How to remove FindYourMaps browser hijacker

What is FindYourMaps?

FindYourMaps is a deceptive web browser toolbar which has the supposed function of driving directions and various maps findings. The functionality appears as legit and useful. However, the app is considered as a potentially unwanted application, browser hijacker. The three main reasons for which the app has been given this category – it infiltrates systems by stealth, it stealthy modifies the browsers’ settings and it tracks users’ web browsing activities.

FindYourMaps modifies web browsers’ settings to promote an address of a fake search engine – hp.myway.com. The changes can easily be observed as the said URL will be seen taking place of the default homepage, new tab page and search engine of the affected web browsers. The users are typically not able to restore to the previous browser’s settings option, since the FindYourMaps automatically reassigns any changes made. The constant redirection significantly diminishes the web browsing speed and operation.

Also, the browsing experience will get affected since then the users will have to surf the session the hy.myway.com as the main search engine. It is a fake search engine. So, it tends to redirect to search.yahoo.com (legit Yahoo web browser) to display search results. Despite the redirection being caused to the legit web searching tool, the search result pages are not considered as safe since they include various third party sponsored ads and links with them.

Furthermore, FindYourMaps monitors the web browsing session. It can track users’ browsing session and collect the data related to their web browsing activities. The list of the collected data includes IP addresses, Search queries, Viewed pages, URLs visited, ISP, Geo-locations, Type of OS and browser used and etc. These data could be shared and/or sold to potent crooks who misuse them to generate illicit revenue that cost on privacy and cause identity exposure risk. To prevent such things from happening in future, immediately remove FindYourMaps from the system.

How did FindYourMaps infiltrate my computer?

PUAs are often downloaded/ installed together with regular software. The deceptive bundling method allows packing of more than one app as a singular unit. In the case, when one of such apps is potentially unwanted application, the installation information is not properly disclosed. Usually, the PUAs are hidden as additional offers with the regular software download/ installation under the Custom/Advanced sections. Users when rush the download and skip most of the installation steps, they leave these setups unchecked and unchanged and lead to the inadvertent installation of unwanted apps. Intrusive ads can cause PUAs download/ installation as well. Once clicked on, they run certain scripts to cause stealthy download/ installation.

How to prevent PUAs intrusion?

Always use official websites and direct links for any software download. Avoid p2p networks, free file hosting sites and third party downloaders/ installers –they are often used to offer dubious and/or bundled content. During downloading/ installing, use Custom/Advanced option and manually opt out all additionally attached apps and decline all offers. Additionally, do not click on any intrusive ads appear on any questionable pages. Usually, such ads open the pages of same kind or are designed to run certain scripts to cause stealthy download/ installation.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows Click Here For Mac

Important Note: This malware asks you to enable the web browser notifications. So, before you go the manual removal process, execute these steps.

Google Chrome (PC)

• Go to right upper corner of the screen and click on three dots to open the Menu button
• Select “Settings”. Scroll the mouse downward to choose “Advanced” option
• Go to “Privacy and Security” section by scrolling downward and then select “Content settings” and then “Notification” option
• Find each suspicious URLs and click on three dots on the right side and choose “Block” or “Remove” option

Google Chrome (Android)

• Go to right upper corner of the screen and click on three dots to open the menu button and then click on “Settings”
• Scroll down further to click on “site settings” and then press on “notifications” option
• In the newly opened window, choose each suspicious URLs one by one
• In the permission section, select “notification” and “Off” the toggle button

Mozilla Firefox

• On the right corner of the screen, you will notice three dots which is the “Menu” button
• Select “Options” and choose “Privacy and Security” in the toolbar present in the left side of the screen
• Slowly scroll down and go to “Permission” section then choose “Settings” option next to “Notifications”
• In the newly opened window, select all the suspicious URLs. Click on the drop-down menu and select “Block”

Internet Explorer

• In the Internet Explorer window, select the Gear button present on the right corner
• Choose “Internet Options”
• Select “Privacy” tab and then “Settings” under the “Pop-up Blocker” section
• Select all the suspicious URLs one by one and click on the “Remove” option

Microsoft Edge

• Open the Microsoft Edge and click on the three dots on the right corner of the screen to open the menu
• Scroll down and select “Settings”
• Scroll down further to choose “view advanced settings”
• In the “Website Permission” option, click on “Manage” option
• Click on switch under every suspicious URL

Safari (Mac):

• On the upper right side corner, click on “Safari” and then select “Preferences”
• Go to “website” tab and then choose “Notification” section on the left pane
• Search for the suspicious URLs and choose “Deny” option for each one of them

Manual Steps to Remove FindYourMaps:

Remove the related items of FindYourMaps using Control-Panel

Windows 7 Users

Click “Start” (the windows logo at the bottom left corner of the desktop screen), select “Control Panel”. Locate the “Programs” and then followed by clicking on “Uninstall Program”

Windows XP Users

Click “Start” and then choose “Settings” and then click “Control Panel”. Search and click on “Add or Remove Program’ option

Windows 10 and 8 Users:

Go to the lower left corner of the screen and right-click. In the “Quick Access” menu, choose “Control Panel”. In the newly opened window, choose “Program and Features”

Mac OSX Users

Click on “Finder” option. Choose “Application” in the newly opened screen. In the “Application” folder, drag the app to “Trash”. Right click on the Trash icon and then click on “Empty Trash”.

In the uninstall programs window, search for the PUAs. Choose all the unwanted and suspicious entries and click on “Uninstall” or “Remove”.

After you uninstall all the potentially unwanted program causing FindYourMaps issues, scan your computer with an anti-malware tool for any remaining PUPs and PUAs or possible malware infection. To scan the PC, use the recommended the anti-malware tool.

How to Remove Adware (FindYourMaps) from Internet Browsers

Delete malicious add-ons and extensions from IE

Click on the gear icon at the top right corner of Internet Explorer. Select “Manage Add-ons”. Search for any recently installed plug-ins or add-ons and click on “Remove”.

Additional Option

If you still face issues related to FindYourMaps removal, you can reset the Internet Explorer to its default setting.

Windows XP users: Press on “Start” and click “Run”. In the newly opened window, type “inetcpl.cpl” and click on the “Advanced” tab and then press on “Reset”.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 Users: Press the Windows logo, type inetcpl.cpl in the start search box and press enter. In the newly opened window, click on the “Advanced Tab” followed by “Reset” button.

For Windows 8 Users: Open IE and click on the “gear” icon. Choose “Internet Options”

Select the “Advanced” tab in the newly opened window

Press on “Reset” option

You have to press on the “Reset” button again to confirm that you really want to reset the IE

Remove Doubtful and Harmful Extension from Google Chrome

Go to menu of Google Chrome by pressing on three vertical dots and select on “More tools” and then “Extensions”. You can search for all the recently installed add-ons and remove all of them.

Optional Method

If the problems related to FindYourMaps still persists or you face any issue in removing, then it is advised that your reset the Google Chrome browse settings. Go to three dotted points at the top right corner and choose “Settings”. Scroll down bottom and click on “Advanced”.

At the bottom, notice the “Reset” option and click on it.

In the next opened window, confirm that you want to reset the Google Chrome settings by click on the “Reset” button.

Remove FindYourMaps plugins (including all other doubtful plug-ins) from Firefox Mozilla

Open the Firefox menu and select “Add-ons”. Click “Extensions”. Select all the recently installed browser plug-ins.

Optional Method

If you face problems in FindYourMaps removal then you have the option to rese the settings of Mozilla Firefox.

Open the browser (Mozilla Firefox) and click on the “menu” and then click on “Help”.

Choose “Troubleshooting Information”

In the newly opened pop-up window, click “Refresh Firefox” button

The next step is to confirm that really want to reset the Mozilla Firefox settings to its default by clicking on “Refresh Firefox” button.

Remove Malicious Extension from Safari

Open the Safari and go to its “Menu” and select “Preferences”.

Click on the “Extension” and select all the recently installed “Extensions” and then click on “Uninstall”.

Optional Method

Open the “Safari” and go menu. In the drop-down menu, choose “Clear History and Website Data”.

In the newly opened window, select “All History” and then press on “Clear History” option.

Delete FindYourMaps (malicious add-ons) from Microsoft Edge

Open Microsoft Edge and go to three horizontal dot icons at the top right corner of the browser. Select all the recently installed extensions and right click on the mouse to “uninstall”

Optional Method

Open the browser (Microsoft Edge) and select “Settings”

Next steps is to click on “Choose what to clear” button

Click on “show more” and then select everything and then press on “Clear” button.

Conclusion

In most cases, the PUPs and adware gets inside the marked PC through unsafe freeware downloads. It is advised that you should only choose developers website only while downloading any kind of free applications. Choose custom or advanced installation process so that you can trace the additional PUPs listed for installation along with the main program.