How to remove LogicalSearch adware from your Mac
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is LogicalSearch?
LogicalSearch is endorsed as an application for enhancing the browsing experience. It is supposedly capable of providing fast searches, improved search results and similar. In fact, it acts as adware and runs advertisement campaigns - delivering intrusive, unwanted, and even harmful ads.
Adware-type apps commonly have data tracking abilities, which they use to monitor and gather browsing-related information. Due to the dubious methods used to distribute LogicalSearch, it is classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).
Adware displays a wide variety of intrusive ads including, for example, banners, pop-ups, surveys, and coupons to name just a few. Advertisements of this kind significantly diminish the browsing experience - they limit browsing speed and website visibility (by overlaying web page content).
They are also considered to be a threat to browser/system health and user safety. Clicking these ads redirects users to sale-based, untrustworthy, compromised, deceptive/scam and malicious sites. Some can even execute scripts designed to download/install unwanted or malicious content, without users' permission.
PUAs are a prime example of content that can infiltrate devices via intrusive ads. As well as delivering ad campaigns, PUAs can generate redirects to likewise hazardous web pages. Some can make unauthorized changes to browsers and limit or deny access to settings (i.e., they hijack browsers).
Most PUAs can track data, and this ability is not exclusive to adware. They record browsing habits (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and collect users' personal information (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). This vulnerable data can then be shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) seeking to misuse it for financial gain.
In summary, PUAs can cause various browser and system infiltration/infections, and lead to severe privacy issues, financial loss, and even identity theft. If LogicalSearch is already installed, you should remove it without delay. To ensure device and user safety, remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.
Name | Ads by LogicalSearch |
Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:Adload-AD [Trj]), BitDefender (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.Rload.5), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/TrojanDownloader.Adload.AE), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Cimpli.k), Full List (VirusTotal) |
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. |
NeedWebSearch, ProductTask, and ProdigySearch are just some examples of adware similar to LogicalSearch. In general, all PUAs share certain common traits. They often seem legitimate and lure users to install by offering a wide array of "useful" and "beneficial" features.
These functions rarely work as promised and, in most cases, are nonoperational. The only purpose of PUAs is to generate revenue for the developers, whilst regular users receive no genuine value. Rather than operating as advertised, PUAs deliver intrusive ad campaigns, cause redirects, hijack browsers, and track private data.
How did LogicalSearch install on my computer?
PUAs are mostly proliferated via the download/install set-ups of other products. This deceptive marketing method of packing normal software with unwanted or malicious content is called "bundling".
Rushing download/installation processes (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps, using pre-set options, etc.) increases the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled applications onto devices. Certain PUAs also have "official" download pages. As mentioned, when clicked, intrusive ads stealthily download/install PUAs.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
Research all content, before downloading/installing. Use only official and verified download channels. Peer-to-Peer sharing networks (BtTorrent, Gnutella, eMule, etc.), unofficial and free file-hosting websites, third party downloaders and similar sources are untrusted.
When downloading/installing, read the terms, explore all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out of supplementary apps, tools, functions, etc. Intrusive ads may seem legitimate and harmless, however, they can redirect to dubious web pages (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and others).
If you encounter ads/redirects of this type, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and/or browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with LogicalSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up window displayed once LogicalSearch installation is complete:
Installation folder of LogicalSearch adware:
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 LogicalSearch?
- STEP 1. Remove LogicalSearch related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove LogicalSearch ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove LogicalSearch adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove LogicalSearch ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove LogicalSearch adware using Combo Cleaner:
LogicalSearch adware removal:
Remove LogicalSearch-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.
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