How to remove Kensaq.com ads

Kensaq.com promotes a fake search engine created to generate revenue from clicks

Kensaq.com is a fake search engine possibly promoted by adware.^[1] It may lead users to misinformation or even dangerous pages. Crooks may be using rogue advertising networks that inject promotional links leading to scam sites. By clicking on the embedded links, fraudsters can make money through pay-per-click advertising.

People may end up on pages that try to lure out personal information, trick them into downloading PUPs (potentially unwanted programs),^[2] and even malware. If your browser is getting redirected unexpectedly to this search engine, you should scan your system for adware. 

Distribution methods

People might end up on Kensaq.com by clicking on shady links or ads. However, it is also possible that redirects to this fake search engine happen automatically, without any user input. This can happen if people are infected by adware. It is advertising-supported software that can cause an increased amount of commercial content like pop-ups, banners, and redirects.

Adware is usually spread through freeware distribution platforms. They include additional programs in the installers that monetize user activity without disclosing it clearly. You should pay close attention during the installation process. Always choose the “Custom” and “Advanced” installation methods, read the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. The most important step is to check the file list and untick the boxes next to any unrelated applications.

Of course, it is best to use official web stores and developer websites whenever you want to install software. It might get costly but you should save in the long run by keeping your system running smoothly. Apps that get listed on official marketplaces have to go through an extensive review process.

Remove recently installed software

If you have installed any programs from unofficial sources recently, we suggest removing them to see if the unwanted symptoms disappear. You may have adware installed in your system that causes redirects to Kensaq.com. If you do not know how you can follow instructions for Windows and Mac machines:

Windows

• Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
• Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
• From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
• Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
• If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
• Wait till the uninstallation process is complete and click OK.

macOS

1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
2. In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
3. Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)

To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:

1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
2. Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
3. In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
4. Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.

Clear your browsers from cookies and cache

The main purpose of adware is to get people to click on ads and install other PUAs or malware but they can also collect browsing-related information with cookies which are small data files stored on your device. Inherently, they are not bad. They provide the ability for websites and web-based applications to personalize the user experience.

The problem emerges when cookies are used by bad actors. The collected data can be sold to third parties, and advertising networks, which can use them to target you with ads even more. If the pages you visit or plugins you use do not have strong security measures in place, cookies can even be hijacked^[3] and used for malicious purposes.

Those small data files can contain information like your IP address, the websites you visit, links you click on, and things you purchase online. That is why it is so important to clean cookies and cache regularly to avoid this information landing in the wrong hands. To avoid a lengthy process, we recommend using a maintenance utility like FortectIntego. Besides that, it can fix various system errors, registry issues, and corrupted files which is especially useful after a virus infection.

Google Chrome

• Click on Menu and pick Settings.
• Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
• Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
• Click Clear data.

Mozilla Firefox

• Click Menu and pick Options.
• Go to Privacy & Security section.
• Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
• Click on Clear Data…
• Select Cookies and Site Data, as well as Cached Web Content and press Clear.

MS Edge (Chromium)

• Click on Menu and go to Settings.
• Select Privacy and services.
• Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
• Under Time range, pick All time.
• Select Clear now.

MS Edge (legacy)

• Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
• Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
• Select everything (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.

Safari

• Click Safari > Clear History…
• From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
• Confirm with Clear History.

In some cases, fake search engines can be added by malicious browser extensions that act as browser hijackers. If you still experience unwanted symptoms after completing the guide, you should check your add-on list and remove the extensions one by one to see if you notice any changes. You can find the instructions for this step at the bottom of this post.