How to remove the ProgressTrend application

What is ProgressTrend?

In most cases, users download and install apps like ProgressTrend unintentionally.

Therefore, this and other apps of this type (adware/browser hijackers) are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs). ProgressTrend is designed to change certain browser settings, promote the Safe Finder website (by opening it through akamaihd.net), and display various advertisements. It can also read personal, sensitive information.

Some examples of ads displayed by ProgressTrend (and similar apps) are coupons, banners, pop-ups, and surveys. When users click the ads, they arrive at dubious websites or inadvertently allow the ads to execute certain scripts, which then cause download/installation of PUAs.

Furthermore, ProgressTrend has browser hijacker characteristics - it promotes the address of a fake search engine by assigning it as the address of the homepage, default search engine, and new tab. In this way, it forces users to visit a specific address when they open a browser, new tab, or enter search queries into the URL bar.

Note that most apps of this type prevent users from modifying the aforementioned settings (changing the promoted address to their preferred URL). Users can stop the hijacked browser from opening these bogus addresses only by uninstalling the potentially unwanted app (in this case, ProgressTrend).

Furthermore, ProgressTrend can read sensitive information such as credit card details, passwords, telephone numbers and other data of this kind. These information can be misused to make fraudulent purchases and transactions, and to steal identities and accounts. It might also be sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

Additionally, ProgressTrend might be capable of gathering browsing data (e.g., addresses of visited pages, entered search queries, IP addresses, geolocations). Having ProgressTrend installed on the browsers and/or computers can thus lead to problems such as identity theft, monetary loss, issues relating to browsing safety, online privacy, and other problems.

Therefore, do not trust ProgressTrend. If this app is already installed, remove it immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by ProgressTrend
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-L [Adw]), AVG (MacOS:AdAgent-L [Adw]), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.C), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.i), 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.

ProgressTrend is virtually identical to many other apps of this type including, for example, IdeaReference, GeneralCache, and MapperObject.

Generally, apps that are classified as adware often serve various advertisements, however, some (including ProgressTrend) also gather information and hijack browsers. In any case, these apps should never be installed, since most are useless and can cause serious issues.

How did ProgressTrend install on my computer?

Commonly, PUAs are distributed using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". I.e., by including them into the download and/or installation set-ups of other programs. These apps are included as 'additional offers', and in most cases are listed in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings.

Many users fail to check and change these settings when they download and install their programs. When they leave the default settings unchanged, they agree with offers to download and install PUAs. Sometimes unintentional downloads and installations are caused by clicking deceptive ads that execute certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Do not download any programs or files from unofficial websites, through third party downloaders, Peer-to-Peer networks such as torrent clients, eMule, etc. Also avoid third party installers.

You are advised to download software and files only from official pages and through direct links. Check "Advanced", "Custom" and other settings and decline offers to download or install additionally-included, unwanted apps.

Do not click intrusive advertisements that appear on dubious web pages, since these can open potentially malicious web pages or even cause unwanted downloads/installations. Remove any suspicious extensions, plug-ins and add-ons installed on the browser, and programs of this type installed on the computer.

If your computer is already infected with ProgressTrend, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once ProgressTrend installation is complete:

ProgressTrend redirecting users to the Safe Finder website via akamaihd.net:

ProgressTrend adware installed on Safari

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

Video showing how to remove ProgressTrend adware using Combo Cleaner:

ProgressTrend adware removal:

Remove ProgressTrend-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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