How to remove LogicalSearch adware from your Mac
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
How to remove LogicalSearch from Mac computers
What is LogicalSearch?
LogicalSearch is endorsed as an application for enhancing the browsing experience. It is supposedly capable of providing fast searches, improved search results and similar. In fact, it acts as adware and runs advertisement campaigns - delivering intrusive, unwanted, and even harmful ads. Adware-type apps commonly have data tracking abilities, which they use to monitor and gather browsing-related information. Due to the dubious methods used to distribute LogicalSearch, it is classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).
Adware displays a wide variety of intrusive ads including, for example, banners, pop-ups, surveys, and coupons to name just a few. Advertisements of this kind significantly diminish the browsing experience - they limit browsing speed and website visibility (by overlaying web page content). They are also considered to be a threat to browser/system health and user safety. Clicking these ads redirects users to sale-based, untrustworthy, compromised, deceptive/scam and malicious sites. Some can even execute scripts designed to download/install unwanted or malicious content, without users' permission. PUAs are a prime example of content that can infiltrate devices via intrusive ads. As well as delivering ad campaigns, PUAs can generate redirects to likewise hazardous web pages. Some can make unauthorized changes to browsers and limit or deny access to settings (i.e., they hijack browsers). Most PUAs can track data, and this ability is not exclusive to adware. They record browsing habits (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and collect users' personal information (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). This vulnerable data can then be shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) seeking to misuse it for financial gain. In summary, PUAs can cause various browser and system infiltration/infections, and lead to severe privacy issues, financial loss, and even identity theft. If LogicalSearch is already installed, you should remove it without delay. To ensure device and user safety, remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.
| Name | Ads by LogicalSearch |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:Adload-AD [Trj]), BitDefender (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.Rload.5), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/TrojanDownloader.Adload.AE), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Cimpli.k), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| Symptoms | Your Mac becomes slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you are redirected to dubious websites. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers, torrent file downloads. |
| Damage | Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites, loss of private information. |
| Malware Removal (Mac) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
NeedWebSearch, ProductTask, and ProdigySearch are just some examples of adware similar to LogicalSearch. In general, all PUAs share certain common traits. They often seem legitimate and lure users to install by offering a wide array of "useful" and "beneficial" features. These functions rarely work as promised and, in most cases, are nonoperational. The only purpose of PUAs is to generate revenue for the developers, whilst regular users receive no genuine value. Rather than operating as advertised, PUAs deliver intrusive ad campaigns, cause redirects, hijack browsers, and track private data.
How did LogicalSearch install on my computer?
PUAs are mostly proliferated via the download/install set-ups of other products. This deceptive marketing method of packing normal software with unwanted or malicious content is called "bundling". Rushing download/installation processes (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps, using pre-set options, etc.) increases the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled applications onto devices. Certain PUAs also have "official" download pages. As mentioned, when clicked, intrusive ads stealthily download/install PUAs.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
Research all content, before downloading/installing. Use only official and verified download channels. Peer-to-Peer sharing networks (BtTorrent, Gnutella, eMule, etc.), unofficial and free file-hosting websites, third party downloaders and similar sources are untrusted. When downloading/installing, read the terms, explore all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out of supplementary apps, tools, functions, etc. Intrusive ads may seem legitimate and harmless, however, they can redirect to dubious web pages (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and others). If you encounter ads/redirects of this type, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and/or browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with LogicalSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up window displayed once LogicalSearch installation is complete:
Installation folder of LogicalSearch adware:
Instant automatic Mac malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of Mac malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner for Mac
By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited three days free trial available.
Quick menu:
- What is LogicalSearch?
- STEP 1. Remove LogicalSearch related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove LogicalSearch ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove LogicalSearch adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove LogicalSearch ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove LogicalSearch adware using Combo Cleaner:
LogicalSearch adware removal:
Remove LogicalSearch-related potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:
Click the Finder icon. In the Finder window, select "Applications". In the applications folder, look for "MPlayerX","NicePlayer", or other suspicious applications and drag them to the Trash. After removing the potentially unwanted application(s) that cause online ads, scan your Mac for any remaining unwanted components.
Remove ads by logicalsearch related files and folders:
Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...
Check for adware-generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents
In the “LaunchAgents” folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - “installmac.AppRemoval.plist”, “myppes.download.plist”, “mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist”, “kuklorest.update.plist”, etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the same string.
Check for adware generated files in the /Library/Application Support folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/Application Support
In the “Application Support” folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, “MplayerX” or “NicePlayer”, and move these folders to the Trash.
Check for adware-generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents folder:
In the Go to Folder bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents
In the “LaunchAgents” folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - “installmac.AppRemoval.plist”, “myppes.download.plist”, “mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist”, “kuklorest.update.plist”, etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the same string.
Check for adware-generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons
In the “LaunchDaemons” folder, look for recently-added suspicious files. For example “com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist”, “com.myppes.net-preferences.plist”, "com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist”, “com.avickUpd.plist”, etc., and move them to the Trash.
Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:
If you have followed all the steps in the correct order you Mac should be clean of infections. To be sure your system is not infected run a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus. Download it HERE. After downloading the file double click combocleaner.dmg installer, in the opened window drag and drop Combo Cleaner icon on top of the Applications icon. Now open your launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon. Wait until Combo Cleaner updates it's virus definition database and click "Start Combo Scan" button.
Combo Cleaner will scan your Mac for malware infections. If the antivirus scan displays "no threats found" - this means that you can continue with the removal guide, otherwise it's recommended to remove any found infections before continuing.
After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.
Ads by LogicalSearch removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove ads by logicalsearch related Safari extensions:
Open Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".
In the preferences window, select "Extensions" and look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions. When located, click the "Uninstall" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Safari browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Remove ads by logicalsearch related Mozilla Firefox add-ons:
Open your Mozilla Firefox browser. At the top right corner of the screen, click the "Open Menu" (three horizontal lines) button. From the opened menu, choose "Add-ons".
Choose the "Extensions" tab and look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the "Remove" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Mozilla Firefox browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Remove ads by logicalsearch related Google Chrome add-ons:
Open Google Chrome and click the "Chrome menu" (three horizontal lines) button located in the top-right corner of the browser window. From the drop-down menu, choose "More Tools" and select "Extensions".
In the "Extensions" window, look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the "Trash" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Google Chrome browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
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