Remove Landslide Search from your browser
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is search.landslidesearch.com?
search.landslidesearch.com is the address of a fake search engine, which is promoted through a potentially unwanted application (PUA), a browser hijacker called Landslide Search. Generally, apps of this type promote fake search engines by changing certain browser settings.
Additionally, most gather browsing data. People do not generally download or install browser hijackers (or other PUAs) intentionally - in most cases, they are tricked into it.
Landslide Search promotes search.landslidesearch.com by assigning it as the address of the browser homepage, default search engine and new tab. In summary, Landslide Search ensures that users must visit search.landslidesearch.com when they open a browser, new tab or enter search queries into the URL bar.
It also prevents users from removing this address from any of the settings - it reassigns settings after each attempt to change them. Avoid having to visit search.landslidesearch.com by uninstalling Landslide Search. Note that search.landslidesearch.com is a fake search engine, since it generates no unique results and simply redirects users to search.yahoo.com.
Users are thus provided with results generated by a legitimate Yahoo search engine. Furthermore, Landslide Search and other browser hijackers gather browsing data.
Typically, they target search queries, IP addresses, geolocations, addresses of opened sites, and so on, however, they might record personal, confidential details as well. Developers sell the information to other parties, potentially cyber criminals who misuse it to generate revenue.
Name | Landslide Search browser hijacker |
Threat Type | Browser hijacker, Mac malware, Mac virus. |
Serving IP Address | 104.124.58.145 |
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. |
Some examples of other fake search engines distributed through browser hijackers are search.pizgetz.com, search.gravenday.com and studentslearnintogether.club. Typically, these apps are advertised as legitimate and useful. In fact, they are designed to promote fake search engines and gather data.
They simply perform tasks to help developers to generate revenue. Having a browser hijacked by a PUA of this type can lead to problems relating to browsing safety, privacy or even identity theft. You are strongly advised to uninstall Landslide Search and other installed PUAs immediately.
How did search.landslidesearch.com install on my computer?
In some cases, PUAs can be downloaded from their websites, however, they are generally downloaded or installed through certain deceptive advertisements or the set-ups of other software. PUAs are commonly distributed by including them into various download and installation set-ups, usually of free software.
This distribution method is known as "bundling" and is used to trick people into downloading and/or installing PUAs together with other programs. Developers seek to achieve this by hiding related information of PUAs in settings of set-ups such as "Advanced", "Custom" and so on.
They succeed when people download or install software without checking and changing the settings. PUAs can be downloaded and installed through ads, but only when people click them (they then execute certain scripts).
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
Do not download or install software using torrent clients, eMule (and other Peer-to-Peer networks0, third party downloaders, installers, dubious/unofficial pages, and so on). The only safe way to download is using official websites and direct download links.
Set-ups that contain settings such as "Custom", "Advanced" and so on should be studies - decline offers to download or install unwanted apps. It is not safe to click ads that are displayed on dubious websites. These often redirect people who click them to potentially malicious web pages or cause unwanted downloads/installations.
If the browser causes unwanted redirects and/or displays ads, this likely to be due to an unwanted application installed on it. In these cases, check the list of installed add-ons, extensions and plug-ins and remove all unwanted, unknown, suspicious entries. The same applies to programs of this kind that are installed on the operating system.
If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.
search.landslidesearch.com redirects users to search.yahoo.com (GIF):
Download website of Search Landslide Search browser hijacker:
Landslide Search asks permission to read and change various data:
Landslide Search installed on Chrome:
Example of a deceptive installation setup used to promote Landslide Search browser hijacker:
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 search.landslidesearch.com?
- STEP 1. Remove search.landslidesearch.com related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove search.landslidesearch.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove search.landslidesearch.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove search.landslidesearch.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove Landslide Search browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:
search.landslidesearch.com redirect removal:
Remove search.landslidesearch.com-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 browser hijacker-related files and folders
Click the Finder icon from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...
Check for browser hijacker 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 browser hijackers - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Browser hijacker commonly installs several files with the exact same string.
Check for browser hijacker 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 browser hijacker 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 browser hijackers - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Browser hijacker commonly installs several files with the exact same string.
Check for browser hijacker 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 browser hijackers, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.
Remove browser hijackers from Internet browsers
Remove Safari browser hijackers:
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.
Change your homepage:
In the "Preferences" window, select the "General" tab. To set your homepage, type the preferred website URL (for example: www.google.com) in the Homepage field. You can also click the "Set to Current Page" button if you wish to set your homepage to the website you are currently visiting.
Change your default search engine:
In the "Preferences" window, select the "Search" tab. Here you will find a drop-down menu labeled "Search engine:" Simply select your preferred search engine from the drop-down list.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.
Remove Google Chrome browser hijackers:
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".
Change your homepage
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable the malicious extension (if present), look for a browser hijacker URL below the "Open a specific or set of pages" option. If present, click on the three vertical dots icon and select "Remove".
Change your default search engine:
To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for a browser hijacker URL, when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".
- 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".
Change your homepage
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable malicious extension (if present), remove the browser hijacker URL and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.
Change your default search engine:
In the URL address bar, type "about:config" and press Enter. Click "Accept the Risk and Continue".
In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled". Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the button.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.
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