How to remove ProgressElemnt from a browser and the operating system?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
How to remove ProgressElemnt from Mac?
What is ProgressElemnt?
ProgressElemnt is the name of adware which serves various advertisements. Although, it functions not only as adware, but also as a browser hijacker - it promotes address of some fake search by modifying certain browser settings. Additionally, this app may be designed to collect various data. It is worthwhile to mention that users download and install adware (and browser hijackers) unknowingly. For this reason apps like ProgressElemnt are called potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).
Typically, adware-type apps serve banners, coupons, surveys, pop-up ads that, if clicked, open questionable websites. In some cases could be designed to execute scripts that would download, or even install some unwanted app. Apps that are as classified as browser hijackers are designed to change browser settings such as address of a default search engine, homepage and/or new tab to an address of some fake search engine. Simply said, they are designed to make sure that users would visit certain address when they open a browser, new tab and/or enter search queries into URL bar. In most cases a hijacked browser can be stopped from opening that address only when a PUA (in this case it would be ProgressElemnt is no longer installed on browser and/or computer. Another issue with apps like ProgressElemnt is that they tend to be designed to collect browsing data. For example, IP addresses, entered search queries, geolocations, addresses of visited websites, and other browsing-related data. It some cases they target personal, sensitive data as well. The problem with it is that gathered data may be misused to generate revenue, developers may sell it third parties (potentially cyber criminals). In such cases users may experience problems related to privacy, browsing safety, or even become victims of identity theft.
| Name | Ads by ProgressElemnt |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| 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. |
To sum up, applications like AccessibleDataLookup are designed to generate revenue for their developers by serving advertisements, promoting fake search engines and/or collecting various dta. They are useless for their users and can cause them various issues. If an app of this type is already installed on a browser and/or computer, then it should be uninstalled. A couple of examples of other apps of this type are AnalyzerSearch, AssistiveValue, ScalableRemote.
How did ProgressElemnt install on my computer?
One of the most popular methods to distribute PUAs is called "bundling". In such cases these apps are integrated in download and/or installation setups of other programs as additional offers. When users download and/or install programs that have PUAs included in their setups without changing settings like "Custom", "Advanced", or other settings (or unticking certain checkboxes), they download and/or install PUAs as well. Additionally, unwanted apps can be downloaded and/or installed via deceptive ads that are designed to execute certain scripts. Although, to be able to cause it they need to be clicked.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Various third party downloaders, installers, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g, torrent clients, eMule), unofficial pages, etc., tend to be used as tools to distribute various PUAs. Therefore, software (and files) should be downloaded only from official websites and through direct links. Download and installation setups that have "Advanced", "Custom" or other settings can be used to distribute PUAs too. Therefore, those settings should be checked before completing downloads and installations. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, sometimes unwanted downloads and/or installations can be caused via deceptive advertisements that are capable of running certain scripts. Therefore, those ads should not be clicked as well. Typically, they are displayed on various questionable websites. Such ads should not be clicked as well. Unwanted, suspicious extensions, add-ons, plug-ins that are installed on a browser should be removed. Software of this kind that is installed on the operating system should be uninstalled as well. If your computer is already infected with ProgressElemnt, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up window displayed once ProgressElemnt installation is completed:
ProgressElemnt's installation folder:
Instant automatic Mac malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer 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 three days free trial available.
Quick menu:
- What is ProgressElemnt?
- STEP 1. Remove ProgressElemnt related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove ProgressElemnt ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove ProgressElemnt adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove ProgressElemnt ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove ProgressElemnt adware using Combo Cleaner:
ProgressElemnt adware removal:
Remove ProgressElemnt-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 ads by progresselemnt 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 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 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 in the correct order you Mac should be clean of infections. To be sure 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 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 it's virus definition database and click "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.
Ads by ProgressElemnt removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove ads by progresselemnt related Safari extensions:
Open 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 normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Remove ads by progresselemnt related Mozilla Firefox add-ons:
Open your Mozilla Firefox browser. At the top right corner of the screen, click the "Open Menu" (three horizontal lines) button. From the opened menu, choose "Add-ons".
Choose the "Extensions" tab and look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the "Remove" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Mozilla Firefox browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Remove ads by progresselemnt related Google Chrome add-ons:
Open Google Chrome and click the "Chrome menu" (three horizontal lines) button located in the top-right corner of the browser window. From the drop-down menu, choose "More Tools" and select "Extensions".
In the "Extensions" window, look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the "Trash" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Google Chrome browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Outstanding!
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