for adware 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 adware 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 adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 4Check for adware 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 adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers

Safari iconRemove malicious Safari extensions:

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.

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

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

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

  • 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

  • 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
Ads by ValueKnow QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of Ads by ValueKnow on your mobile device.
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