Have you been struggling to remove Landslide Search from your Mac?
Landslide Search “Virus” App on Mac
Landslide Search is an application that is categorized as a potentially unwanted due to odd behavior noticed by users of popular computer systems like macOS and Windows. Typically, users install it without noticing the process. The moment they realize that Landslide “virus” is running on their computer is usually the moment they open a preferred web browser.
Further classification of Landslide Search is a browser hijacker. Browser hijackers are potentially unwanted applications that alter main browser settings without asking users for permission. Their goal is to replace the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page with a hoax search engine so that they can start spying on affected users’ online behavior.
Threat Summary
| Name | Landslide Search virus |
| Type | PUP |
| Short Description | A questionable application that hijacks Safari and Chrome browsers for Mac. Performs browser modifications without your knowledge. |
| Symptoms | The homepage, new tab page and search engine in preferred web browser may be set to display hoax search engine. Browser slowdowns may occur due to increased number of online ads. The program may start every time you start the affected Mac. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages |
| Detection Tool |
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Landslide Search virus. |
Landslide Search Unwanted Mac App – Spreading and Impact Overview
As it became clear Landslide Search is a browser hijacker. However, most of the affected users considered it as a virus. That’s why it can be dubbed Landslide Search virus or Landslide Search Mac virus.
Sometimes browser hijackers like Landslide Search misuse the reputation of popular search engines like Bing and Yahoo in order to remain unnoticed on the system for a longer time. That’s the case with Landslide as well. Once installed the hijacker accesses instelled browsers to set the Yahoo search engine as their default search engine, homepage and new tab page.
One of the channels used for the propagation of Landslide virus is its official website landslidesearch.com
As promoted on the official website – Landslide search will give you the most accurate search results, so you’ll always get the best results. At what price?
Among the side effects of having Landslide Search installed on your Mac / Windows system are:
- Read and change your data on all landslidesearch.com sites
- Communicate with cooperating websites
- Change your search settings to: search.landslidesearch.com
In fact, as long as Landslide search is running on your PC it is able to collect various details that define your online behavior, system performance and technical state. As a result, your affected browsers may get flooded by many annoying online advertisements.
Do you really need a search engine pushed by a program that aims to spy on your online behavior and deliver annoying ads? Well, we know you don’t. Nobody does. Our online security should be a real concern on a daily basis as our devices store lots of valuable information about our lives.
Since the presence of the Landslide Search “virus” on your Mac may lead to some serious system security and privacy-related issues we advise you to navigate to the removal instructions below and get rid of this undesired and potentially harmful program.
How to Remove Landslide Search from Affected Browser and macOS
In order to remove Landslide Search along with all entries it created on the system, you should complete several removal steps in a precise order. The guide below presents you manual and automatic removal approach. In order to fully get rid of files installed by undesired programs and strengthen macOS security, we recommend that you combine the steps. The manual Landslide Search removal might be quite a complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. If you don’t feel comfortable with the manual steps, navigate to the automatic part of the guide.
In case you have further questions or need additional help with the removal process, don’t hesitate to leave us a comment.
Gergana Ivanova
Highly motivated writer with 5+ years of experience writing for ransomware, malware, adware, PUPs, and other cybersecurity-related issues. As a writer, I strive to create content that is based on thorough technical research. I find joy in the process of creating articles that are easy to understand, informative, and useful. Follow me on Twitter (@IRGergana) for the latest in the field of computer, mobile, and online security.
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Steps to Prepare Before Removal:
Before starting to follow the steps below, be advised that you should first do the following preparations:
- Backup your files in case the worst happens.
- Make sure to have a device with these instructions on standy.
- Arm yourself with patience.
- 1. Scan for Mac Malware
- 2. Uninstall Risky Apps
- 3. Clean Your Browsers
Step 1: Scan for and remove Landslide Search virus files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Landslide Search virus, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Quick and Easy Mac Malware Video Removal Guide
Bonus Step: How to Make Your Mac Run Faster?
Mac machines maintain probably the fastest operating system out there. Still, Macs do become slow and sluggish sometimes. The video guide below examines all of the possible problems that may lead to your Mac being slower than usual as well as all of the steps that can help you to speed up your Mac.
Step 2: Uninstall Landslide Search virus and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:
3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to Landslide Search virus:
4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.
5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to Landslide Search virus. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.
6. Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to Landslide Search virus. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
7. Remove any leftover files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove Landslide Search virus via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
1. Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:
2. Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:
3. Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as Landslide Search virus. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 3: Remove Landslide Search virus – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
Landslide Search virus-FAQ
What is Landslide Search virus on your Mac?
The Landslide Search virus threat is probably a potentially unwanted app. There is also a chance it could be related to Mac malware. If so, such apps tend to slow your Mac down significantly and display advertisements. They could also use cookies and other trackers to obtain browsing information from the installed web browsers on your Mac.
Can Macs Get Viruses?
Yes. As much as any other device, Apple computers do get malware. Apple devices may not be a frequent target by malware authors, but rest assured that almost all of the Apple devices can become infected with a threat.
What Types of Mac Threats Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the types of threats that can currently infect your Mac can be rogue antivirus programs, adware or hijackers (PUPs), Trojan horses, ransomware and crypto-miner malware.
What To Do If I Have a Mac Virus, Like Landslide Search virus?
Do not panic! You can easily get rid of most Mac threats by firstly isolating them and then removing them. One recommended way to do that is by using a reputable malware removal software that can take care of the removal automatically for you.
There are many Mac anti-malware apps out there that you can choose from. SpyHunter for Mac is one of the reccomended Mac anti-malware apps, that can scan for free and detect any viruses. This saves time for manual removal that you would otherwise have to do.
How to Secure My Data from Landslide Search virus?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your e-mail passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activiites with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these reccomendations, your network and Apple devices will become significantly more safe against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
More tips you can find on our MacOS Virus section, where you can also ask any questions and comment about your Mac problems.
About the Landslide Search virus Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Landslide Search virus how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific macOS issue.
How did we conduct the research on Landslide Search virus?
Please note that our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware definitions, including the various types of Mac threats, especially adware and potentially unwanted apps (PUAs).
Furthermore, the research behind the Landslide Search virus threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.
Landslide Search is something that I encountered on my computer. I downloaded a program from The Pirate BAy torrent site. However the game installed this as well, I used this guide to remove the virus. Thank you.