How to uninstall LeadingServiceSearch adware from the operating system

What is LeadingServiceSearch?

LeadingServiceSearch is rogue software classified as adware with browser hijacker traits. Following successful installation, this application runs intrusive advertisement campaigns, makes changes to browser settings and promotes fake search engines.

Additionally, most adware-type apps and browser hijackers have data tracking capabilities, which are used to record and collect browsing-related information. Since most users download/install LeadingServiceSearch unintentionally, it is classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

One of the dubious techniques used to proliferate this app is via fake Adobe Flash Player updates. Note that bogus software updaters/installers proliferate PUAs, Trojans, ransomware, and other malware.

Adware delivers pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys and other intrusive advertisements. These significantly diminish the browsing experience, as they overlay web page content and reduce browsing speed. When clicked, intrusive ads redirect to dubious/malicious websites, and some can even stealthily download/install rogue software (e.g. PUAs).

Browser hijackers assign the addresses of fake search engines as the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs. Therefore, with this software installed, each new browser tab/window opened and each search query typed into the URL bar redirects to the address of the promoted bogus search engine.

These fake search engines have no real value to regular users, since they are typically unable to provide unique results. Therefore, the promoted search engines tend to redirect to Google, Yahoo, Bing and other legitimate sites. Furthermore, browser hijackers can restrict/deny access to the browser settings and/or undo any permitted changes made.

Most PUAs (adware and browser hijacker included) can track data. They can monitor browsing activity (visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, etc.) and gather personal information derived from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). The collected data is usually shared with and/or sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

To summarize, the presence of these unwanted apps on devices can result in system infections, financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft. To ensure device and user safety, all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be eliminated immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by LeadingServiceSearch
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.A), Fortinet (Adware/Adload!OSX), 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.

ExploreParameter, GeneralBoardSearch, ProgramInitiator and DefaultAnalog are some examples of other adware-type apps. They may seem legitimate and offer a wide variety of "useful" functionality, however, the advertised features are seldom operational.

In fact, this applies to most PUAs. The only purpose of this unwanted software is to generate profit for the developers. PUAs deliver intrusive ad campaigns, modify browsers, cause redirects and collect private data.

How did LeadingServiceSearch install on my computer?

PUAs are distributed through the download/installation set-ups of other software. This deceptive marketing method of packing regular products with unwanted or malicious additions is called "bundling". Rushing download/installation processes (e.g. ignoring terms, using pre-set options, etc.) increases the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the system.

Certain PUAs have "official" download web pages. Intrusive ads proliferate these applications as well. Once clicked, they can execute scripts to download/install PUAs without users' consent.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

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

When downloading/installing, it is important to read the terms, study all possible options, use the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings and opt-out of supplementary apps, tools, features, etc. Intrusive ads usually seem normal and harmless, however, they can redirect to highly suspicious sites (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).

If you encounter these advertisements or redirects, inspect the system and remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins without delay. If your computer is already infected with LeadingServiceSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Files related to LeadingServiceSearch adware that need to be removed:

• ~/Library/Application Support/com.LeadingServiceSearch/LeadingServiceSearch
• ~/Library/Application Support/com.LeadingServiceSearchDaemon/LeadingServiceSearch
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.LeadingServiceSearch.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.LeadingServiceSearchDaemon.plist

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

Video showing how to remove LeadingServiceSearch adware using Combo Cleaner:

LeadingServiceSearch adware removal:

Remove LeadingServiceSearch-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