How to uninstall the LeadingUpdater adware?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is LeadingUpdater?
LeadingUpdater is an adware-type application with browser hijacker qualities. Following successful infiltration, this piece of software delivers intrusive advertisement campaigns and modifies browser settings to promote fake search engines.
Additionally, most adware products and browser hijackers have data tacking abilities, which are used to spy on users' browsing habits. Hence, it is highly likely that LeadingUpdater has such functionality as well.
Since users typically download/install LeadingUpdater and apps similar to it inadvertently, they are also classified as PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications). One of the questionable methods used to distribute LeadingUpdater is via fake Adobe Flash Player updates.
It is noteworthy that illegitimate software updaters/installers may proliferate trojans, ransomware, cryptominers, other malware.
Adware enables the placement of pop-ups, banners, surveys, and other intrusive ads - on any visited website and/or different interfaces. The delivered adverts seriously diminish the browsing experience by overlaying page content and slowing down the browsing speed.
Furthermore, intrusive advertisements endanger device and user safety. These ads promote various sale-based, untrustworthy, misleading, deceptive/scam, and malicious sites.
Intrusive adverts can execute scripts to stealthily download/install software (e.g., PUAs) - once clicked on. Browser hijackers assign fake search engine addresses as browsers' homepage, new tab/window, and default search engine URLs.
Hence, with a browser hijacker installed: new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries typed into the URL bar - redirect to the promoted address. Illegitimate search engines usually cannot provide search results, so they tend to redirect (or cause redirection chains ending with) Yahoo, Bing, Google, and other genuine ones.
Browser hijackers can also restrict/deny access to the browser settings and/or undo any permitted changes made. Therefore, recovering a hijacked browser is impossible without eliminating the software affecting it.
Most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) can track data. Information of interest includes: browsing and search engine histories, IP addresses, geolocations, personally identifiable details, and so forth.
The collected data is then monetized by being shared with and/or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals). In summary, the presence of unwanted apps on devices - can lead to system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
To protect device integrity and user privacy, all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be removed without delay.
| Name | Ads by LeadingUpdater |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names (.service) | Avast (MacOS:Adload-AM [Trj]), Cyren (MacOS/Adload.A.gen!Camelot), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/TrojanDownloader.Adload.AE), Ikarus (Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Adload), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| Detection Names (.system) | Avast (MacOS:Adload-AM [Trj]), Cyren (MacOS/Adload.A.gen!Camelot), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/TrojanDownloader.Adload.AE), Ikarus (Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Adload), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| Additional Information | This application belongs to 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. |
SearchWebMesh, OperativeBitUnit, ExploreSync, and LaunchEntry are some examples of apps within the adware classification. They appear legitimate and offer various "handy" functionalities.
However, the promised features are usually nonoperational. In fact, this applies to nearly all PUAs.
The sole purpose of unwanted software is to generate profit for the developers; hence, functionality and user safety are irrelevant. PUAs are designed to deliver intrusive advertisement campaigns, force-open unreliable and malicious websites, hijack browsers, and gather private data.
How did LeadingUpdater install on my computer?
PUAs are spread via downloaders/installers of other software. This deceptive marketing technique of packing regular products with unwanted or malicious additions - is called "bundling".
Rushed download/installation processes (e.g., ignored terms, skipped steps and sections, etc.) increase the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the device. Upon being clicked, intrusive adverts can execute scripts to download/install PUAs without user consent. Select PUAs can also have "official" promotional/download webpages.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is recommended to research software products before download/installation and/or purchase. Additionally, all downloads must be performed from official and verified sources.
Untrustworthy download channels, e.g., unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other third-party downloaders - often offer dangerous and bundled content. Intrusive advertisements appear ordinary and harmless; however, they redirect to various questionable sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and so on).
In case of encounters with such ads and/or redirects, the system must be checked and all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - immediately removed from it. If your computer is already infected with LeadingUpdater, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up window displayed when LeadingUpdater adware is present on the system:
Text presented in this pop-up:
"LeadingUpdaterd" will damage your computer.
This file was downloaded on an unknown date.
OK
Show in finder
Delusive installer (fake Flash updater) promoting LeadingUpdater adware;
First installation step:
Second installation step:
Files related to the LeadingUpdater adware that need to be removed:
- ~/Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/Services/com.LeadingUpdater.service.app
- ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.LeadingUpdater.service.plist
- /Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/System/com.LeadingUpdater.system
- /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.LeadingUpdater.system.plist
IMPORTANT NOTE! In some cases malicious applications like LeadingUpdater alter system proxy settings, thereby causing unwanted redirects to a variety of questionable websites.
The redirects are likely to remain even after removing the application itself. Thus, you'll have to restore them manually.
Step 1: Click on the gear icon in the Dock to navigate to the system settings. If the icon is not present in the Dock, you can find it in the Launchpad.
Step 2: Navigate to the Network settings.
Step 3: Select the connected network and click "Advanced...".
Step 4: Click on the "Proxies" tab and untick all the protocols. You should also set the settings of each protocol to default - "*.local, 169.254/16".
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 LeadingUpdater?
- STEP 1. Remove LeadingUpdater related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove LeadingUpdater ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove LeadingUpdater adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove LeadingUpdater ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove LeadingUpdater adware using Combo Cleaner:
LeadingUpdater adware removal:
Remove LeadingUpdater-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.
Outstanding!
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