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How to uninstall ProgressSite from your browser and computer

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

What is ProgressSite?

ProgressSite is designed to serve advertisements, promote the Safe Finder web page via akamaihd.net, and collect sensitive information. Commonly, users download and install adware such as ProgressSite inadvertently. Therefore, these apps are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs). You are advised to uninstall all PUAs immediately.

ProgressSite adware

Most adware-type applications feed user with banners, surveys, coupons, pop-ups and other advertisements that can open untrusted web pages. Ads displayed by adware might also execute scripts to download and install unwanted, potentially malicious software.

Therefore, it is not safe to click these advertisements. Research shows that ProgressSite can access private, sensitive information such as credit card details, passwords, telephone numbers and other data of this kind.

This information might be sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals), misused to steal identities and various accounts, make fraudulent purchases, and generate revenue in other ways.

Therefore, whoever has ProgressSite installed on their browsers or operating systems can become victims of identity theft, suffer monetary loss, experience problems relating to online privacy, and other serious issues. Additionally, adware can record browsing data (e.g., IP addresses, geolocations, addresses of visited pages, entered search queries).

To avoid any of the aforementioned problems, never download or install ProgressSite or similar apps. If such software is already installed on the browser and/or computer, uninstall it immediately.

Threat Summary:
Name Ads by ProgressSite
Threat Type Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names Avast (MacOS:Adload-AB [Trj]), AVG (MacOS:Adload-AB [Trj]), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.C), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.g), Full List (VirusTotal)
Additional Information This application belongs to the 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.

There are many other apps similar to ProgressSite including, for example, ActiveMulti, DisplayAdvice and MainPanelSearch. In most cases, adware-type applications serve ads, track information and gather data. PUAs deliver no real value.

On the contrary, users are exposed to risk of various problems. Therefore, never download or install PUAs or adware.

How did ProgressSite install on my computer?

Many people download and install adware and other PUAs through certain advertisements or the download/installation set-ups of other (usually free) software. Commonly, PUAs are included into set-ups as 'additional offers'. In most cases, these offers are mentioned in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings. This PUA distribution method is called "bundling".

Users who download and install programs without checking and changing the aforementioned settings often allow additional rogue apps to infiltrate. Unwanted downloads/installations can also be caused by clicking ads that execute certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are advised to download software from official, trustworthy websites and via direct links. Various third party downloaders, installers, Peer-to-Peer networks (torrent clients, eMule), unofficial websites etc., should not be used, since they are often used to distribute unwanted or even malicious programs.

Check the download/installation set-ups for "Custom", "Advanced" and other options/settings, and decline offers to download or install any unwanted apps. The internet is full of ads that open untrusted websites. In most cases, they appear on unofficial, dubious web pages.

These ads should never be clicked, since they can cause rogue downloads and installations. Remove any suspicious, unknown or unwanted extensions, add-ons and plug-ins installed on the browser immediately. Also remove programs of this kind that are installed on the operating system.

If your computer is already infected with ProgressSite, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once ProgressSite installation is complete:

pop-up displayed once ProgressSite installation is done

ProgressSite redirecting users to the Safe Finder website via akamaihd.net:

ProgressSite redirecting users to Safe Finder website via akamaihd.net

Screenshot of a rogue installer ('cracking' tool) used to distribute ProgressSite adware:

progresssite adware rogue installer

ProgressSite installed on Safari:

progresssite adware extension on safari browser

ProgressSite's installation folder and its contents:

progresssite adware contents 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:

Video showing how to remove ProgressSite adware using Combo Cleaner:

ProgressSite adware removal:

Remove ProgressSite-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.

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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 ProgressSite QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of Ads by ProgressSite on your mobile device.
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