ProgressMatch is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that belongs to the family of Adware. Adware is a type of malicious software. It is created to bombard you with unsolicited advertisements and pop-up windows that could potentially be dangerous for your MAC. If you get adware on your machine, it can change internet browser settings and install harmful browser add-ons.
Unwanted ads
Does the ProgressMatch adware steal your personal information? Adware software can install a component that enables its creator to track which web pages you visit, which products you look at upon those pages. They are then able to select the type of ads they show you. So, if you had adware on your machine, there is a good chance you have another that is collecting and sharing your personal data with third parties, without your knowledge.
Threat Summary
| Name | ProgressMatch, Progress Match 1.0 app |
| Type | adware, potentially unwanted application (PUA), pop up virus, popups, popup ads |
| Symptoms |
|
| Removal | ProgressMatch removal guide |
How does the ProgressMatch adware get on your Apple Mac
Most commonly, adware come bundled with the setup files from a free hosting and file sharing webpages. So, install a free software is a a good chance that you will find a bundled adware. If you don’t know how to avoid it, then use a simple trick. During the setup, select the Custom or Advanced install type. Next, click ‘Decline’ button and clear all checkboxes on offers that ask you to install third-party applications. Moreover, please carefully read Term of use and User agreement before installing any programs or otherwise you can end up with another unwanted application on your Apple Mac like this adware.
We recommend to remove the ProgressMatch adware, as soon as you found this problem, as it can redirect your internet browser to web-resources which may load other harmful software on your MAC system.
How to remove ProgressMatch adware
In the few simple steps below, we’ll try to cover the Safari, Chrome and Firefox and provide general advice to remove ProgressMatch . You may find some minor differences in your Mac install. No matter, you should be okay if you follow the steps outlined below: remove all suspicious and unknown apps, reset web browsers settings, run free malware removal tools. Read this manual carefully, bookmark it or open this page on your smartphone, because you may need to close your web browser or restart your MAC OS.
To remove ProgressMatch, complete the following steps:
- Manual ProgressMatch adware software removal
- Automatic Removal of ProgressMatch adware software
- How to stay safe online
- Finish words
Manual ProgressMatch adware software removal
In most cases, it’s possible to manually delete ProgressMatch adware. This method does not involve the use of any tricks or removal utilities. You just need to restore the normal settings of the MAC system and internet browser. This can be done by following a few simple steps below. If you want to quickly delete ProgressMatch adware, as well as perform a full scan of your Apple Mac, we recommend that you run adware software removal tools, which are listed below.
Remove suspicious programs using the Finder
It is of primary importance to first identify and remove all PUPs, adware software apps and browser hijacker infections through the ‘Applications’ section of the Finder.
Open Finder and click “Applications”.
It will show a list of all applications installed on your MAC OS. Scroll through the all list, and delete any dubious and unknown apps. Right click to questionable application and choose “Move to Trash”. Another way is drag the application from the Applications folder to the Trash.
Most important, scroll through the all list, and move to trash any unknown applications. Don’t forget, choose Finder -> Empty Trash.
Delete ProgressMatch adware from Firefox
If your Mozilla Firefox web browser is affected by ProgressMatch or an unknown search engine shows results for your search, then it may be time to perform the web-browser reset. Your saved bookmarks, form auto-fill information and passwords won’t be cleared or changed.
First, run the Firefox. Next, click the button in the form of three horizontal stripes (
). It will show the drop-down menu. Next, click the Help button (
).
In the Help menu click the “Troubleshooting Information”. In the upper-right corner of the “Troubleshooting Information” page click on “Refresh Firefox” button like below.
Confirm your action, click the “Refresh Firefox”.
Get rid of ProgressMatch adware from Safari
By resetting Safari web-browser you restore your browser settings to its default state. This is first when troubleshooting problems that might have been caused by ProgressMatch .
Click Safari menu and choose “Preferences”.
It will open the Safari Preferences window. Next, click the “Extensions” tab. Look for unknown and suspicious extensions on left panel, choose it, then click the “Uninstall” button. Most important to remove all unknown extensions from Safari.
Once complete, click “General” tab. Change the “Default Search Engine” to Google.
Find the “Homepage” and type into textfield “https://www.google.com”.
Remove ProgressMatch adware from Google Chrome
Resetting Chrome to default values is helpful in deleting the ProgressMatch ads from your web-browser. This method is always useful to follow if you have trouble in removing changes caused by adware software.
- First start the Chrome and press Menu button (small button in the form of three dots).
- It will display the Google Chrome main menu. Select More Tools, then click Extensions.
- You will see the list of installed extensions. If the list has the extension labeled with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following steps: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy.
- Now open the Chrome menu once again, press the “Settings” menu.
- You will see the Chrome’s settings page. Scroll down and click “Advanced” link.
- Scroll down again and press the “Reset” button.
- The Chrome will open the reset profile settings page as shown on the image above.
- Next press the “Reset” button.
- Once this process is finished, your web browser’s homepage, newtab page and search provider will be restored to their original defaults.
- To learn more, read the article How to reset Google Chrome settings to default.
Automatic Removal of ProgressMatch adware software
The easiest way to get rid of ProgressMatch is to use an anti-malware program capable of detecting adware. We advise try MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) or another free malicious software remover which listed below. It has excellent detection rate when it comes to adware software, browser hijackers and other potentially unwanted programs.
Delete ProgressMatch adware with MalwareBytes
We advise using the MalwareBytes AntiMalware. You can download and install MalwareBytes Anti Malware to remove adware and thereby get rid of ProgressMatch ads from your browsers. When installed and updated, this free malware remover automatically identifies and removes all threats present on the MAC.
MalwareBytes can be downloaded from the following link.
20850 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: September 10, 2020
After the download is done, close all applications and windows on your MAC OS. Run the saved file. Follow the prompts.
The MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) will automatically start and you can see its main screen as on the image below.
Now press the “Scan” button to scan for the ProgressMatch adware. A system scan can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on your MAC OS. While the MalwareBytes Free application is checking, you may see how many objects it has identified as threat.
Once the scan is complete, you will be shown the list of all detected threats on your machine. When you are ready, click “Remove Selected Items” button. The MalwareBytes Anti-Malware will start to delete ProgressMatch adware software.
How to stay safe online
In order to increase your security and protect your machine against new annoying ads and harmful websites, you need to run ad-blocking program that stops an access to harmful ads and web sites. Moreover, the program can stop the show of intrusive advertising, that also leads to faster loading of web sites and reduce the consumption of web traffic.
Download AdGuard by clicking on the following link.
3687 downloads
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: January 17, 2018
After the downloading process is complete, run the downloaded file. The “Setup Wizard” window will show up on the computer screen.
Follow the prompts. AdGuard will then be installed. A window will show up asking you to confirm that you want to see a quick instructions. Click “Skip” button to close the window and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see an quick guidance that will assist you get to know AdGuard better.
Each time, when you start your MAC, AdGuard will run automatically and stop unwanted pop up ads, block harmful and misleading web-pages.
Finish words
After completing the step-by-step instructions shown above, your MAC system should be clean from ProgressMatch and other malicious software. The Chrome, Firefox and Safari will no longer display unwanted ads. Unfortunately, if the guidance does not help you, then you have caught a new adware, and then the best way – ask for help here.
