How to uninstall LeadingLibrary adware from your operating system

What is LeadingLibrary?

LeadingLibrary is a rogue application classified as adware and also with browser hijacker characteristics. It operates by running intrusive advertisement campaigns and making modifications to browser settings to promote fake search engines. In addition, most software of this type (adware and browser hijackers) collects browsing-related information.

Due to the dubious techniques used to proliferate LeadingLibrary, it is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

Adware enables the placement of pop-ups, surveys, banners, coupons and other intrusive ads, typically on any visited website. These ads diminish the browsing experience, as they overlay web page content and reduce browsing speed. Furthermore, once clicked, intrusive advertisements can redirect to various dubious/malicious sites and some can even stealthily download/install software (e.g. PUAs).

Browser hijackers assign the addresses of fake search engines as the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs. Therefore, with this software installed, each new browser tab/window opened and search query typed into the URL bar redirects to the promoted address.

Fake search engines are seldom able to provide search results, and so they tend to redirect to (or cause redirection chains ending with) Yahoo, Bing, Google and other legitimate ones.

Browser hijackers reset any changes users attempt to make to their browsers and restrict/deny access to the browser settings outright.

As mentioned, most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) have data tracking capabilities. They monitor browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and collect personal information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). This sensitive data is then monetized by sharing with and/or selling to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

In summary, the presence of unwanted software on devices can result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial loss and even identity theft. To ensure device integrity and user privacy, all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be removed without delay.

MegaSource, MicroLookup, SkillFormat and StandardBoost are some examples of other adware-type apps. They may seem normal and innocuous, and users are often enticed into download/installation with offers of various "useful" functionality, however, the advertised functions are rarely operational.

This applies to most PUAs. The sole purpose of this unwanted software is to generate revenue for the developers. PUAs run intrusive advertisement campaigns, cause redirects, hijack browsers and collect vulnerable information.

How did LeadingLibrary install on my computer?

PUAs are often downloaded/installed together with other products. This deceptive marketing technique of pre-packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions is called "bundling". By rushing through download/installation of software (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps and sections, using "Quick/Express" settings, etc.) many users risk unintentionally allowing bundled content into their devices.

Intrusive advertisements proliferate PUAs as well. When clicked, the ads can execute scripts to download/install these applications without users' permission. Some PUAs have "official" download web pages from which they can be downloaded.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

You are advised to research all software before download/installation. Use only official and verified download channels. Unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks (BitTorrent, Gnutella, eMule), and other third party downloaders commonly offer harmful and bundled content, and are therefore untrusted and should be avoided.

When downloading/installing, read the terms, study all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of additional apps, tools, features, and so on. Intrusive advertisements typically seem legitimate, however, they can redirect to dubious and malicious sites (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and many others). If you encounter ads or redirects of this kind, inspect the system and remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately.

If your computer is already infected with LeadingLibrary, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once LeadingLibrary adware's installation is complete:

LeadingLibrary adware installation folder:

Instant automatic malware removal:

Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:

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. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by RCS LT, the parent company of PCRisk.com.

Quick menu:

• What is LeadingLibrary?
• STEP 1. Remove LeadingLibrary related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove LeadingLibrary ads from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove LeadingLibrary adware from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove LeadingLibrary ads from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove LeadingLibrary adware using Combo Cleaner:

LeadingLibrary adware removal:

Remove LeadingLibrary-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 adware-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 exact 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 exact 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 correctly, your Mac should be clean of infections. To ensure 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 the 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 its virus definition database and click the "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.

Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers

Remove malicious Safari extensions:

Open the 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 regular browser operation.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window) and select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

You are advised to research all software before download/installation or purchase. All downloads must be done from official and verified sources, since dubious channels such as unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders commonly offer deceptive or bundled content.
When downloading/installing, read the terms, explore all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of supplementary apps, tools, features, etc. Intrusive ads may seem normal and harmless, however, they can redirect to various dubious web pages (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and many others).
If you encounter ads or redirects of this kind, inspect the system and remove any suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately.