Remove PremiumForward adware from web browsers

What is PremiumForward?

PremiumForward supposedly helps users to search by providing accurate results, faster searches, etc. In fact, this application is classified as adware. Apps of this type feed users with intrusive, often deceptive advertisements and gather personal details.

When installed on Safari, this particular app forces users to visit lkysearchex21307-a.akamaihd[.]net, the address of an untrustworthy web page. Generally, people do not install adware intentionally and, for this reason, PremiumForward is classed as a potentially unwanted application (PUA).

People who have PremiumForward installed on their browsers are forced to see various advertisements. Typically, software of this type displays intrusive ads in the form of coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups, etc. If clicked, these often redirect people to dubious, untrustworthy websites.

They are sometimes designed to run scripts that cause download or installation of other PUAs, or even malicious programs. Furthermore, PremiumForward gathers various data. Apps such as this often record IP addresses, geolocations, addresses of visited websites, entered search queries, and so on.

Research shows that PremiumForward can access information from web pages such as passwords, telephone numbers, and credit card details. Adware developers share the information with other parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by PremiumForward
Threat Type	Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names (PremiumForward.app.zip)	Full List (VirusTotal)
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.

PremiumForward is virtually identical to a number of other adware-type apps including, for example, SystemJump, BrowserToday, and CoordinatorLinks.

In most cases, developers present them as useful, legitimate applications, but having them installed can cause privacy issues, problems with browsing safety, or even more serious problems such as identity theft. PUAs provide no value and do not operate as advertised.

How did PremiumForward install on my computer?

Generally, users download and install PUAs such as PremiumForward inadvertently. These unwanted downloads/installations are often caused by clicking deceptive advertisements, however, another popular way to distribute unwanted apps is by including them into the set-ups of other software.

This distribution method is known as "bundling". In most cases, developers hide additionally-included apps in settings such as "Advanced", "Custom", and so on. PUAs are often granted permission to be downloaded and installed with other, regular software when people leave these settings unchanged.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Download software only from official websites and using direct download links. It is not safe to download or install using third party downloaders, installers, torrent clients, eMule (and other Peer-to-Peer networks), dubious, unofficial websites, and so on.

Check "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings that are included in the set-ups and opt-out of any offers to download or install additional, unwanted apps. Do not trust intrusive advertisements. When clicked, they usually redirect to untrustworthy websites or run scripts that download or install unwanted programs.

To stop the browser from causing unwanted redirects and/or displaying ads, remove all unwanted extensions, plug-ins, and add-ons that are installed. Also remove programs of this kind from the operating system. If your computer is already infected with PremiumForward, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once PremiumForward installation is complete:

PremiumForward installed on Safari:

 PremiumForward installation 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:

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

Video showing how to remove PremiumForward adware using Combo Cleaner:

PremiumForward adware removal:

Remove PremiumForward-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.

▼ Show Discussion