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Remove PremiumForward adware from web browsers

Also Known As: Ads by PremiumForward
Type: Mac Virus
Damage level: Medium

What is PremiumForward?

PremiumForward supposedly helps users to search by providing accurate results, faster searches, etc. In fact, this application is classified as adware. Apps of this type feed users with intrusive, often deceptive advertisements and gather personal details.

When installed on Safari, this particular app forces users to visit lkysearchex21307-a.akamaihd[.]net, the address of an untrustworthy web page. Generally, people do not install adware intentionally and, for this reason, PremiumForward is classed as a potentially unwanted application (PUA).

PremiumForward adware

People who have PremiumForward installed on their browsers are forced to see various advertisements. Typically, software of this type displays intrusive ads in the form of coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups, etc. If clicked, these often redirect people to dubious, untrustworthy websites.

They are sometimes designed to run scripts that cause download or installation of other PUAs, or even malicious programs. Furthermore, PremiumForward gathers various data. Apps such as this often record IP addresses, geolocations, addresses of visited websites, entered search queries, and so on.

Research shows that PremiumForward can access information from web pages such as passwords, telephone numbers, and credit card details. Adware developers share the information with other parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue.

Threat Summary:
Name Ads by PremiumForward
Threat Type Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names (PremiumForward.app.zip) Full List (VirusTotal)
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.

PremiumForward is virtually identical to a number of other adware-type apps including, for example, SystemJump, BrowserToday, and CoordinatorLinks.

In most cases, developers present them as useful, legitimate applications, but having them installed can cause privacy issues, problems with browsing safety, or even more serious problems such as identity theft. PUAs provide no value and do not operate as advertised.

How did PremiumForward install on my computer?

Generally, users download and install PUAs such as PremiumForward inadvertently. These unwanted downloads/installations are often caused by clicking deceptive advertisements, however, another popular way to distribute unwanted apps is by including them into the set-ups of other software.

This distribution method is known as "bundling". In most cases, developers hide additionally-included apps in settings such as "Advanced", "Custom", and so on. PUAs are often granted permission to be downloaded and installed with other, regular software when people leave these settings unchanged.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Download software only from official websites and using direct download links. It is not safe to download or install using third party downloaders, installers, torrent clients, eMule (and other Peer-to-Peer networks), dubious, unofficial websites, and so on.

Check "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings that are included in the set-ups and opt-out of any offers to download or install additional, unwanted apps. Do not trust intrusive advertisements. When clicked, they usually redirect to untrustworthy websites or run scripts that download or install unwanted programs.

To stop the browser from causing unwanted redirects and/or displaying ads, remove all unwanted extensions, plug-ins, and add-ons that are installed. Also remove programs of this kind from the operating system. If your computer is already infected with PremiumForward, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once PremiumForward installation is complete:

pop-up displayed once PremiumForward installation is done

PremiumForward installed on Safari:

PremiumForward adware installed on Safari browser

 PremiumForward installation folder:

PremiumForward installation folder and its contents

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:

Video showing how to remove PremiumForward adware using Combo Cleaner:

PremiumForward adware removal:

Remove PremiumForward-related potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:

mac browser hijacker removal from 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

Mac Go To Folder step

Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...

Mac removing related files and folders - step 1Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

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.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 2Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 2

In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 3Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

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.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 4Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 1

In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 2

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.

Mac removing malware related files and folders - step 5Scan 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.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 1

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.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 2

After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers

Safari iconRemove malicious Safari extensions:

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 1

Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 2

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.

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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".

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 2

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 1

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (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".

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 2

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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Removal Instructions in other languages
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

QR Code
Ads by PremiumForward QR code
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