Maps Assist: what it is and how to remove it
Maps Assist is a potentially unwanted application that users can encounter when downloading freeware from third-party websites, among others. While the installation can sometimes be intentional via Chrome Store, most find it on their Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, or another browser, seemingly out of nowhere due to deceptive distribution techniques.
Facts checked October 6, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
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Maps Assist: summary
| Distribution | The extension can be downloaded from official sources, although most users install it through software bundle packages downloaded from third-party sites |
|---|---|
| Damage | Installation of other unwanted software/malware, information disclosure to unknown parties, monetary loss |
| Name | Maps Assist |
| Type | Browser hijacker, potentially unwanted program |
| Developer | Innover Group |
| Symptoms | Maps Assist extension installed on the web browser (in some cases, the hijack might be related to the installed application instead) Homepage and new tab URL set to mapsassist.com A customized search engine redirects all search results to Yahoo Search results filled with sponsored links |
| Removal | Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 6 more facts
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
| Search page | mapsassist.com |
| Browsers | Chrome, Edge and Firefox |
| First seen | 7 September 2020 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
Is Maps Assist dangerous? What it collects
From our report of Sep 2020 · not reviewed since
Maps Assist is a browser hijacker that redirects all search results to Yahoo
Maps Assist is a potentially unwanted application that users can encounter when downloading freeware from third-party websites, among others.
While the installation can sometimes be intentional via Chrome Store, most find it on their Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, or another browser, seemingly out of nowhere due to deceptive distribution techniques.
Once installed, Maps Assist will append an extension to the used browser and change other preferences, such as the new tab/homepage, which would be set to mapsassist.com. Additionally, a fake search engine is also presented to users - each time they search for something online, they will be redirected to Yahoo.
Unlike the original Yahoo engine, however, Maps Assist hijack would show alternative search results, most of which are filled with sponsored links that the top. In the background, the PUA collects a variety of information about users - the practice is very common and used for targeted advertising, as well as sharing of such details with affiliates, service providers, as well as third parties.
Browser hijackers are extremely common and can be downloaded from many different places. While not considered as major security threats, these unwanted programs should not be ignored, especially if they showed up on the system without permission.
Some browser hijackers, such as Mazy Search, Flare Search, or Search Marquis, are known to set "Managed by your organization" on the web browser, which may prevent an easy termination of these apps.
Thus, if you fail to remove Maps Assist in a regular way through the extensions section, there might be that there is another PUP installed on your system, or your browser settings are not allowing you to do that.
Maps Assist is an extension that attempts to flaunt its functionality, in this case - directions and maps assistance. The maps function identically to Google Maps, however, so there is nothing unique about this functionality. Even if you choose to use this feature, keep in mind that it comes with a (hidden) cost that might not be so apparent straight away.
As soon as the hijacker gains access to the web browser, it changes the homepage, the new tab, and the search engine to a customized one. This way, users who search via these tools will be rerouted to a well-known provider Yahoo. Unlike regular Yahoo results, however, users will be presented with several Maps Assist ads at the top - these links are used for monetization by the hijacker authors.
While showing ads is a common practice, you should keep in mind that the top results are paid for and are not organic. As a result, the web browsing experience can be completely altered, and relevant information hard to find. In some cases, users might not even notice the "Ads" notification, and they might believe that their searches are genuine.
If you still wonder whether you should perform Maps Assist removal, you should check the website's Privacy Policy section. It soon becomes evident that the developers gather a large portion of information about you, some of which might be shared with third parties for marketing purposes. Examples of such collected data include:
As evident, such extensive data harvesting might cause serious privacy issues in case these details end up in cybercriminals' hands. Therefore, experts advise not risking and preventing third-parties from tracking you. As evident, the solution is to uninstall Maps Assist ASAP.
To do that, you should get rid of the Maps Assist extension - simply access browser settings. In some cases, the hijack could be related to another program installed on your system.
- IP address and Internet Service Provider (ISP)
- Geolocation
- Browser and installed extension information
- Links clicked
- Sites visited
- Wallpapers downloaded
- Uploaded files
- Flight routes, etc.
Check your browser and PC
- Address:
mapsassist.com
How to remove Maps Assist
How to remove Maps Assist and get your search engine back
Remove the extension first.
The search settings only stay fixed once nothing on the PC can change them again.
Step 1: Remove extensions you did not add
In Chrome open
chrome://extensions, in Edgeedge://extensions, and in Firefox the menu > Extensions and themes.Remove every extension you do not remember adding, especially search, new tab, coupon, PDF, weather or video downloader add-ons. Check every browser and every profile, because each keeps its own list.
If an extension has no Remove button or comes back, a browser policy holds it (see "Managed by your organization" in the procedure below). The pages are the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Chrome on Windows 11: More > Extensions > Manage extensions. Full procedure with screenshots: Remove a browser extension
Step 2: Put the search engine back and delete mapsassist.com
In Chrome open Settings > Search engine > Manage search engines and site search, make an engine you trust the default, and delete
mapsassist.comfrom the list.In Edge type
search engineinto the search box at the top of Settings and open Manage search engines; in Firefox use Settings > Search. Then check the homepage and the new tab page in the same settings, because hijackers change all three.If mapsassist.com is back after a restart, an extension, a program or a policy still sets it, so finish the other steps and check again. The settings are the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Chrome on Windows 11: check Search engine and On startup. Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine
Step 3: Uninstall programs you did not mean to install
Maps Assist rarely comes alone: it is usually installed by, or together with, a free program. In Windows 11 open Settings > Apps > Installed apps, in Windows 10 Settings > Apps > Apps & features, and sort by install date.
Uninstall every entry from the day the trouble began that you did not install on purpose, for example a download manager, a converter or a browser you never chose.
Keep drivers and entries from Microsoft, Intel, AMD, NVIDIA or your PC's maker unless you are sure.
Full procedure with screenshots: Uninstall a program or app in Windows On uGetFix
Step 4: Reset the browser
A reset removes what the steps above could miss:
- changed start pages
- site permissions
- hidden settings
In Chrome open Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults; in Edge Settings > Reset settings; in Firefox Help > More troubleshooting information > Refresh Firefox.
Tip: Bookmarks and saved passwords stay, while extensions are turned off and the search engine and start page return to the defaults.
Reset every browser on the PC, including Edge, which Windows 11 and Windows 10 always have.
Chrome on Windows 11: Settings > Reset settings. Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine
Step 5: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan
A scan finds the parts of Maps Assist that the manual steps cannot see. In Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, start a Full scan and quarantine what it reports.
Follow it with Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) > Scan now, which restarts the PC and checks the disk while Windows and the malware are not running.
It takes about 15 minutes and works the same in Windows 11 and Windows 10. If either scan finds something, run the full scan again after removal until it comes back clean.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
Uninstall from Windows
Uninstall from Windows 10/8:
- Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
Remove the unwanted program:
- In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
- If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.
Remove from Google Chrome
Some hijackers may leave unwanted components even after their uninstallation. In such a case, reset Google Chrome as explained below
Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
- Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
- In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.
Clear cache and web data from Chrome:
- Click on Menu and pick Settings.
- Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
- Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data.
Change your homepage:
- Click menu and choose Settings.
- Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
- Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.
Reset Google Chrome:
If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
- Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
- Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Confirm with Reset settings.
Remove from Microsoft Edge
Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:
- Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
- From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
- Click Remove.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.
Restore new tab and homepage settings:
- Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
- Then find On startup section.
- Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.
Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:
- Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
- Select Details tab.
- Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.
Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.
Clear cache and site data:
- Click on Menu and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy, search and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Under Time range, pick All time.
- Select Clear now.
Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- On the left side, pick Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- Confirm with Reset.
- This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.
Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Firefox should be reset if you are unable to get rid of some extensions:
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
- Select Add-ons.
- In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Settings.
- Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data...
- Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.
Reset Mozilla Firefox
If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
- Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.
- Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
- Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.
Delete from Safari
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
- Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.
Clear history and website data:
- Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
- Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari:
- Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
- Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.
Delete from macOS
To delete unwanted apps from a Mac, follow these steps:
Remove the unwanted application:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).
Delete leftover files and folders:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
- Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.
- Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.
Reset Internet Explorer
Remove dangerous add-ons:
- Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
- Pick Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.
Change your homepage if it was altered:
- Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
- Select Internet Options.
- In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
- Click Apply and then select OK.
Delete temporary files:
- Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
- Under Browsing history, click Delete...
- Select relevant fields and press Delete.
Reset Internet Explorer:
- Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
- Select Reset.
- In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.
Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are
There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity.
While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.
Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.
Data backups are important - recover your lost files
Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data.
Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.
While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.
From our report of Sep 2020 · not reviewed since
You can easily prevent unintentional installation of unwanted programs
Trojans are known to be installed when users believe that they are installing a legitimate program on their computer.
The best example is a pirated application installer that offers to bypass the program's licensing process, allowing it to be used for free. Similarly, browser hijackers end up on users' computers without permission, although the major difference is that they install PUPs themselves - although they are tricked into doing so in the first place.
Software bundling is one of the most common PUP distribution tactics used regularly by various freeware authors and software distribution sites. This tactic involves incorporating several applications into a single installer and then tricking users into installing them unintentionally. For that, several deceptive methods are used, including:
- Hiding optional programs under the Advanced/Custom installation settings;
- Providing misleading button placements during the installation;
- Including relevant information within the fine print, most of which is never read by users;
- Pre-ticking checkboxes so that users miss the agreement of the installation of optional apps.
From our report of Sep 2020 · not reviewed since
Maps Assist removal instructions
As previously mentioned, there should not be too much trouble when trying to remove Maps Assist.
This application typically comes as an extension and can be found either as an icon in the corner of the window or by accessing the settings of the web browser. However, there might be some difficulties when trying to uninstall the unwanted programs, as they might hijack the browser significantly (e.g., the "Managed by your organization" feature might prevent the elimination of the extension).
In such a case, Maps Assist removal can be performed with the help of browser reset - you can find the details below. Additionally, unwanted applications might also be installed on your system; you should check the installed program section via Control Panel (Windows) or Applications folder (Mac).
Furthermore, you should also perform a full system scan with powerful anti-malware - it should also allow you to get rid of the invisible threats that could be present on your machine.
Questions about Maps Assist
Why does my search engine keep changing to mapsassist.com?
Because something keeps setting it. An extension can change the search engine every time the browser starts, and an ad-supported program in Windows can do it for every browser and re-add the extension after you remove it. Some hijackers also add a policy that locks the setting.
Changing the search engine back only works once the source is gone. Remove extensions you do not recognise, uninstall programs installed around the time mapsassist.com first appeared, and then set the search engine again. If it still returns, check the browser for the Managed by your organization message and follow the policy steps in this guide.
Can mapsassist.com see my searches?
Yes. Every search typed into the address bar goes to mapsassist.com first, which is how it earns money. It can log the query, the time and an identifier for your browser, and some hijackers also collect the pages you visit through their extension.
The privacy policy of such sites usually allows sharing that data with partners. Once the hijacker is removed and your own search engine is set again, new searches no longer reach it. Searches already sent cannot be taken back, so avoid entering sensitive information until the clean-up is finished, and clear cookies afterwards.
What is mapsassist.com?
It is the search page used by the browser hijacker Maps Assist. It has no search index of its own: it forwards your queries to another search engine and adds ads and tracking along the way.
People rarely choose it on purpose; it becomes the default search engine, home page or new tab after an extension, program or policy changes the browser settings. The page itself is not malware, but it should not be in your browser if you did not set it. The steps above remove the source and restore your settings.
Is mapsassist.com dangerous?
It is not designed to infect the PC, but it is not neutral either. It logs searches, adds sponsored results that are hard to tell apart from real ones, and its ad partners are not checked as strictly as those of major search engines.
Some hijacker pages have shown ads for fake updates, tech support scams and unwanted software. The main harm is to privacy. Remove Maps Assist, and if you entered personal data on sites reached through its results, check those sites carefully.
Do I have to fix every browser?
Yes, every one where the search engine or start page changed. In the cases we checked, Maps Assist affected Chrome, Edge and Firefox.
Each browser stores its own search settings and extensions, so fixing one does not fix the others, and Windows-level changes such as shortcuts can affect each browser differently. Work through them one at a time:
- remove the extension
- check the policies
- restore the search engine
- start page
If you sync a browser, stay signed in so the fix spreads to your other computers.
Did mapsassist.com record my searches?
Almost certainly. Logging is the point of a hijacker search page: each query, with your IP address, browser details and the result you clicked, is valuable to advertisers.
The operators of mapsassist.com can store and share that data under their own privacy policy, which you never agreed to knowingly. There is no way to delete it from their side. What you can do is stop the flow:
- remove Maps Assist
- clear cookies and site data for mapsassist.com
- treat sensitive searches made in the meantime as known to a third party
Can I just block mapsassist.com?
You can, but it treats the symptom. Blocking the domain in a firewall or the hosts file makes searches fail instead of redirecting, while the extension or program that set it keeps running and collecting data.
Hijacker operators also switch to new domains in updates, so a block may stop working within weeks. Remove the source instead, then set your own search engine. If you want extra protection afterwards, turn on Potentially unwanted app blocking in Windows Security, which stops many hijacker installers before they run.
What do I lose if I reset Chrome or Edge?
Less than you might think. A reset turns off all extensions, which you can turn back on one by one, restores the default search engine, home page, new tab and pinned tabs, and clears cookies, so you are signed out of most sites.
Bookmarks, history, saved passwords and autofill data stay. Firefox's equivalent, Refresh Firefox, keeps the same essentials but removes add-ons completely. Before you reset, make sure you know your main passwords or have them saved, since you will need to sign in again.
Why can't I change my search engine back?
Because something keeps setting it. If an extension controls the search engine, Chrome and Edge show a note that an extension is controlling this setting, and your change is reverted. If a policy controls it, the field is greyed out and the browser shows Managed by your organization.
Remove the extension first, then the policies, and only then change the search engine; the change will stay. If it still reverts, look for a program in Installed apps or a scheduled task that reinstalls the extension.
Will Fortect remove Maps Assist?
Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.
For Maps Assist, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.
Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Organic search (read October 6, 2026)
- Comodo: What are Trojans on Computers? (read October 6, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 6, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 6, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: How Microsoft names malware (read October 6, 2026)