Removal instructions for ProgressionLegion adware and the ads it delivers
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is ProgressionLegion?
ProgressionLegion is a rogue app that our researchers found while inspecting new submissions to VirusTotal. After analyzing this piece of software, we determined that it operates as adware and belongs to the AdLoad malware family.
ProgressionLegion adware overview
Adware-delivered advertisements promote untrustworthy/harmful websites and software, online scams, and malware. Some intrusive ads are capable of downloading/installing software stealthily - once clicked on.
Note that any legitimate products encountered via these adverts are highly unlikely to be endorsed in this fashion by their actual developers. Instead, this promotion is undertaken by scammers abusing the products' affiliate programs to obtain illegitimate commissions.
It has to be mentioned that advertising-supported software may require certain conditions (e.g., compatible browser/system specs or user geolocation, visits to particular sites, etc.) to run intrusive advertisement campaigns. However, whether ProgressionLegion (or other adware) displays ads is irrelevant since its presence on a system endangers device/user safety regardless.
ProgressionLegion may have browser hijacker qualities, as they are standard for AdLoad adware - although this app did not exhibit any during our analysis.
Furthermore, this piece of software likely has data tracking functionalities. Adware typically gathers browsing-related information, personally identifiable details, log-in credentials, credit card numbers, and other sensitive data. The collected information is monetized via sale to third-parties.
To summarize, the presence of ProgressionLegion or similar software on devices can result in system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Ads by ProgressionLegion |
| 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 (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.h), 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), 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. |
Adware examples
We have analyzed thousands of adware samples; SampleLight, LaunchHistoryResults, and InfoMajorSearch are a couple of our most recent finds. Advertising-supported software appears legitimate and offers "useful" and "advantageous" features. However, these functionalities rarely work as promised, and in most cases - they are utterly nonoperational.
How did ProgressionLegion install on my computer?
Adware is profiled using various deceptive techniques. It can be bundled (packed together) with ordinary programs. Download from untrustworthy sources (e.g., unofficial and freeware websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations - increase the risk of permitting bundled content into the system.
Fake Adobe Flash Player updaters/installers are also used in distribution. Advertising-supported software is endorsed through misleading "official" promotional pages and scam websites. Most users enter such webpages via redirects caused by sites that use rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, mistyped URLs, intrusive ads, or installed adware (with browser force-opening capabilities).
Intrusive advertisements spread adware directly as well. Upon being clicked, some of these adverts can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user consent.
How to avoid installation of adware?
We highly recommend researching software and downloading only from official and verified channels. Installation processes have to be approached with care. Therefore, we advise reading terms, inspecting possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting-out of all additions.
Another recommendation is to exercise caution when browsing - since illegitimate and malicious content typically appears genuine and innocuous. For example, intrusive adverts look harmless - however, they redirect to questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).
If you experience such advertisements/redirects, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with ProgressionLegion, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up window displayed once ProgressionLegion adware's installation is over:
ProgressionLegion 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 ProgressionLegion?
- STEP 1. Remove ProgressionLegion related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove ProgressionLegion ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove ProgressionLegion adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove ProgressionLegion ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove ProgressionLegion adware using Combo Cleaner:
ProgressionLegion adware removal:
Remove ProgressionLegion-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 can decrease browsing quality and system performance. It is also deemed to be a privacy threat - since this software usually has data tracking abilities. What is more, adware-displayed ads can be deceptive/malicious and cause severe issues (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.).
What does adware do?
Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It is designed to enable the placement of advertisements on visited websites and/or other interfaces. Additionally, this software may be capable of force-opening sites and collecting private information.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Adware generates most of the profit through affiliate programs by promoting various websites, software, products, services, and so forth. The developers may earn commission from ad clicks, site visits, file downloads, product purchases, service subscriptions, or similar.
Will Combo Cleaner remove ProgressionLegion adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan devices and eliminate installed adware-type applications. It is pertinent to mention that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might be ineffective. Since even after the software itself has been (manually) removed - various remnants (files) can stay hidden in the system. Furthermore, the remaining components can continue running and causing issues. Therefore, it is crucial to remove adware thoroughly.
Outstanding!
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