How to remove ProfessionalView adware and the ads it displays

What kind of application is ProfessionalView?

ProfessionalView is a rogue application that we discovered while reviewing new file submissions to the VirusTotal website. Upon examination, we determined that this app is advertising-supported software (adware). ProfessionalView is part of the AdLoad malware family.

ProfessionalView adware overview

Adware is designed to generate revenue for its developers through advertising. Typically, software within this classification displays ads on various interfaces, such as visited websites, desktops, or others.

These advertisements primarily promote scams, unreliable/harmful software, and even malware. Once clicked on, some of the adverts can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.

It is noteworthy that while legitimate products/services may be encountered via these ads – they are 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 deliver intrusive advertisement campaigns if the browser/system is incompatible, specific websites are not visited, or other conditions are unsuitable. However, regardless of whether ProfessionalView displays advertisements – its presence on a system endangers device integrity and user safety.

We have found many instances of AdLoad applications exhibiting browser-hijacking functionalities, yet we did not observe these qualities while investigating ProfessionalView.

Furthermore, adware usually has data-tracking functionalities, and this likely applies to ProfessionalView. Information of interest may include: visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, Internet cookies, account log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, credit card numbers, and so forth. The gathered data can be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.

To summarize, the presence of software like ProfessionalView on devices may result in system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by ProfessionalView
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Adload-AG [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.AdLoad.13), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.G), Kaspersky (Adware:MacOS/Adload.AK!MTB), 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

We have analyzed countless adware-type apps; ExpandedControl, ResolutionRanking, and HyperTextCompile are just a couple of our newest finds. Advertising-supported software rarely appears suspicious – it tends to look legitimate and innocuous.

Users can be enticed into downloading/installing this software by promises of various useful functionalities. However, these functions seldom work as promised, and in most cases – they are utterly nonoperational. It must be stressed that functional features do not prove the legitimacy or safety of an application/extension.

How did ProfessionalView install on my computer?

Adware can be bundled with (packed alongside) ordinary programs. The risk of inadvertently permitting access for bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from untrustworthy sources (e.g., freeware and third-party sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and by rushing through installation processes (e.g., using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.).

Additionally, adware can have "official" promotional pages, and it is endorsed on scam websites. Most visitors to these webpages access them via redirects generated by sites employing rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware (with browser force-opening capabilities).

Advertising-supported software is also proliferated by intrusive adverts. Some of these advertisements can be triggered (i.e., by being clicked) to execute scripts that perform stealthy downloads/installations.

How to avoid installation of adware?

It is important to always research software before downloading or purchasing it. Furthermore, all downloads must be made from official and verified channels. When installing, we recommend reading terms, exploring available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all supplementary apps, extensions, tools, and so forth.

We also advise being vigilant while browsing, as fraudulent and dangerous online content usually appears genuine and harmless. For example, while intrusive ads may look innocuous – they redirect to unreliable and questionable websites (e.g., scam-promoting, gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.).

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

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

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

Video showing how to remove ProfessionalView adware using Combo Cleaner:

ProfessionalView adware removal:

Remove ProfessionalView-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 adverts promote content capable of causing severe issues (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.). The presence of this software on a device can decrease browsing quality and system performance. Furthermore, adware is classified as a privacy threat since it usually has data-tracking abilities.

What does adware do?

Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It generates revenue through advertising; primary functions can include displaying ads on various interfaces, causing redirects, and collecting sensitive information.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware developers profit through content promotion (e.g., websites, applications, browser extensions, products, services, etc.). Most of the revenue is made through affiliate programs.

Will Combo Cleaner remove ProfessionalView adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan devices and eliminate all adware-type applications installed. It must be mentioned that manual removal (performed without security tools) might not be an ideal solution. In some cases, after the adware has been manually removed – file remnants stay hidden within the system. These remaining components might continue to run and cause problems. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate advertising-supported software thoroughly.

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