How To Remove LeadingModuleSearch From Mac Computer

Tips To Delete LeadingModuleSearch From System

LeadingModuleSearch is a kind of hazardous malware infection which upon getting into the Mac PCs, hijacks the pre-installed web browsers like Chrome, Explorer, Firefox etc. and alters their default settings. It is presented as a useful tool that provides enhanced search results and many other features and improves users’ Online experience. However, security experts have identified it as a potentially unwanted program which performs a series of malevolent activities in the background of the compromised PC and causes multiple pernicious issues in the work-station. It aims to promote third-party products, services and websites and make Online revenues for the creators.

Initially, LeadingModuleSearch replaces the default browser’s settings such as home page, search engine and new tab addresses with another domain and grabs full control over entire browser. It manipulates your search results and shows inorganic outcomes that are mixed with commercial contents and other forms of advertisements. You are continuously flooded with thousands of annoying ads and pop-ups all over the day that makes your web sessions very complex. These ads include sponsored links and lead you to unknown web portals upon being clicked where numerous third-party products and services are promoted. However, it’s not necessary that all these sites are harmless and safe to visit. LeadingModuleSearch may also reroute you to potentially dangerous websites that are filled with malevolent contents and cause more threats to your device.

Freeware And Shareware Downloads bring Adware:

According to the security experts, such types of potentially unwanted programs often get delivered in packages of shareware and freeware. Such illusive distribution method is called “software bundling” and is used by several third-party developers. The best way to prevent these secret hijacker, adware and other PUP installations is to avoid downloading and installing software from untrustworthy third-party sites such as download.com, softonic.com and cnet.com.

Moreover, always use Advanced or Custom mode to install the application as here you will be able to track all the incoming components and opt-out the tools that give a concerning look. Additionally, LeadingModuleSearch or other similar PUP are also carried in malicious advertisements, hyperlinks and fake software updates that get posted on vicious domains. If you browser or anti-malware program has notified that you are trying to visit an infectious site, you should stop doing this and close the Window instead.

Threat Details

Name: LeadingModuleSearch

Type: Adware, Potentially unwanted program, Mac virus

Functionality: Aims to redirect Mac users to affiliated websites, promote sponsored products, services and programs and make Online revenues for the developers, Also steal users’ personal and confidential information and share them with hackers for evil purposes.

Symptoms: Endless intrusive ads, default Internet search engine, Fake pop-up messages, identity theft, new tab settings. Users are enforced to visit hijacker’s website and search the Internet using their search engines, slowness of infected system’s performance.

Distribution methods: Free software installers (bundling), Deceptive emails, malicious pop-ups ads, fake flash player installers.

Damage: Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites.

Removal: To get rid of This infection and other malware threats, our security researchers recommend scanning your computer with a powerful anti-malware tool.

Other Harmful Acts of LeadingModuleSearch:

LeadingModuleSearch is able to track your web activities, steal all your personal data relating to banking and other financial details and share them with hackers for bad intentions. Your sensitive information can be misused by vicious scammers for evil purposes that will cause you to suffer a big financial loss. And therefore, it’s is a big threat for your privacy too. Additionally, the collected data is also sold to third-parties who then try to lure you into buying their products and services. This nasty adware displays fake update notifications stating that some of your vital apps need to be updated quickly and then tries to scam you into installing bogus software. It enables remote criminals to get access to your PC and contribute malicious deeds inside for their delicate welfare.

LeadingModuleSearch eats up enormous amount of memory resources and slows down the overall PC performance drastically. Due to this, system begins responding slower than ever before and takes more than usual time to complete any task. It changes the default registry settings by making spiteful entries in it which allows the threat to get automatically activated every time the device is started. It messes with important system files that are essential for smooth computer functioning and prevents many installed apps as well as drivers from working in a proper manner. And therefore, don’t waste any time, just take a quick action and remove LeadingModuleSearch from the machine by following the complete removal steps given below.

Remove Files and Folders Related to LeadingModuleSearch

Open the “Menu” bar and click the “Finder” icon. Select “Go” and click on “Go to Folder…”

Step 1: Search the suspicious and doubtful malware generated files in /Library/LaunchAgents folder

Type /Library/LaunchAgents in the “Go to Folder” option

In the “Launch Agent” folder, search for all the files that you have recently downloaded and move them to “Trash”. Few of the examples of files created by browser-hijacker or adware are as follow, “myppes.download.plist”, “mykotlerino.Itvbit.plist”, installmac.AppRemoval.plist”, and “kuklorest.update.plist” and so on.

Step 2: Detect and remove the files generated by the adware in “/Library/Application” Support folder

In the “Go to Folder..bar”, type “/Library/Application Support”

Search for any suspicious newly added folders in “Application Support” folder. If you detect any one of these like “NicePlayer” or “MPlayerX” then send them to “Trash” folder.

Step 3: Look for the files generated by malware in /Library/LaunchAgent Folder:

Go to Folder bar and type /Library/LaunchAgents

You are in the “LaunchAgents” folder. Here, you have to search for all the newly added files and move them to “Trash” if you find them suspicious. Some of the examples of suspicious files generated by malware are “myppes.download.plist”, “installmac.AppRemoved.plist”, “kuklorest.update.plist”, “mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist” and so on.

Step4: Go to /Library/LaunchDaemons Folder and search for the files created by malware

Type /Library/LaunchDaemons in the “Go To Folder” option

In the newly opened “LaunchDaemons” folder, search for any recently added suspicious files and move them to “Trash”. Examples of some of the suspicious files are “com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist”, “com.avickUpd.plist”, “com.myppes.net-preference.plist”, “com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist” and so on.

Step 5: Use Combo Cleaner Anti-Malware and Scan your Mac PC

The malware infections could be removed from the Mac PC if you execute all the steps mentioned above in the correct way. However, it is always advised to be sure that your PC is not infected. It is suggested to scan the work-station with “Combo Cleaner Anti-virus”.

Once the file gets downloaded, double click on combocleaner.dmg installer in the newly opened window. Next is to open the “Launchpad” and press on “Combo Cleaner” icon. It is advised to wait until “Combo Cleaner” updates the latest definition for malware detection. Click on “Start Combo Scan” button.

A depth scan of your Mac PC will be executed in order to detect malware. If the Anti-virus scan report says “no threat found” then you can continue with guide further. On the other hand, it is recommended to delete the detected malware infection before continuing.

Now the files and folders created by the adware is removed, you have to remove the rogue extensions from the browsers.

Remove LeadingModuleSearch from Internet Browsers

Delete Doubtful and Malicious Extension from Safari

Go to “Menu Bar” and open “Safari” browser. Select “Safari” and then “Preferences”

In the opened “preferences” window, select “Extensions” that you have recently installed. All such extensions should be detected and click the “Uninstall” button next to it. If you are doubtful then you can remove all the extensions from “Safari” browser as none of them are important for smooth functionality of the browser.

In case if you continue facing unwanted webpage redirections or aggressive advertisements bombarding, you can reset the “Safari” browser.

“Reset Safari”

Open the Safari menu and choose “preferences…” from the drop-down menu.

Go to the “Extension” tab and set the extension slider to “Off” position. This disables all the installed extensions in the Safari browser

Next step is to check the homepage. Go to “Preferences…” option and choose “General” tab. Change the homepage to your preferred URL.

Also check the default search-engine provider settings. Go to “Preferences…” window and select the “Search” tab and select the search-engine provider that you want such as “Google”.

Next is to clear the Safari browser Cache- Go to “Preferences…” window and select “Advanced” tab and click on “Show develop menu in the menu bar.“

Go to “Develop” menu and select “Empty Caches”.

Remove website data and browsing history. Go to “Safari” menu and select “Clear History and Website Data”. Choose “all history” and then click on “Clear History”.

Remove Unwanted and Malicious Plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox

Delete LeadingModuleSearch add-ons from Mozilla Firefox

Open the Firefox Mozilla browser. Click on the “Open Menu” present in the top right corner of the screen. From the newly opened menu, choose “Add-ons”.

Go to “Extension” option and detect all the latest installed add-ons. Select each of the suspicious add-ons and click on “Remove” button next to them.

In case if you want to “reset” the Mozilla Firefox browser then follow the steps that has been mentioned below.

Reset Mozilla Firefox Settings

Open the Firefox Mozilla browser and click on “Firefox” button situated at the top left corner of the screen.

In the new menu, go to “Help” sub-menu and choose “Troubleshooting Information”

In the “Troubleshooting Information” page, click on “Reset Firefox” button.

Confirm that you want to reset the Mozilla Firefox settings to default by pressing on “Reset Firefox” option

The browser will get restarted and the settings changes to factory default

Delete Unwanted and Malicious Extensions from Google Chrome

Open the chrome browser and click on “Chrome menu”. From the drop down option, choose “More Tools” and then “Extensions”.

In the “Extensions” option, search for all the recently installed add-ons and extensions. Select them and choose “Trash” button. Any third-party extension is not important for the smooth functionality of the browser.

Reset Google Chrome Settings

Open the browser and click on three line bar at the top right side corner of the window.

Go to the bottom of the newly opened window and select “Show advanced settings”.

In the newly opened window, scroll down to the bottom and choose “Reset browser settings”

Click on the “Reset” button on the opened “Reset browser settings” window

Restart the browser and the changes you get will be applied

The above mentioned manual process should be executed as it is mentioned. It is a cumbersome process and requires a lot of technical expertise. And hence it is advised for technical experts only. To be sure that your PC is free from malware, it is better that you scan the work-station with a powerful anti-malware tool. The automatic malware removal application is preferred because it doesn’t requires any additional technical skills and expertise.

Download the application and execute it on the PC to begin the depth scanning. Once the scanning gets completed, it shows the list of all the files related to LeadingModuleSearch. You can select such harmful files and folders and remove them immediately.