How to remove LeadShared (Mac)

What is LeadShared

LeadShared is identified as adware that primarily targets Mac users, designed to generate intrusive advertisements during browsing sessions. This malicious software can deliver pop-ups, banners, and coupons, which disrupt the user experience while potentially leading users to unsafe websites. Many security vendors have flagged LeadShared as a threat, citing its ability to compromise user privacy by collecting browsing history and personal data. Users may unknowingly install this adware through bundled software or deceptive pop-up ads, resulting in unintended consequences such as identity theft or financial loss. System performance can also be affected, as LeadShared consumes valuable resources while running background processes. Immediate removal is recommended to mitigate its risks and protect user privacy and system integrity.

How LeadShared infects Mac computers

LeadShared primarily infects Mac systems through a technique known as software bundling, where it is packaged alongside legitimate applications during their installation. Users often inadvertently install LeadShared by opting for quick installations without scrutinizing the additional offers presented in the “Advanced” or “Custom” settings. This adware can also infiltrate systems via deceptive pop-up ads, misleading software updates, or through downloads from untrustworthy websites and peer-to-peer networks. Once installed, LeadShared generates intrusive advertisements that disrupt the user experience and can lead to further security issues, such as exposure to phishing scams or malware. Additionally, it may collect sensitive user data, further compromising privacy. To mitigate the risk of LeadShared infections, users should always download software from reputable sources and carefully review installation prompts.

1. Download LeadShared Removal Tool
2. Remove LeadShared from Login Items
3. Remove/Uninstall LeadShared from Applications
4. Remove LeadShared from browsers
5. Reset browser settings
6. Remove LeadShared files and folders
7. Block LeadShared ads and pop-ups
8. How to protect from threats, like LeadShared

Remove LeadShared manually for free

Note: LeadShared sets up to start on macOS startup. Therefore, before starting the removal, perform these steps:

1. Open System Preferences, choose Users & Groups.
2. Choose your account (set up as Current User).
3. Click Login Items tab.
4. Find “LeadShared” entry. Select it, and click the “-“ (minus) button to remove it.

Note 2: LeadShared won’t quit just by closing it, therefor use Force Quit to end the process.

1. Press 3 buttons at the same time: Option, Command, and Esc (Escape). This is similar to Control-Alt-Delete on a Windows PC.
2. Choose LeadShared in the list.
3. Click Force Quit button.

Here is a manual step-by-step tutorial for full LeadShared removal from your computer. This works 99% and was checked with the latest versions of LeadShared installer on operating systems with the latest updates and browser versions.

Remove LeadShared from Applications

Remove LeadShared from Mac:

1. In the Finder sidebar, click Applications.
2. LeadShared might have an Uninstaller. If you see Uninstall LeadShared or LeadShared Uninstaller, double-click it and follow the onscreen instructions.
3. Otherwise, drag LeadShared from the Applications folder to the Trash (located at the end of the Dock).
4. Then choose Finder > Empty Trash.

Cannot uninstall LeadShared

If you can’t uninstall LeadShared using instructions above, or it keeps coming back, you can use free AppCleaner for Mac to remove all residual data and libraries of LeadShared. Follow instructions below:

1. Download free AppCleaner.
2. Drag LeadShared from Applications folder to AppCleaner window.
3. Choose files and folders you want to remove along with LeadShared.
4. Click Delete button.

Remove LeadShared add-on from your browsers

Removing LeadShared from Applications often does not bring the desired effect. It is a browser extension, and it may still be active in Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. Here are instructions on how to remove the LeadShared extension from your browsers manually.

Safari:

1. Start Safari on your Mac, click Safari to open drop-down menu and choose Preferences
2. Click Extensions tab.
3. Find LeadShared extension.
4. Click Uninstall button to remove it.

Google Chrome:

1. Start Google Chrome browser
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) chrome://extensions.
3. Find LeadShared extension.
4. Click the trash can icon to remove it.

Mozilla Firefox:

1. Start Mozilla Firefox browser.
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) about:addons.
3. Choose LeadShared extension.
4. Click Disable or Remove button.

Reset browser settings

To finish LeadShared removal, reset your browser settings to make sure, there are no leftover items in browser folders.

Reset Safari:

1. Start Safari on your Mac, click Safari to open drop-down menu and choose Preferences
2. Go to the Privacy section of Safari’s preferences.
3. Click Remove All Website Data button.
4. In the opened window, click Remove Now button to remove data stored by websites in Safari.
5. Go to the Advanced section of Safari’s preferences.
6. Click the Show Develop menu in menu bar option.
7. In the menu, click Develop and select Empty Caches from this menu.
8. Again, go to Safari menu and choose Clear History….
9. Choose to clear all history and click Clear History button.

Reset Google Chrome:

1. Start Google Chrome browser
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) chrome://settings.
3. Scroll down and find Show advanced settings link.
4. Click on it and scroll down to the bottom again.
5. Click Reset settings button and click Reset to confirm.

Reset Mozilla Firefox:

1. Start Mozilla Firefox browser.
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) about:support.
3. Click Refresh Firefox… button.
4. Click Refresh Firefox to confirm.

Remove following files and folders of LeadShared


~/Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/Services/com.LeadShared.service.app
~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.LeadShared.service.plist
/Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/System/com.LeadShared.system
/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.LeadShared.system.plist


Download AdGuard for Mac to block malicious pop-ups, that promote LeadShared

AdGuard is the best ad-blocker, internet filtering, and internet security application for macOS. It can cut out unwanted banners from site pages, block pop-ups, stop redirects, and prevent users from visiting potentially dangerous resources. Use it to stop ads promoting LeadShared in browsers.

Download AdGuard for Mac

How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like LeadShared

Mac OSX is known to be one of the safest operating systems, and for a long time, there was no need for antivirus products for Mac. But with the growing popularity of Mac computers and notebooks and evolving technology, viruses, trojans, adware, toolbars, hijackers, and other malware paved the way for Mac users. We recommend you to use one of the best anti-malware for Mac available — Malwarebytes for Mac.

Download Malwarebytes for Mac