How to remove ProgressHelper adware from the operating system

What is ProgressHelper?

ProgressHelper is an adware-type application with browser hijacker traits. It operates by running intrusive advertisement campaigns, making modifications to browser settings and promoting fake search engines. ProgressHelper promotes 0yrvtrh.com on Safari browsers and search.adjustablesample.com on Google Chrome browsers.

Most adware-type apps and browser hijackers also monitor users' browsing activity. Due to the dubious techniques used to proliferate ProgressHelper, it is classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

Adware enables the placement of pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys, full-page and other intrusive advertisements, typically, on any visited website. These ads significantly diminish the browsing experience, as they restrict browsing speed and overlay web page content.

Furthermore, when clicked, intrusive ads redirect to various dubious/malicious sites, and some can even stealthily download/install rogue software (e.g. PUAs). Browser hijackers reassign the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs.

Therefore, with this software installed, new browser tabs/windows opened and web searches made via the URL bar redirect to the promoted address. ProgressHelper also makes these modifications to browsers, which cause the previously described redirects.

On Safari browsers, this app promotes 0yrvtrh.com, and on Google Chrome, search.adjustablesample.com. Fake search engines are seldom able to generate unique results, and so they tend to redirect to Yahoo, Bing, Google and other legitimate sites.

As mentioned, most PUAs have data tracking capabilities, which are used to monitor/record browsing activity. Information of interest includes browsing and search engine histories, IP addresses, geolocations, and other personally identifiable details. The gathered data is then shared with and/or sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

In summary, the presence of unwanted software on devices can result in system infections, financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft. To ensure device and user safety, it is crucial to remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins without delay.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by ProgressHelper
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-L [Adw]), Sophos AV (AdLoad (PUA)), 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.

FrequencySkill, AssistiveDisplaySearch and DesktopCoordinator are some examples of other adware-type apps. They may seem legitimate and offer a broad range of "useful" functionality, however, the features promised rarely work as advertised and, in most cases, do not work at all.

This applies to most PUAs. The sole purpose of this unwanted software is to generate profit for the developers. Regular users receive no genuine value and can instead experience serious problems. PUAs deliver intrusive ad campaigns, hijack browsers, cause redirects and collect private information.

How did ProgressHelper install on my computer?

PUAs are often downloaded/installed with other products. This deceptive marketing method of packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions is termed "bundling". Rushing downloads/installations (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps, used "Quick/Express" settings, etc.) increases the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the system.

Certain PUAs have "official" download web pages. Intrusive advertisements proliferate these applications as well. Once clicked, the ads 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 and/or purchase. All downloads must be done from official and verified sources. Dubious channels such as unofficial and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks (BitTorrent, Gnutella, eMule, etc.) and other third party downloaders commonly offer deceptive and bundled content.

When downloading/installing, you are advised to read the terms, explore all available options, use the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings and opt-out of supplementary apps, tools, features, etc. Intrusive ads may seem legitimate and harmless, however, they can redirect to dubious pages (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and so on).

If you encounter ads or redirects of this kind, check all devices and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with ProgressHelper, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once ProgressHelper adware installation is complete:

Appearance of ProgressHelper promoting 0yrvtrh.com (GIF):

Appearance of ProgressHelper promoting search.adjustablesample.com (GIF):

ProgressHelper adware installed onto the Safari browser:

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

Video showing how to remove ProgressHelper adware using Combo Cleaner:

ProgressHelper adware removal:

Remove ProgressHelper-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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