Remove OnlineMapSearch Toolbar (Removal Guide) - Tutorial
Controversial characteristics of the OnlineMapSearch Toolbar
OnlineMapSearch Toolbar is another shady navigation software offered by a technology company Mindspark Interactive Inc. The program may not be a virus itself, but due to its uncalled-for activity on the computer, it can easily be regarded as such.
While experts deem the software as a potentially unwanted program [1], users don’t hesitate to call it a malware and are actively looking for OnlineMapSearch Toolbar removal suggestions. We’ve made a little research to find out what is the reason users question the program’s trustworthiness.
First of all, the program appears on the PC without asking user’s permission to install. It travels bundled inside software packages and usually accompanies popular freeware and shareware applications, such as PDF converters, media streaming or editing software, etc.
After stealthy installation, the program will immediately infiltrate the web browser and pin its toolbar to the top of the browser window. This browser helper object will offer quick links to traffic maps, local events, local dining and a bunch of other features.
Besides, Online Map Search has the word “search” in its title not accidentally. The software indeed provides web search service and includes the quick search box on the toolbar as well. But that is not what concerns users the most.
In the picture above your can see OnlineMapSearch Toolbar download page.
Users can’t help but notice the unauthorized replacement of the default search engine and homepage. The toolbar automatically switches the default browser domain to hp.myway.com and configures the browser to open it in the new browser window and the new tab. It is a behavior similar to what browser hijackers manifest on infected computers.
The search service this site provides is highly questionable as it is more oriented in prioritizing sponsored content [2] rather than the content that is actually relevant. Maybe it is a way the company monetizes its products, but you do not have to take part in this business if you don’t want to.
You can remove OnlineMapSearch Toolbar from your PC using Reimage Reimage Cleaner or similar antivirus software, as long as the tool you are using is legitimate and updated to the latest version.
Shady ways of software distribution
Official OnlineMapSearch Toolbar download page can be easily found, but direct downloads is not the main vector of the software distribution. This program more often reaches computers after users install them along with freeware or shareware programs.
The same technique can be used to sneak in other software on the computers, so you should take action to prevent further infections in the future. You can do that by:
- Choosing the sources of your downloads more carefully
- Scanning the downloaded software package with sophisticated antivirus scanner
- Reading through the downloaded program’s EULA
- Installing software via Advanced or Custom settings and opting out the installation of unfamiliar programs, for instance, OnlineMapSearch Toolbar.
Recently, the developer of this program contacted us asking us to remove this post from 2-spyware.com website. We believe that we shouldn't do that as long as programs that we offer for the removal of OnlineMapSearch Toolbar can detect it and help users to remove it from the system. As it is mentioned under each of download buttons, we ARE affiliated with these anti-malware programs, and while some of them are free, others can remove a virus only after purchasing them. These mentions fully fulfill each of the requirements of FTC.
Nevertheless, we have recently decided to make a revision of this and other posts that are related to this developer. We claim that all of them are described properly.
Steps of OnlineMapSearch Toolbar removal
In the tutorial below this article, we include manual OnlineMapSearch Toolbar removal instructions in case you wish to eliminate the virus from your PC manually. Keep in mind that the extension and all the related components also have to go. Delete them from the browser extension list manually and then reset the browser.
Manual PUP elimination is not too difficult, but you will remove OnlineMapSearch Toolbar virus faster if you incorporate automatic tools in the process. The professional software will scan your PC in minutes, and it won’t be long until you will be able to use your PC normally again.
You may remove virus damage with a help of Reimage Reimage Cleaner . SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
To remove OnlineMapSearch Toolbar, follow these steps:
Delete OnlineMapSearch Toolbar from Windows systems
Remove OnlineMapSearch Toolbar virus from your PC manually following the instructions below.
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Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
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If you are Windows 10 / Windows 8 user, then right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once Quick Access Menu shows up, select Control Panel and Uninstall a Program.
- Uninstall OnlineMapSearch Toolbar and related programs
Here, look for OnlineMapSearch Toolbar or any other recently installed suspicious programs. -
Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes.
- Remove OnlineMapSearch Toolbar from Windows shortcuts
Right click on the shortcut of Mozilla Firefox and select Properties. -
Go to Shortcut tab and look at the Target field. Delete malicious URL that is related to your virus.
Repeat steps that are given above with all browsers' shortcuts, including Internet Explorer and Google Chrome. Make sure you check all locations of these shortcuts, including Desktop, Start Menu and taskbar.
Uninstall OnlineMapSearch Toolbar from Mac OS X system
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If you are using OS X, click Go button at the top left of the screen and select Applications.
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Wait until you see Applications folder and look for OnlineMapSearch Toolbar or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.
Erase OnlineMapSearch Toolbar from Internet Explorer (IE)
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Remove dangerous add-ons
Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top right corner of the browser and choose Manage Add-ons. -
You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for OnlineMapSearch Toolbar and other suspicious plugins. Disable these entries by clicking Disable:
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Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Click on the gear icon (menu) on the top right corner of the browser and select Internet Options. Stay in General tab. -
Here, remove malicious URL and enter preferable domain name. Click Apply to save changes.
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Reset Internet Explorer
Click on the gear icon (menu) again and select Internet options. Go to Advanced tab. - Here, select Reset.
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When in the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset again to complete OnlineMapSearch Toolbar removal.
Eliminate OnlineMapSearch Toolbar from Microsoft Edge
Don't forget to reset your browser after you complete the PUP's elimination from your computer. Reset MS Edge following the steps described below:
Reset Microsoft Edge settings (Method 1):
- Launch Microsoft Edge app and click More (three dots at the top right corner of the screen).
- Click Settings to open more options.
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Once Settings window shows up, click Choose what to clear button under Clear browsing data option.
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Here, select all what you want to remove and click Clear.
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Now you should right-click on the Start button (Windows logo). Here, select Task Manager.
- When in Processes tab, search for Microsoft Edge.
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Right-click on it and choose Go to details option. If can’t see Go to details option, click More details and repeat previous steps.
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When Details tab shows up, find every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right click on each of them and select End Task to end these entries.
Resetting Microsoft Edge browser (Method 2):
If Method 1 failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method.
- Note: you need to backup your data before using this method.
- Find this folder on your computer:
C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
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Select every entry which is saved on it and right click with your mouse. Then Delete option.
- Click the Start button (Windows logo) and type in window power in Search my stuff line.
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Right-click the Windows PowerShell entry and choose Run as administrator.
- Once Administrator: Windows PowerShell window shows up, paste this command line after PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> and press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml -Verbose}
Once these steps are finished, OnlineMapSearch Toolbar should be removed from your Microsoft Edge browser.
Get rid of OnlineMapSearch Toolbar from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
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Remove dangerous extensions
Open Mozilla Firefox, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Add-ons → Extensions. -
Here, select OnlineMapSearch Toolbar and other questionable plugins. Click Remove to delete these entries.
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Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Click on the menu (top right corner), choose Options → General. - Here, delete malicious URL and enter preferable website or click Restore to default.
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Click OK to save these changes.
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Reset Mozilla Firefox
Click on the Firefox menu on the top left and click on the question mark. Here, choose Troubleshooting Information. -
Now you will see Reset Firefox to its default state message with Reset Firefox button. Click this button for several times and complete OnlineMapSearch Toolbar removal.
Remove OnlineMapSearch Toolbar from Google Chrome
Resetting the web browser will help your eliminate the unwanted toolbar. Perform the reset now using this tutorial:
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Delete malicious plugins
Open Google Chrome, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Tools → Extensions. -
Here, select OnlineMapSearch Toolbar and other malicious plugins and select trash icon to delete these entries.
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Change your homepage and default search engine if it was altered by your virus
Click on menu icon and choose Settings. -
Here, look for the Open a specific page or set of pages under On startup option and click on Set pages.
- Now you should see another window. Here, delete malicious search sites and enter the one that you want to use as your homepage.
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Click on menu icon again and choose Settings → Manage Search engines under the Search section.
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When in Search Engines..., remove malicious search sites. You should leave only Google or your preferred domain name.
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Reset Google Chrome
Click on menu icon on the top right of your Google Chrome and select Settings. -
Scroll down to the end of the page and click on Reset browser settings.
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Click Reset to confirm this action and complete OnlineMapSearch Toolbar removal.
Delete OnlineMapSearch Toolbar from Safari
- Remove dangerous extensions
Open Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu at the top left of the screen. Once you do this, select Preferences. -
Here, select Extensions and look for OnlineMapSearch Toolbar or other suspicious entries. Click on the Uninstall button to get rid each of them.
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Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Open your Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu section. Here, select Preferences as it was displayed previously and select General. -
Here, look at the Homepage field. If it was altered by OnlineMapSearch Toolbar, remove unwanted link and enter the one that you want to use for your searches. Remember to include the "http://" before typing in the address of the page.
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Reset Safari
Open Safari browser and click on Safari in menu section at the top left of the screen. Here, select Reset Safari.... -
Now you will see a detailed dialog window filled with reset options. All of those options are usually checked, but you can specify which of them you want to reset. Click the Reset button to complete OnlineMapSearch Toolbar removal process.
About the author
References
- ^ What is a PUA / PUP software?. Bitdefender. Cybersecurity Solutions for Business and Personal Use.
- ^ Joe Lazauskas. Ask a content strategist: What’s the difference between sponsored content and native advertising?. Contently. Content Marketing News & Analysis.
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