What is a browser hijacker
Mapsassist.com is classified as a browser hijacker, and it likely entered with a application package. The threat was probably added to a free application as an extra offer, and because you did not uncheck it, it installed. These types of infections are why it is important that you pay attention to what kind of software you install, and how you do it. Redirect viruses are not exactly harmful threats but their behavior does raise a few questions. For one, they change browser’s settings so that the websites they are promoting are set as your homepages and new tabs. You will also have a different search engine and it might insert sponsored links into results. Hijackers will reroute you to sponsored websites so as to boost traffic for them, which permits their owners to make money from ads. Some of those reroutes might lead to unsafe sites, so you may accidentally get a malicious program. And malicious software would cause much more damage. Redirect viruses tend to pretend they have useful features but you could find reliable extensions doing the same thing, which won’t cause weird redirects. You might encounter more content you would be interested in, and it is because the browser redirect is collecting data about you and following your searches. It wouldn’t be unusual if that info was shared with third-parties too. If you wish to prevent undesirable consequences, you should urgently terminate Mapsassist.com.
Download Removal Toolto remove Mapsassist.com
What does it do
You likely ran into the redirect virus unintentionally, when you were installing free software. Since they’re very annoying infections, we very much doubt you got it knowing what it is. The reason this method is so broadly used is because users are careless when they install applications, which means they miss all hints that something attached. The items are hidden and if you rush, you have no chance of seeing them, and you not seeing them means they will be permitted to install. By opting Default settings, you could be permitting all types of unnecessary items to install, so it would be best if you didn’t use them. You must deselect the items, and they’ll only be apparent in Advanced or Custom settings. Ensure you deselect all the items. You should only continue with the software installation after you deselect everything. Even though they are low-level infections, they take some time to deal with and can provide problems when attempting to get rid of it, so it is best if you stop their infection initially. In addition, be more careful about where you get your applications from as suspicious sources can lead to malware infections.
If a redirect virus is installed, it’s doubtful you will not see the clues. Your homepage, new tabs and search engine will be altered without your explicit authorization, and it is not likely that you would miss that. Well-known browsers such as Internet Explorer, Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox will likely be altered. The website will greet you every time your browser is launched, and this will go on until you uninstall Mapsassist.com from your operating system. Changing the settings back would a waste of time as the hijacker will reverse them. Browser hijackers could also set you a different search engine, so it would not be shocking if when you search for something via browser address bar, a strange website will greet you. It will likely be implanting weird web links into the results so that you’d end up on sponsored websites. These types of threats have an intention of boosting traffic for certain pages so that more money from ads is made. After all, increased traffic means who are prone to pressing on advertisements, meaning more income. You’ll know when you enter such sites promptly because they evidently will be irrelevant to what you were initially looking for. Some may seem valid, if you were to search for ‘anti-malware’, you could encounter results for pages promoting doubtful products but they might appear to be legitimate in the beginning. The reason you need to be cautious is because some websites might be damaging, which may result in a serious threat. You ought to also know that hijackers snoop on you so as to acquire information about what you click on, what pages you visit, your search queries and so on. Third-parties could also access the info, and it may be used to make advertisements. The information is also likely used by the browser hijacker to create content that would interest you. While it isn’t exactly the most dangerous infection, we still strongly suggest you uninstall Mapsassist.com. And after the process is finished, there should not be issues with altering browser’s settings.
Ways to delete Mapsassist.com
If you wish for your Internet surfing to go back to usual, you will have to erase Mapsassist.com, and the sooner you do it, the better. By hand and automatically are the two possible options for eliminating of the hijacker. If you have removed software before, you can go with the former, as you’ll have to find the infection yourself. If you’re not sure what to do, you can use the guidelines supplied below this report. The guidelines are provided in a clear and precise manner so you should be able to follow them accordingly. If the instructions are unclear, or if the process itself is giving you issues, try going with the other option. Acquiring anti-spyware software to take care of the infection might best in that case. This type of software is designed with the aim of wiping out infections like this, so you shouldn’t encounter any issues. To check if the infection is gone, try changing your browser’s settings, if they aren’t reversed, you were successful. The threat is still present on your device if your browser keeps loading the reroute virus’s page every time you launch it. If you actually pay attention when installing software, you ought to be able to avoid these types of infections in the future. In order to have an uncluttered computer, at least decent habits are necessary.Download Removal Toolto remove Mapsassist.com
Learn how to remove Mapsassist.com from your computer
- Step 1. How to delete Mapsassist.com from Windows?
- Step 2. How to remove Mapsassist.com from web browsers?
- Step 3. How to reset your web browsers?
Step 1. How to delete Mapsassist.com from Windows?
a) Remove Mapsassist.com related application from Windows XP
- Click on Start
- Select Control Panel
- Choose Add or remove programs
- Click on Mapsassist.com related software
- Click Remove
b) Uninstall Mapsassist.com related program from Windows 7 and Vista
- Open Start menu
- Click on Control Panel
- Go to Uninstall a program
- Select Mapsassist.com related application
- Click Uninstall
c) Delete Mapsassist.com related application from Windows 8
- Press Win+C to open Charm bar
- Select Settings and open Control Panel
- Choose Uninstall a program
- Select Mapsassist.com related program
- Click Uninstall
d) Remove Mapsassist.com from Mac OS X system
- Select Applications from the Go menu.
- In Application, you need to find all suspicious programs, including Mapsassist.com. Right-click on them and select Move to Trash. You can also drag them to the Trash icon on your Dock.
Step 2. How to remove Mapsassist.com from web browsers?
a) Erase Mapsassist.com from Internet Explorer
- Open your browser and press Alt+X
- Click on Manage add-ons
- Select Toolbars and Extensions
- Delete unwanted extensions
- Go to Search Providers
- Erase Mapsassist.com and choose a new engine
- Press Alt+x once again and click on Internet Options
- Change your home page on the General tab
- Click OK to save made changes
b) Eliminate Mapsassist.com from Mozilla Firefox
- Open Mozilla and click on the menu
- Select Add-ons and move to Extensions
- Choose and remove unwanted extensions
- Click on the menu again and select Options
- On the General tab replace your home page
- Go to Search tab and eliminate Mapsassist.com
- Select your new default search provider
c) Delete Mapsassist.com from Google Chrome
- Launch Google Chrome and open the menu
- Choose More Tools and go to Extensions
- Terminate unwanted browser extensions
- Move to Settings (under Extensions)
- Click Set page in the On startup section
- Replace your home page
- Go to Search section and click Manage search engines
- Terminate Mapsassist.com and choose a new provider
d) Remove Mapsassist.com from Edge
- Launch Microsoft Edge and select More (the three dots at the top right corner of the screen).
- Settings → Choose what to clear (located under the Clear browsing data option)
- Select everything you want to get rid of and press Clear.
- Right-click on the Start button and select Task Manager.
- Find Microsoft Edge in the Processes tab.
- Right-click on it and select Go to details.
- Look for all Microsoft Edge related entries, right-click on them and select End Task.
Step 3. How to reset your web browsers?
a) Reset Internet Explorer
- Open your browser and click on the Gear icon
- Select Internet Options
- Move to Advanced tab and click Reset
- Enable Delete personal settings
- Click Reset
- Restart Internet Explorer
b) Reset Mozilla Firefox
- Launch Mozilla and open the menu
- Click on Help (the question mark)
- Choose Troubleshooting Information
- Click on the Refresh Firefox button
- Select Refresh Firefox
c) Reset Google Chrome
- Open Chrome and click on the menu
- Choose Settings and click Show advanced settings
- Click on Reset settings
- Select Reset
d) Reset Safari
- Launch Safari browser
- Click on Safari settings (top-right corner)
- Select Reset Safari...
- A dialog with pre-selected items will pop-up
- Make sure that all items you need to delete are selected
- Click on Reset
- Safari will restart automatically
* SpyHunter scanner, published on this site, is intended to be used only as a detection tool. More info on SpyHunter. To use the removal functionality, you will need to purchase the full version of SpyHunter. If you wish to uninstall SpyHunter, click here.
