What is LeadingServiceSearch
According to security professionals, LeadingServiceSearch is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that belongs to the Adware family . Adware can cause problems for your computer. Adware can display intrusive adverts on your computer screen so that your cannot stop them, redirect your internet browser to malicious websites, and it can cause undesired web-pages to pop up on your web browser. Adware might end up on your Apple Mac after you download and install free applications from a dubious source.
Unwanted ads
The worst is, adware can analyze the location and which Internet web-pages you visit, and then show ads to the types of content, goods or services featured there. Adware developers can collect and sell your browsing information and behavior to third parties.
We recommend to delete LeadingServiceSearch adware, as soon as you found this problem, as it can redirect your browser to web-resources that may load other unwanted software on your Apple Mac.
How does LeadingServiceSearch get on your Apple Mac
Many of the freeware out there install unwanted internet browser toolbars, browser hijackers, adware and PUPs along with them without your knowledge. One has to be attentive while installing free applications in order to avoid accidentally installing bundled applications. It’s important that you pay attention to the EULA (End User License Agreements) and choose the Custom, Manual or Advanced installation option as it will typically disclose what optional applications will also be installed.
Threat Summary
| Name | LeadingServiceSearch, Leading Service Search 1.0 app |
| Type | adware, PUP (potentially unwanted program), pop up advertisements, pop ups, pop up virus |
| Symptoms |
|
| Removal | LeadingServiceSearch removal guide |
How to remove LeadingServiceSearch
If you have constant pop-ups or unwanted ads, slow MAC OS, freezing machine issues, you are in need of adware removal assistance. The steps below will guide you forward to get LeadingServiceSearch adware removed and will assist you get your computer operating at peak capacity again.
To remove LeadingServiceSearch, use the steps below:
- How to remove LeadingServiceSearch without any software
- Automatic Removal of LeadingServiceSearch adware
- How to stay safe online
- Finish words
How to remove LeadingServiceSearch without any software
This part of the post is a step-by-step tutorial that will allow you to remove adware software manually. You just need to follow every step. In this case, you do not need to install any additional tools.
Remove questionable applications using the Finder
The process of adware software removal is generally the same across all versions of Mac OS. To start with, it’s necessary to check the list of installed applications on your MAC and uninstall all unused, unknown and dubious programs.
Make sure you have closed all internet browsers and other software. Next, remove any unwanted and suspicious software from machine using the Finder.
Open Finder and click “Applications”.
Look around the entire list of apps installed on your computer. Most probably, one of them is the LeadingServiceSearch adware. Select the questionable program or the program that name is not familiar to you and delete it.
Drag the suspicious program from the Applications folder to the Trash.
Most important, don’t forget, select Finder -> Empty Trash.
Remove LeadingServiceSearch adware from Firefox
Resetting Mozilla Firefox browser will reset all the settings to their original settings and will remove LeadingServiceSearch ads, malicious add-ons and extensions. However, your saved passwords and bookmarks will not be changed, deleted or cleared.
First, start the 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 click on “Refresh Firefox” button like below.
Confirm your action, click the “Refresh Firefox”.
Get rid of LeadingServiceSearch from Safari
The Safari reset is great if your browser is hijacked or you have unwanted add-ons or toolbars on your browser, that installed by an malware.
Click Safari menu and choose “Preferences”.
It will open the Safari Preferences window. Next, click the “Extensions” tab. Look for unknown and suspicious extensions on left panel, select it, then click the “Uninstall” button. Most important to delete all unknown extensions from Safari.
Once complete, click “General” tab. Change the “Default Search Engine” to Google.
Find the “Homepage” and type into textfield “https://www.google.com”.
Remove LeadingServiceSearch adware from Google Chrome
Run the Reset web-browser tool of the Chrome to reset all its settings like home page, search provider by default and new tab to original defaults. This is a very useful utility to use, in the case of adware infection.
Open the Chrome menu by clicking on the button in the form of three horizontal dotes (
). It will show the drop-down menu. Choose More Tools, then click Extensions.
Carefully browse through the list of installed extensions. If the list has the extension labeled with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following guide: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy otherwise, just go to the step below.
Open the Chrome main menu again, click to “Settings” option.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the “Advanced” link. Now scroll down until the Reset settings section is visible, as displayed on the image below and press the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.
Confirm your action, click the “Reset” button.
Automatic Removal of LeadingServiceSearch adware
The easiest method to remove LeadingServiceSearch is to run an anti-malware application capable of detecting adware. We advise try MalwareBytes Anti Malware or another free malicious software remover that listed below. It has excellent detection rate when it comes to adware, browser hijacker infections and other PUPs.
How to automatically delete LeadingServiceSearch with MalwareBytes
Manual LeadingServiceSearch removal requires some computer skills. Some files that created by the adware can be not fully removed. We recommend that use the MalwareBytes that are fully clean your MAC OS of adware. Moreover, this free tool will allow you to delete browser hijacker, malicious software, PUPs and toolbars that your MAC system can be infected too.
- Click the following link to download MalwareBytes Free.
Malwarebytes Anti-malware (Mac)
20851 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: September 10, 2020
- After the downloading process is finished, please close all programs and open windows on your MAC system. Run the downloaded file. Follow the prompts.
- The MalwareBytes will launch and open the main window.
- Further, click the “Scan” button to scan for LeadingServiceSearch adware. While the MalwareBytes utility is scanning, you can see how many objects it has identified as being affected by malicious software.
- After finished, MalwareBytes will open a screen which contains a list of malware that has been detected.
- When you are ready, click the “Remove Selected Items” button.
- Close the Anti Malware and continue with the next step.
How to stay safe online
It is also critical to protect your web-browsers from malicious webpages and advertisements by using an ad blocker application such as AdGuard. Security experts says that it’ll greatly reduce the risk of malicious software, and potentially save lots of money. Additionally, the AdGuard can also protect your privacy by blocking almost all trackers.
Please go to the link below to download AdGuard.
3687 downloads
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: January 17, 2018
Once the downloading process is complete, run the downloaded file. The “Setup Wizard” window will show up on the computer screen.
Follow the prompts. AdGuard will then be installed. A window will show up asking you to confirm that you want to see a quick guide. Click “Skip” button to close the window and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial which will assist you get to know AdGuard better.
Each time, when you launch your MAC OS, AdGuard will start automatically and stop annoying ads, block harmful and misleading web pages.
Finish words
Now your machine should be clean of the LeadingServiceSearch adware. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you stop unwanted pop-up advertisements and annoying malicious web sites) and MalwareBytes Free (to periodically scan your MAC OS for new malware, browser hijackers and adware software). Make sure that you have all the Critical Updates recommended for Mac OS. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new hijacker infections, harmful apps and adware are released.
If you are still having problems while trying to get rid of LeadingServiceSearch ads from your internet browser, then ask for help here.
