How to remove ProcessorProgression adware from the operating system
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is ProcessorProgression?
ProcessorProgression is an application that our research team found while looking through new submissions on VirusTotal. Following our inspection of this app, we determined that it operates as advertising-supported software (adware) and belongs to the AdLoad malware family.
ProcessorProgression adware overview
Adware is designed to run intrusive advertisement campaigns (i.e., display adverts). The delivered advertisements promote untrustworthy/harmful websites and software, online scams, and even malware. Some intrusive ads are capable of stealthily downloading/installing software.
Note that any legitimate products encountered via these advertisements are unlikely to be promoted by their developers. Instead, this promotion is undertaken by scammers abusing the products' affiliate programs to obtain illegitimate commissions.
It must be mentioned that advertising-supported software may require certain conditions to deliver intrusive advert campaigns. For example, it might not display ads if the browser/system or user geolocation are incompatible, or similar. However, regardless of whether ProcessorProgression (or other adware) delivers advertisements or not - its presence on a system endangers device/user safety.
ProcessorProgression might also have browser hijacker abilities since they are typical for AdLoad adware; however, we did not observe any during testing.
Furthermore, this application may have data tracking functionalities. Advertising-supported software primarily targets browsing data, personally identifiable details, usernames/passwords, credit card numbers, and so forth. The gathered data is then shared with and/or sold to third-parties.
In summary, the presence of adware like ProcessorProgression on devices can result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.
| Name | Ads by ProcessorProgression |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-AW [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Adware.MAC.Generic.26050), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.G), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Searchprox), 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. |
Adware examples
ProjectExpress, AnalyticDeal, GenerateExplorer, and OnlineDisplay are just some examples of the adware we have analyzed.
Having inspected thousands of advertising-supported software samples, we can conclude that adware typically appears legitimate and innocuous. Users are enticed into download/installation with promises of "useful" and "advantageous" features. However, these functions are seldom operational.
How did ProcessorProgression install on my computer?
Adware can be bundled (packed together) with regular programs. Download from untrustworthy channels (e.g., freeware and third-party websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations - increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.
Fake Adobe Flash Player installers/updaters are used in distribution as well. Intrusive advertisements also proliferate adware. Once clicked on, some of these adverts can make downloads/installations without user permission.
Advertising-supported software may have "official" promotional and deceptive (scam) download sites. Most users enter such webpages through redirects caused by mistyped URLs, websites using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware (with browser force-opening capabilities).
How to avoid installation of adware?
We strongly recommend researching software and downloading it from official/verified sources. Furthermore, all installations must be approached with caution. Therefore, we advise reading terms, studying available options, using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opting-out of all supplements.
Another recommendation is being vigilant while browsing - as fraudulent and malicious content tends to look harmless. For example, intrusive adverts appear legitimate yet redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., adult-dating, gambling, pornography, etc.).
If you experience such ads and/or redirects, inspect the device and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with ProcessorProgression, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up window displayed once ProcessorProgression adware's installation is over:
ProcessorProgression adware's 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 ProcessorProgression?
- STEP 1. Remove ProcessorProgression related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove ProcessorProgression ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove ProcessorProgression adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove ProcessorProgression ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove ProcessorProgression adware using Combo Cleaner:
ProcessorProgression adware removal:
Remove ProcessorProgression-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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What harm can adware cause?
Adware may decrease browsing experience and system performance. It is also deemed to be a privacy threat due to the data tracking abilities this software usually has. Furthermore, adware-displayed advertisements endorse harmful/malicious content that can cause serious problems (e.g., system infections, severe privacy issues, etc.).
What does adware do?
Adware is designed to run intrusive advertisement campaigns. In other words, this software enables the placement of various ads on visited webpages and/or different interfaces. Adware may also be capable of force-opening websites and collecting private data.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Most of the profit comes from affiliate programs by promoting websites, products, applications, services, etc. Adware developers may earn commission from ad clicks, site visits, product purchases, file downloads, service subscriptions, or similar.
Will Combo Cleaner remove ProcessorProgression adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate installed adware-type applications. It is pertinent to mention that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might not be a perfect solution. In select instances, even after the adware itself had been (manually) removed - various file leftovers stayed hidden in the device. What is more, the remaining components might continue running and causing issues. Hence, thoroughly eliminating adware from a device is paramount.
Outstanding!
▼ Show Discussion