How to uninstall DefaultProgress adware from your operating system

What is DefaultProgress?

DefaultProgress is rogue software classified as adware and also possessing browser hijacker traits. Following successful installation, this application runs intrusive advertisement campaigns (i.e. delivers various ads), makes changes to browser settings and promotes fake search engines.

DefaultProgress promotes 56d2n4d.com on Safari browsers and search.adjustablesample.com on Google Chrome browsers. Due to the dubious techniques used to proliferate DefaultProgress, it is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA). Furthermore, most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) monitor users' browsing activity.

Adware enables the placement of pop-ups, banners, coupons, full-page and other intrusive advertisements, typically, on any visited website. Therefore, the ads do not originate from the actual sites, but are delivered by adware installed on the device. Intrusive ads significantly diminish the browsing experience, as they overlay web page content and reduce browsing speed.

Additionally, when clicked, they redirect to various dubious/malicious websites and some can even stealthily download/install rogue software (e.g. PUAs). Browser hijackers assign the addresses of fake search engines as the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs.

With this software installed, each new browser tab/window opened and search query typed into the URL bar redirects to the promoted search engine. DefaultProgress promotes 56d2n4d.com (on Safari) and search.adjustablesample.com (on Google Chrome) in this manner.

Fake search engines are seldom capable of providing unique results, and so they redirect to Google, Yahoo, Bing and other legitimate sites. Browser hijackers can also restrict/deny access to the browser settings and/or undo any permitted changes made.

As mentioned, most PUAs have data tracking capabilities. They can record browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and collect personal information (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). This sensitive 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, all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be removed without delay.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by DefaultProgress
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 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.

SignalBalance, ProgressHelper, SkilledSystem, and FrequencySkill are some examples of other adware-type apps. They may seem normal and innocuous, and users are often enticed into download/installation with offers of "useful" functionality. The features are rarely operational and, even if they do work, it is not as advertised.

In fact, this applies to most PUAs. The only purpose of these unwanted applications is to generate revenue for the developers. Rather than delivering any real value, PUAs run intrusive advertisement campaigns, hijack browsers, cause redirects and gather personally identifiable information.

How did DefaultProgress install on my computer?

PUAs are often downloaded/installed with other software. This deceptive marketing method of packing regular products with unwanted or malicious additions is called "bundling". Rushing download/installation processes (e.g. skipping steps and sections, using "Easy/Express" settings, etc.) increases the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the system.

Intrusive ads proliferate these applications as well. Once clicked, they can execute scripts to download/install PUAs without users' permission. Some PUAs have "official" download web pages.

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, since untrusted channels including unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders can offer deceptive and/or bundled content.

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

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

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

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

Appearance of DefaultProgress promoting 56d2n4d.com (GIF):

DefaultProgress adware installed onto the Safari browser:

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

Video showing how to remove DefaultProgress adware using Combo Cleaner:

DefaultProgress adware removal:

Remove DefaultProgress-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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