Removal instructions for the ProgressFunction adware-type application

What kind of application is ProgressFunction?

ProgressFunction is a rogue application that our research team discovered during a routine investigation of new submissions to the VirusTotal site. Our inspection revealed that this app is adware belonging to the AdLoad malware family. ProgressFunction operates by running intrusive advertisement campaigns.

ProgressFunction adware overview

Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It enables the placement of adverts on visited webpages and/or different interfaces.

The advertisements primarily promote online scams, untrustworthy/hazardous software, and even malware. Some intrusive ads can be triggered (by being clicked) to execute scripts that perform stealthy downloads/installations.

It is pertinent to mention that while genuine products or services may be encountered via these adverts – they are highly unlikely to be endorsed in this manner by any official parties. It is most probable that this endorsement is undertaken by scammers who abuse the content's affiliate programs to acquire illegitimate commissions.

Advertising-supported software might not display advertisements if the browser/system or user geolocation is incompatible, visits to specific websites are not made, or other conditions are unsuitable. However, regardless of whether ProgressFunction delivers ads – it remains a threat.

While AdLoad adware commonly possesses browser-hijacking abilities, ProgressFunction did not exhibit these functionalities during testing.

What is more, ProgressFunction might collect sensitive information, as that is standard for software within this classification. Targeted data may include: visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related information, etc. The gathered data can then be monetized through sale to third-parties.

To summarize, the presence of advertising-supported software like ProgressFunction on devices may result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by ProgressFunction
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-L [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.Adload.17), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.H), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.j), 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), 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.

Adware examples

DigitalAdmin, CyberSpaceLogin, OriginalProduct, RenewingImprove, and DetectionElemnt are merely some examples adware we have analyzed recently.

Advertising-supported software appears legitimate and offers various functionalities. However, these features seldom work as promised, and in most cases – they are utterly nonoperational. It must be mentioned that even if a piece of software works as indicated by its promotional material – that is not a guarantee of either legitimacy or safety.

How did ProgressFunction install on my computer?

"Bundling" – packing regular program installers with unwanted/malicious additions – is used to proliferate adware. The risk of allowing bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from untrustworthy sources (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and by treating installations with negligence (e.g., ignoring terms, using "Quick/Easy" settings, etc.).

Intrusive ads proliferate adware as well. Upon being clicked, some of these advertisements can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user permission.

Advertising-supported software can also have "official" promotional pages, and it is endorsed on deceptive/scam sites. Most visitors to these webpages enter them via redirects generated by websites that utilize rogue advertising networks, misspelled URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive adverts, or installed adware (with browser force-opening abilities).

How to avoid installation of adware?

We highly recommend researching software and downloading it only from official/verified channels. We also advise caution when installing content, e.g., by reading terms, studying available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of additional apps, extensions, tools, etc.

Another recommendation is to be careful while browsing since fake and malicious online content usually appears legitimate and innocuous. For example, intrusive ads may look harmless yet redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.).

In case of continuous encounters with such advertisements and/or redirects, check the device and immediately remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with ProgressFunction, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once ProgressFunction adware's installation is over:

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

Video showing how to remove ProgressFunction adware using Combo Cleaner:

ProgressFunction adware removal:

Remove ProgressFunction-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-delivered ads endorse harmful content capable of causing serious issues (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.). Additionally, this software can decrease browsing quality and system performance. This software is also considered to be a privacy threat, as it usually has data-tracking functionalities.

What does adware do?

Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It displays advertisements on various interfaces. Furthermore, some types can also force-open websites and gather private information.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware developers generate revenue primarily via affiliate programs by promoting various sites, products, software, services, etc.

Will Combo Cleaner remove ProgressFunction adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate all adware-type apps present. Keep in mind that manual removal (performed without the aid of security programs) might be ineffective. In some cases, file leftovers can stay hidden within the system after the adware has been manually removed. Furthermore, the remnants can continue to run and cause issues. Therefore, it is crucial to eliminate advertising-supported software thoroughly.

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