Remove ProgressHandler Adware From Mac OS

Easy Steps To Delete ProgressHandler

ProgressHandler is a type of potentially unwanted application (PUA) that includes characteristics of both adware as well as a browser hijacker. It mainly targets Mac computers and often sneaks into the PCs secretly without users’ consent using various illusive techniques. Soon after sneaking into the targeted systems, this notorious adware makes unwanted changes in default browser’s settings and grabs complete control over the entire browser. Straight away, you will notice your home page and new tab URLs have been replaced with another perilous domain and you are forced to use a customized search tool.

More About ProgressHandler:

ProgressHandler installs various tracking cookies on the affected browser and constantly monitors your web activities like pages viewed, links clicked on, search queries typed and so on. It gathers vital information regarding your browsing preferences and habits which is then utilized for the advertising purposes. And thus, it floods your system screen with thousands of intrusive ads and pop-ups all over the day that makes your web surfing very problematic. These ads are in multiple formats such as eye-catching offers, deals, coupons, banners, discounts etc. that look very eye-catching and can easily gain your attention.

Ads by ProgressHandler are based on pay-per-click mechanism and earn profits for the creators with each click users make on them. You need to be very careful while interacting with these adverts as they might include spiteful links and redirect your browser to scam, phishing or even malware-laced domains that host trojan, spyware or even deadly ransomware. Accessing such infectious domains might result in more malware infection. So, stay away from these adverts as much as you can. At some web pages, you are presented with fake error messages, security alerts, update notifications etc. and deceived into installing rogue software.

ProgressHandler makes malicious entries in Windows registries and alters its default settings which allows the adware to get automatically activated with each system startup. Due to this nasty malware, you may have to deal with multiple precarious issues such as application malfunctioning, error messages, boot errors, hard drive crash, software failure and so on. This perilous adware consumes huge amount of memory resources and drags down the overall PC performance severely. It causes the device to respond slower than ever before and take more than usual time to complete any task. And hence, you must perform a quick ProgressHandler removal from the work-station.

Infiltration of ProgressHandler:

Adware, browser hijackers and other PUPs generally sneak into the targeted devices without users’ permission. Freeware installers often hide additional components within Recommended or Quick installation settings. This creates an easy way on your device for additional programs and other cyber infections. This is called bundling technique, and so many malware creators use it.

This is the reason you need to be careful when it comes to any software installation. Never rush the process by skipping steps. Always select Advanced or Custom installation settings as specialists recommend. This means that additional objects would be visible and you could opt-out check marks near those unwanted/additional pieces. In case your device is already infected with this adware, you must remove ProgressHandler from the computer as early as possible.

Remove Files and Folders Related to ProgressHandler

Open the “Menu” bar and click the “Finder” icon. Select “Go” and click on “Go to Folder…”

Step 1: Search the suspicious and doubtful malware generated files in /Library/LaunchAgents folder

Type /Library/LaunchAgents in the “Go to Folder” option

In the “Launch Agent” folder, search for all the files that you have recently downloaded and move them to “Trash”. Few of the examples of files created by browser-hijacker or adware are as follow, “myppes.download.plist”, “mykotlerino.Itvbit.plist”, installmac.AppRemoval.plist”, and “kuklorest.update.plist” and so on.

Step 2: Detect and remove the files generated by the adware in “/Library/Application” Support folder

In the “Go to Folder..bar”, type “/Library/Application Support”

Search for any suspicious newly added folders in “Application Support” folder. If you detect any one of these like “NicePlayer” or “MPlayerX” then send them to “Trash” folder.

Step 3: Look for the files generated by malware in /Library/LaunchAgent Folder:

Go to Folder bar and type /Library/LaunchAgents

You are in the “LaunchAgents” folder. Here, you have to search for all the newly added files and move them to “Trash” if you find them suspicious. Some of the examples of suspicious files generated by malware are “myppes.download.plist”, “installmac.AppRemoved.plist”, “kuklorest.update.plist”, “mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist” and so on.

Step4: Go to /Library/LaunchDaemons Folder and search for the files created by malware

Type /Library/LaunchDaemons in the “Go To Folder” option

In the newly opened “LaunchDaemons” folder, search for any recently added suspicious files and move them to “Trash”. Examples of some of the suspicious files are “com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist”, “com.avickUpd.plist”, “com.myppes.net-preference.plist”, “com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist” and so on.

Step 5: Use Combo Cleaner Anti-Malware and Scan your Mac PC

The malware infections could be removed from the Mac PC if you execute all the steps mentioned above in the correct way. However, it is always advised to be sure that your PC is not infected. It is suggested to scan the work-station with “Combo Cleaner Anti-virus”.

Once the file gets downloaded, double click on combocleaner.dmg installer in the newly opened window. Next is to open the “Launchpad” and press on “Combo Cleaner” icon. It is advised to wait until “Combo Cleaner” updates the latest definition for malware detection. Click on “Start Combo Scan” button.

A depth scan of your Mac PC will be executed in order to detect malware. If the Anti-virus scan report says “no threat found” then you can continue with guide further. On the other hand, it is recommended to delete the detected malware infection before continuing.

Now the files and folders created by the adware is removed, you have to remove the rogue extensions from the browsers.

Remove ProgressHandler from Internet Browsers

Delete Doubtful and Malicious Extension from Safari

Go to “Menu Bar” and open “Safari” browser. Select “Safari” and then “Preferences”

In the opened “preferences” window, select “Extensions” that you have recently installed. All such extensions should be detected and click the “Uninstall” button next to it. If you are doubtful then you can remove all the extensions from “Safari” browser as none of them are important for smooth functionality of the browser.

In case if you continue facing unwanted webpage redirections or aggressive advertisements bombarding, you can reset the “Safari” browser.

“Reset Safari”

Open the Safari menu and choose “preferences…” from the drop-down menu.

Go to the “Extension” tab and set the extension slider to “Off” position. This disables all the installed extensions in the Safari browser

Next step is to check the homepage. Go to “Preferences…” option and choose “General” tab. Change the homepage to your preferred URL.

Also check the default search-engine provider settings. Go to “Preferences…” window and select the “Search” tab and select the search-engine provider that you want such as “Google”.

Next is to clear the Safari browser Cache- Go to “Preferences…” window and select “Advanced” tab and click on “Show develop menu in the menu bar.“

Go to “Develop” menu and select “Empty Caches”.

Remove website data and browsing history. Go to “Safari” menu and select “Clear History and Website Data”. Choose “all history” and then click on “Clear History”.

Remove Unwanted and Malicious Plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox

Delete ProgressHandler add-ons from Mozilla Firefox

Open the Firefox Mozilla browser. Click on the “Open Menu” present in the top right corner of the screen. From the newly opened menu, choose “Add-ons”.

Go to “Extension” option and detect all the latest installed add-ons. Select each of the suspicious add-ons and click on “Remove” button next to them.

In case if you want to “reset” the Mozilla Firefox browser then follow the steps that has been mentioned below.

Reset Mozilla Firefox Settings

Open the Firefox Mozilla browser and click on “Firefox” button situated at the top left corner of the screen.

In the new menu, go to “Help” sub-menu and choose “Troubleshooting Information”

In the “Troubleshooting Information” page, click on “Reset Firefox” button.

Confirm that you want to reset the Mozilla Firefox settings to default by pressing on “Reset Firefox” option

The browser will get restarted and the settings changes to factory default

Delete Unwanted and Malicious Extensions from Google Chrome

Open the chrome browser and click on “Chrome menu”. From the drop down option, choose “More Tools” and then “Extensions”.

In the “Extensions” option, search for all the recently installed add-ons and extensions. Select them and choose “Trash” button. Any third-party extension is not important for the smooth functionality of the browser.

Reset Google Chrome Settings

Open the browser and click on three line bar at the top right side corner of the window.

Go to the bottom of the newly opened window and select “Show advanced settings”.

In the newly opened window, scroll down to the bottom and choose “Reset browser settings”

Click on the “Reset” button on the opened “Reset browser settings” window

Restart the browser and the changes you get will be applied

The above mentioned manual process should be executed as it is mentioned. It is a cumbersome process and requires a lot of technical expertise. And hence it is advised for technical experts only. To be sure that your PC is free from malware, it is better that you scan the work-station with a powerful anti-malware tool. The automatic malware removal application is preferred because it doesn’t requires any additional technical skills and expertise.

Download the application and execute it on the PC to begin the depth scanning. Once the scanning gets completed, it shows the list of all the files related to ProgressHandler. You can select such harmful files and folders and remove them immediately.