How to uninstall LeadingAdviseSearch adware

What is LeadingAdviseSearch?

LeadingAdviseSearch is a rogue application categorized as adware that has browser hijacker traits. Following successful installation, it runs intrusive advertisement campaigns and also modifies browsers to promote fake search engines.

Additionally, most adware type apps and browser hijackers monitor users' browsing activity, and it is highly likely that LeadingAdviseSearch does so as well. Due to the dubious methods used to proliferate this adware, it is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

One of LeadingAdviseSearch's proliferation techniques is via fake Adobe Flash Player updates. As well as PUAs, bogus software installers/updaters also spread through Trojans, ransomware and other malware.

Adware operates by delivering pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys and other intrusive ads. These reduce browsing speed and limit website visibility (by overlaying page content). Furthermore, once clicked, the ads redirect to various other dubious and malicious sites.

Some intrusive advertisements can be triggered (when clicked) to execute scripts designed to stealthily download/install rogue software (e.g. PUAs). Browser hijackers reassign the default search engine, homepage, and new tab/window URLs to the addresses of bogus search engines.

Therefore, with this software infiltrated, each new browser tab/widow opened and each search query typed into the URL bar redirects to the promoted address. Fake search engines are seldom capable of generating unique results, and so they redirect (or cause redirection chains leading) to Google, Yahoo, Bing and other legitimate sites.

Recovering a hijacked browser is impossible without removing the software affecting it, since browser hijackers can restrict/deny access to the browser settings and/or automatically undo any permitted changes made. As mentioned, most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) have data tracking capabilities.

They can record browsing activity (URLs visited, web pages viewed, search queries, etc.) and gather personal information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other sensitive details). The collected data is usually shared with and/or sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals), similarly seeking to misuse it for profit.

In summary, the presence of unwanted apps on devices can lead to system infections, financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft. To protect device and user safety, remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be eliminated immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by LeadingAdviseSearch
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).
Additional Information	This application belongs to the Adload malware family.
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.

RequestTop, OdysseusLookup, and SearchRange are some examples of other adware-type apps. They may seem normal and harmless, and users are enticed into download/installation with a wide variety of "useful" features, however, the functionality promised rarely works. In fact, this is true of most PUAs.

The only purpose of these applications is to generate revenue for the developers. PUAs deliver intrusive ad campaigns, hijack browsers, cause redirects and track private information.

How did LeadingAdviseSearch install on my computer?

PUAs are distributed through the download/installation set-ups of other products. This deceptive marketing tactic of packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions is called "bundling".

By rushing through download/installation processes (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps, using presets, etc.), many users risk unintentionally allowing bundled content onto their devices. Some PUAs have "official" download websites. Intrusive advertisements proliferate these applications as well.

When clicked, they can execute scripts to download/install PUAs without users' permission.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are advised to research all software prior to download/installation. All downloads must be done from official and verified sources. Untrusted channels such as unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders commonly offer deceptive and/or bundled content.

When downloading/installing, read the terms, study all possible options, use the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings and opt-out of supplementary apps, tool, features, and so on. Intrusive ads may seem legitimate, however, they can redirect to dubious web pages (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).

If you encounter ads/redirects of this kind, check the system and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with LeadingAdviseSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Files related to LeadingAdviseSearch adware that need to be removed:

• ~/Library/Application Support/com.LeadingAdviseSearch/LeadingAdviseSearch
• ~/Library/Application Support/com.LeadingAdviseSearchDaemon/LeadingAdviseSearch
• /Library/LaunchAgents/com.LeadingAdviseSearch.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.LeadingAdviseSearchDaemon.plist

IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps that promote LeadingAdviseSearch 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 "LeadingAdviseSearch" 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 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 LeadingAdviseSearch?
• STEP 1. Remove LeadingAdviseSearch related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove LeadingAdviseSearch ads from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove LeadingAdviseSearch adware from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove LeadingAdviseSearch ads from Mozilla Firefox.

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

LeadingAdviseSearch adware removal:

Remove LeadingAdviseSearch-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.

▼ Show Discussion