How to remove ProgressExpert adware from the operating system

What is ProgressExpert?

ProgressExpert is an adware-type app that has browser hijacker characteristics. It operates by running intrusive advertisement campaigns, making modifications to browser settings and promoting a fake search engine. ProgressExpert promotes Safe Finder through akamaihd.net.

Additionally, most adware programs and browser hijackers have data tracking capabilities employed to monitor users' browsing activity. Due to the questionable tactics used to distribute ProgressExpert, it is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

Adware enables the placement of third party graphical content, frequently on any visited website. Software under this classification delivers pop-ups, surveys, coupons, banners and other intrusive advertisements. These ads overlay web pages and reduce browsing speed.

When clicked, intrusive advertisements redirect to various untrusted and malicious websites, and some can even execute scripts to stealthily download/install rogue content (e.g. PUAs). Browser hijackers modify browsers by reassigning the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs to the addresses of bogus search engines.

Fake search engines have no genuine value, as they usually cannot provide unique results - they tend to redirect to Google, Yahoo, Bing and other legitimate sites. ProgressExpert promotes Safe Finder (via akamaihd.net) in this manner. Furthermore, browser hijackers can limit or deny access to the affected browser's settings and/or undo any permitted changes made.

Therefore, to recover a hijacker browser, the software responsible (in this case, ProgressExpert) must be removed. Furthermore, most unwanted applications can track data, and it is highly likely that ProgressExpert has such capabilities as well.

PUAs can record browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and collect sensitive information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details).

The collected data often contains personally identifiable information, which is typically monetized by PUA developers by sharing it with and/or selling it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) also seeking to misuse it for financial gain.

Therefore, the presence of unwanted apps on devices can result in system infections, financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft. To ensure device integrity and user safety, remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by ProgressExpert
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Additional Information	This application belongs to 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.

HermesLookup, UniversalWebResults, CapitalCharacterSearch and PanelNotes are some examples of other adware-type apps. They may seem to be legitimate and useful software, and people are often enticed into download/installation with offers of of "useful" features.

In fact, the functionality promised is seldom operational. This is common to all PUAs. The only purpose of these unwanted applications is to generate profit for the developers. Rather than delivering any real value, PUAs deliver intrusive ad campaigns, modify browsers, cause redirects and track private information.

How did ProgressExpert install on my computer?

PUAs can be downloaded/installed together other products. This deceptive marketing technique of packing normal software with unwanted or malicious additions is called "bundling".

When downloading/installing, ignoring terms, skipping steps and sections, using pre-set options or otherwise rushing through these processes increases the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content onto devices. Some PUAs have "official" promotional web pages, from which they can be downloaded.

Intrusive advertisements can infiltrate these applications into systems as well. Once clicked, they can execute scripts to download/install PUAs without users' permission.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are advised to research all products, prior to download/installation or purchase. Perform all downloads from official and verified sources.

Untrusted channels such as unofficial and free file-hosting (freeware) websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks (BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.) and other third party downloaders can offer deceptive or bundled content, and should thus be avoided. Treat download and installation processes with caution.

Read the terms, study all available options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of supplementary apps, tools, functions and other additions. Exercise caution when browsing. Intrusive ads may seem legitimate and harmless, however, they can redirect to dubious sites (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).

If you encounter these ads/redirects, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with ProgressExpert, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once ProgressExpert installation is complete:

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

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

Video showing how to remove ProgressExpert adware using Combo Cleaner:

ProgressExpert adware removal:

Remove ProgressExpert-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.

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