What is LeadingModuleSearch?
Experienced security professionals have determined that LeadingModuleSearch is a potentially unwanted program belonging to the Adware family. Adware is form of malicious software that can cause problems for your Mac. It can generate numerous additional pop up, banner, pop-under and in-text link ads flooding on your browser; collect your privacy data such as login details, online searches, etc; run in the background and drag down your MAC running speed; give more chances for other adware, PUPs even malicious software to get on your machine.
Unwanted ads
Does adware steal your privacy data? Adware can have spyware and keyloggers built into the program, leading to greater damage to your machine and possible invasion of your confidential information.
Threat Summary
| Name | LeadingModuleSearch |
| Type | adware, potentially unwanted application (PUA), pop up ads, pop-ups, pop-up virus |
| Symptoms |
|
| Removal | LeadingModuleSearch removal guide |
How does Adware get on your MAC
Adware spreads bundled with various freeware. This means that you need to be very careful when installing programs downloaded from the World Wide Web, even from a large proven hosting. Be sure to read the Terms of Use and the Software license, choose only the Manual, Advanced or Custom install type, switch off all undesired web-browser addons and apps are offered to install.
In the steps below, we will explain useful solutions on how to free your Apple Mac of adware and remove LeadingModuleSearch from your web browser.
How to remove LeadingModuleSearch adware
Fortunately, we’ve an effective method which will assist you manually or/and automatically delete LeadingModuleSearch from your internet browser and bring your web-browser settings, including newtab page, startpage and default search engine, back to normal. Below you’ll find a removal instructions with all the steps you may need to successfully delete adware and its traces. Read it once, after doing so, please bookmark this page (or open it on your smartphone) as you may need to close your internet browser or restart your Apple Mac.
To remove LeadingModuleSearch, perform the following steps:
- Manual LeadingModuleSearch adware removal
- Automatic Removal of LeadingModuleSearch adware software
- Use AdBlocker to stay safe online
- Finish words
Manual LeadingModuleSearch adware removal
The step-by-step tutorial made by our team will help you manually delete LeadingModuleSearch ads from your internet browser. If you have little experience in using computers, we recommend that you use the free utilities listed below.
Uninstall LeadingModuleSearch associated software by using the Finder
Check out the Finder (Applications section) to see all installed apps. If you see any unknown and dubious applications, they are the ones you need to delete.
Make sure you have closed all internet browsers and other apps. Next, delete any undesired and suspicious apps from computer using the Finder.
Open Finder and click “Applications”.
Look around the entire list of software installed on your MAC OS. Most likely, one of them is the LeadingModuleSearch adware. Choose the dubious program or the program that name is not familiar to you and remove it.
Drag the questionable program from the Applications folder to the Trash.
Most important, don’t forget, select Finder -> Empty Trash.
Remove LeadingModuleSearch adware from Mozilla Firefox
If the Mozilla Firefox web browser is re-directed to LeadingModuleSearch ads and you want to recover the Firefox settings back to their original settings, then you should follow the guide below. However, your saved bookmarks and passwords will not be lost. This will not affect your history, passwords, bookmarks, and other saved data.
First, run the Mozilla Firefox. Next, press the button in the form of three horizontal stripes (
). It will open the drop-down menu. Next, click the Help button (
).
In the Help menu click the “Troubleshooting Information”. In the upper-right corner of the “Troubleshooting Information” page press on “Refresh Firefox” button as displayed in the figure below.
Confirm your action, click the “Refresh Firefox”.
Remove LeadingModuleSearch from Safari
If you find that Safari web-browser settings like default search engine, newtab page and home page having been replaced by LeadingModuleSearch adware software, then you may revert back your settings, via the reset web browser procedure.
Run Safari web-browser. Next, select Preferences from the Safari menu.
First, click the “Security” tab. Here, choose “Block pop-up windows”. It will stop some types of popups.
Now, click the “Extensions” icon. Look for suspicious add-ons on left panel, choose it, then click the “Uninstall” button. Most important to get rid of all dubious plugins from Safari.
Once complete, check your startpage and search engine settings. Click “General” tab. Make sure that the “Homepage” field contains the website you want or is empty.
Make sure that the “Search engine” setting shows your preferred search provider. In some versions of Safari, this setting is in the “Search” tab.
Remove LeadingModuleSearch from Chrome
Resetting Google Chrome to default values is effective in removing the LeadingModuleSearch ads from your browser. This method is always helpful to perform if you have difficulty in removing changes caused by adware.
- First, launch the Chrome and click the Menu icon (icon in the form of three dots).
- It will open the Chrome main menu. Select More Tools, then click Extensions.
- You will see the list of installed plugins. If the list has the plugin labeled with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following tutorial: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy.
- Now open the Chrome menu once again, click the “Settings” menu.
- Next, click “Advanced” link, which located at the bottom of the Settings page.
- On the bottom of the “Advanced settings” page, click the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.
- The Chrome will display the reset settings prompt as shown on the screen above.
- Confirm the internet browser’s reset by clicking on the “Reset” button.
- To learn more, read the blog post How to reset Google Chrome settings to default.
Automatic Removal of LeadingModuleSearch adware software
If your MAC is still infected with LeadingModuleSearch , then the best method of detection and removal is to run an antimalware scan on the Apple Mac. Download free malicious software removal tools below and run a full system scan. It will allow you remove all components of the adware from hardisk and Windows registry.
How to automatically remove LeadingModuleSearch with MalwareBytes Free
We advise using the MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) that are fully clean your MAC OS of the adware. This free utility is an advanced malware removal program designed by (c) Malwarebytes lab. This application uses the world’s most popular anti malware technology. It’s able to help you remove annoying LeadingModuleSearch ads from your browsers, potentially unwanted software, malware, hijacker, toolbars, ransomware and other security threats from your MAC OS for free.
Installing the MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) is simple. First you will need to download MalwareBytes AntiMalware on your Microsoft Windows Desktop from the link below.
20988 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: September 10, 2020
After the download is complete, close all programs and windows on your MAC system. Run the saved file. Follow the prompts.
The MalwareBytes Free will automatically start and you can see its main screen as shown in the following example.
Now press the “Scan” button . MalwareBytes Anti Malware program will scan through the whole Apple Mac for the LeadingModuleSearch .
After the checking is finished, MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) will open you the results. Review the results once the utility has finished the system scan. If you think an entry should not be quarantined, then uncheck it. Otherwise, simply click “Remove Selected Items” button. The MalwareBytes will get rid of LeadingModuleSearch adware and move the selected items to the program’s quarantine.
Use AdBlocker to stay safe online
Running an ad blocking application like AdGuard is an effective way to alleviate the risks. Additionally, adblocker applications will also protect you from harmful ads and web pages, and, of course, stop redirection chain to misleading and similar web-pages.
- Installing the AdGuard is simple. First you’ll need to download AdGuard by clicking on the link below. Save it on your Windows desktop.
AdGuard for Mac download
3772 downloads
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: January 17, 2018
- Once the download is done, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
- After the installation is finished, click “Skip” to close the installation program and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial that will allow you get to know AdGuard better.
- In most cases, the default settings are enough and you don’t need to change anything. Each time, when you start your MAC OS, AdGuard will start automatically and stop undesired ads, block harmful or misleading web pages.
Finish words
Now your machine should be free of the LeadingModuleSearch adware. We suggest that you keep MalwareBytes Free (to periodically scan your computer for new adwares and other malicious software) and AdGuard (to help you block intrusive pop ups and malicious web-pages). Moreover, to prevent any adware, please stay clear of unknown and third party apps.
If you need more help with LeadingModuleSearch adware related issues, go to here.
