Weknow.ac Mac Browser Hijacker
Weknow dot ac is the name of a browser hijacker and potentially unwanted application that you may have on your Mac computer, even though you may not remember ever installing it.
Potentially unwanted software and apps fall within an area that lies between legitimate applications and truly dangerous malware such as viruses, Trojans or ransomware. While potentially unwanted applications don't exhibit the same elevated threat level that is associated with full-blown malware, they will usually impair the way your system functions or the way you browse the Internet and your user experience will be diminished, hence their name.
Weknow dot ac is a browser hijacker that may plant itself into any browser you use, whether this is Chrome, Firefox or the Safari app that comes with your MacOS. Once installed, Weknow dot ac will replace your browser's home page and default search engine without asking for user permission. From this point on, your search queries will be accessible to Weknow and your search result pages will likely be heavily laced with unsolicited advertising that would not be there if you use a normal search engine such as Google or Bing.
The fact that the application makes changes to your browser without asking for permission is enough to classify Weknow dot ac as a potentially unwanted app.
The way Weknow dot ac is most commonly distributed is through fake updates for popular apps such as the Adobe Flash Player. However, users should be aware that Adobe discontinued all support for the Flash Player and all major browsers have completely stopped supporting the Flash Player plugin for security reasons starting in early 2021.
Another common distribution vector for potentially unwanted apps such as Weknow dot ac are bundle installers. This is the name given to software bundles that contain multiple apps, one of which will usually be legitimate and desirable. However, the bundle will almost always include additional apps whose presence and installation are very poorly disclosed and they usually end up on users' computers without the user's knowledge.
This is why it's important to always source your applications and installers from trustworthy sources that have good curation, such as the official App Store or the official website of an app's developer or publisher. While free download websites may have appealing offers, not all of them are as strictly curated and similar installer bundles that carry potentially unwanted applications in them are not uncommon when using those sites.
Make sure to always read all information available in the installer and always choose "custom install" when possible, to see all the contents of a bundle installer if you absolutely must use one. This will significantly reduce the risk of a potentially unwanted app ending up on your computer.
