How to remove LeadingModuleSearch adware from the operating system

What is LeadingModuleSearch?

Belonging to the AdLoad malware family, LeadingModuleSearch is an adware-type application that shares many similarities with browser hijackers. This app delivers intrusive ad campaigns and modifies browsers to promote fake search engines. Furthermore, most adware and browser hijackers monitor users' browsing activity.

Due to its dubious proliferation methods, it is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA). LeadingModuleSearch has been known to proliferate via fake Adobe Flash Player updaters and installers. Note that bogus software updaters/installers often spread adware, browser hijackers and other PUAs.

They can also infect systems with ransomware, Trojans and other malware.

LeadingModuleSearch enables placement of third party graphical content to be displayed on any visited website. The intrusive advertisements (e.g. pop-ups, surveys, coupons, banners, etc.) this adware delivers significantly diminish the browsing experience. They limit browsing speed and site visibility.

When intrusive ads are clicked, they redirect to various sale-oriented, untrusted/rogue, compromised, deceptive/scam and malicious web pages. When clicked, they can even trigger the ads to execute scripts designed to download/install unwanted software (e.g. PUAs) without users' permission.

LeadingModuleSearch has common qualities with browser hijackers. They operate by reassigning the default search engine, homepage, and new tab/window URLs to the addresses of fake search engines. Therefore, each new browser tab/window opened and each search made via the URL bar redirect to the bogus search engine.

These fake search tools are usually unable to provide unique results, and so they tend to redirect to Google, Bing, Yahoo or other legitimate search engines. These modifications can only be undone by removing the hijacker software. Furthermore, most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) possess data tracking capabilities.

They can record browsing activity (browsing and search engine histories) and collect personal information derived from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other sensitive details). The gathered data is often shared with third parties seeking to misuse it for financial gain - potentially, by putting it to criminals use.

To summarize, PUAs can lead to system infiltration and infections, serious privacy issues, financial loss and even identity theft. Therefore, it is crucial to remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-in immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by LeadingModuleSearch
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
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. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner for Mac 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.

AddUpgrade, NetDataSearch and AphroditeResults are some examples of adware-type apps. They typically seem normal and tempt users into download/installation with offers of "useful" functions, however, the advertised features rarely work as promised and, in most cases, are nonoperational.

This applies to all PUAs. The only purpose of these unwanted applications is to generate revenue for the developers. PUAs run intrusive ad campaigns, hijack browsers, cause redirects to untrusted/malicious sites and track vulnerable data.

How did LeadingModuleSearch install on my computer?

PUAs are often downloaded/installed inadvertently and can infiltrate devices without users' permission. These unwanted apps spread via the download/install set-ups of other products. "Bundling" is the term used to define this deceptive marketing method of pre-packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions.

Rushing through download/installation processes (e.g. skimming or ignoring terms, using presets, skipping steps or sections, etc.) endangers systems with potential infiltration and infections originating from bundled content. Some PUAs have "official" promotional pages, from which they can be downloaded. Intrusive ads also proliferate PUAs.

Once clicked, they can execute scripts to make these stealthy download/installations.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are strongly advised to research all products, prior to download/installation. Use only official and verified download channels should be used. Unofficial and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks (BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.) and other third party downloaders can offer deceptive and/or bundled content.

Treat download and installation processes with caution. Read the terms, explore all available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of downloading/installing supplementary apps, tools, functions, etc.

Intrusive advertisements usually seem legitimate and innocuous, however, they can redirect to dubious web pages (e.g. pornography, adult-dating, gambling and so on). If you experience these ads/redirects, check the system and remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins without delay.

If your computer is already infected with LeadingModuleSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Files related to LeadingModuleSearch adware that need to be removed:

• ~/Library/Application Support/com.LeadingModuleSearch/LeadingModuleSearch
• ~/Library/Application Support/com.LeadingModuleSearchDaemon/LeadingModuleSearch
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.LeadingModuleSearch.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.LeadingModuleSearchDaemon.plist

IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps that promote LeadingModuleSearch adware are designed to create a new device profile. Therefore, before taking any further removal steps, perform these actions:

1) Click the "Preferences" icon in the menu bar and select "Profiles".

2) Select the "LeadingModuleSearch" profile and delete it.

3) Perform a full system scan with Combo Cleaner anti-virus suite.

After performing these actions, you can proceed with further removal steps for this malware.

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 LeadingModuleSearch?
• STEP 1. Remove LeadingModuleSearch related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove LeadingModuleSearch ads from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove LeadingModuleSearch adware from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove LeadingModuleSearch ads from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:

LeadingModuleSearch adware removal:

Remove LeadingModuleSearch-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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