What Is Leading Service Search Mac Adware?
Leading Service Search adware for Mac is a program that affects Apple devices to display sponsored content and generate revenue for its owners. If you want to remove LeadingServiceSearch from your Mac use this removal guide.
The Leading Service Search is a potentially unwanted program of adware-type that has been detected to infect Mac devices. The program is designed to invade systems without victims’ knowledge. Once installed on a Mac, the adware performs various operations to adjust system settings and alter main browser preferences in installed browsers. It may install unwanted browser extensions that support its shady activities. Adware affects Macs with the goal to generate various types of ads. The explanation is that these ads may generate revenue for adware owners. Ads may be of the following types – browser redirects, pop-ups, banners, pop-unders, etc. Be careful when you notice some suspicious ads in the browser. Some of these ads may be presenting misleading information in an attempt to convince you to visit sponsored content.
If you see Leading Service Search adware on your Mac or some kind of fake software update notifications in the browser, you should take action to detect and remove potentially unwanted files from both the affected system and browser.
Leading Service Search Adware Summary
| Name | Leading Service Search / LeadingServiceSearch |
| Type | Adware, PUP |
| Short Description | A questionable application that hijacks Safari and Chrome browsers installed on macOS. Performs browser modifications without your knowledge. Generates annoying ads. |
| Symptoms | The homepage, new tab page and search engine in preferred web browser may be set to display a 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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Leading Service Search PUP on Mac – How Did I Get It?
Leading Service Search is a potentially unwanted applications that gets installed on Mac devices via shady methods. The most preferred method is third-party apps installers. Apps with compromised installers can be downloaded from various bogus and poorly secured websites. The setups of these apps are usually set to install additional programs by default. So if you skip reading all details mentioned in the EULA or miss the Advanced/Custom configuration approach. To avoid unwanted programs from affecting your Mac you should always look for the Custom or Advanced settings. There you should be able to deselect what you don’t want.
You may stay unaware of the installation process of Leading Service Search until you see it the Applications section on your Mac. The Leading Service Search application for Mac is reported by security researchers to act like an adware program. This means that the program lands on target operating systems to deliver intrusive advertisements.
What Does Leading Service Search Do?
This issue may slow down system performance and make affected browsers sluggish. Please note the possibility of opening poorly secured or hacked websites in the browser. Sometimes adware apps are misused for the realization of malvertising campaigns. That being so, means that Leading Service Search may be set to present ads related to corrupted websites. A visit to such a site may trigger a drive-by-download attack. As a result, the Mac may be infected by some kind of malware.
As long as Leading Service Search is running on your Mac you may also notice that your preferred browser is acting strangely. For example, it starts presenting you with a new homepage and default search engine. It may also be forced to open new tabs that redirect to bogus sites that present misleading offers. All these changes indicate that the program is acting as a browser hijacker as well.
Unfortunately, some of the details you enter when logging in a given website including usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, etc. may be obtained by Leading Service Search’s owners. Furthermore, the undesired app is likely to create an additional user profile, so that it can add lines of code that enable it to gain access to the main user account that has root permissions. That’s why the manual removal process of Leading Service Search adware from a Mac may be a very difficult task.
How to Remove Leading Service Search from an Affected Mac
In order to remove Leading Service Search along with all entries it created on the Mac system, you should complete several removal steps in a precise order. The guide below presents manual and automatic removal approaches. 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 Leading Service 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.
Notice: Before manually removing files or folders on your Mac, make sure to identify the accurate components of Leading Service Search, because deleting other apps’ files or system settings files by mistake may trigger malfunction of installed apps or even your system.
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 Leading Service Search Adware files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Leading Service Search Adware, 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 Leading Service Search Adware 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 Leading Service Search Adware:
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 Leading Service Search Adware. 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 Leading Service Search Adware. 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 Leading Service Search Adware 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 Leading Service Search Adware. 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 Leading Service Search Adware – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
Leading Service Search Adware-FAQ
What is Leading Service Search Adware on your Mac?
The Leading Service Search Adware 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 siginficantly and display advertisements. They could also use cookies and other trackers to obtain browsing information from the installed web browsers on your Mac.
The creators of such unwanted apps work with pay-per-click schemes to get your Mac to visit risky or different types of websites that may generate them funds. This is why they do not even care what types of websites show up on the ads. This makes their unwanted software indirectly risky for your MacOS.
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 the following Apple devices can become infected with a threat:
- iMac
- Mac Mini
- Macbook Air
- Macbook Pro
- iPhone
- iPad
What Are The Symptoms of Leading Service Search Adware On Mac?
There are several symptoms to look for when this particular threat and also most Mac threats in general are active:
Symptom #1: Your Mac may become slow and has poor performance in general.
Symtpom #2: You have toolbars, add-ons or extensions on your web browsers that you don't remember adding.
Symptom #3: You see all types of ads, like ad-supported search results, pop-ups and redirects to randomly appear.
Symptom #4: You see installed apps on your Mac running automatically and you do not remember installing them.
Symptom #5: You see suspicious processes running in your Mac's Activity Monitor.
If you see one or more of those symptoms, then security experts reccomend that you check your Mac for viruses.
What Types of Mac Threats Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the threats that can currently infect your Mac can be the following types:
- Rogue Antivirus programs.
- Adware and hijackers.
- Trojan horses and other spyware.
- Ransomware and screen-lockers.
- Cryptocurrency miner malware.
What To Do If I Have a Mac Virus, Like Leading Service Search Adware?
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 Leading Service Search Adware?
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 Leading Service Search Adware Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Leading Service Search Adware 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 Leading Service Search Adware?
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 Leading Service Search Adware threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.