Quick Maps And Directions (Virus Removal Guide) - Free Instructions

Quick Maps And Directions Removal Guide

What is Quick Maps And Directions?

Quick Maps And Directions is the potentially unwanted web browser extension that redirects to search.yahoo.com every time you open the new tab

Quick Maps And DirectionsQuick Maps And Directions is the browser extension that promotes and installs other suspicious tools and programs.

Quick Maps And Directions is a browser hijacker that is usually installed via browser extension Quick Maps And Directions New Tab Search for Google Chrome. Developed by the notorious Polarity Technologies Ltd, this browser tool claims that it can help users to access world maps with detailed satellite images, driving directions, and provide improved search results. Once settled, Quick Maps And Directions changes homepage, new tab and the search engine to hxxp://search.quickmapsanddirections.com, and redirects all the search results to hxxp://search.yahoo.com – a trusted search provider. However, users will quickly notice that the search results are not entirely genuine but instead plagued with sponsored links.

Name Quick Maps And Directions
Type Browser hijacker
Category Potentially unwanted program[1]
Developers Polarity Technologies Ltd
Distribution Deceptive advertisements, software bundling
Main danger Exposes to suspicious content, tracks and collects information about the user
System affected Windows OS
Elimination Clean the system from any PUPs using FortectIntego

Yet another product from Polarity Technologies Ltd, Cyprus company that delivers tons of similar tools and programs like Quick Maps And Directions. Watch TV Now, Search Encrypt, Search.htv-now.co, Easy Sports Access all are developed and distributed by the same company so you may encounter promotional content that offers to download or use these hijackers.

Quick Maps And Directions virus changes the default search engine and redirects to other deceptive websites. Also, it installs the browser extension that launches Quick Maps And Directions New Tab Search whenever you open the new browser tab on your Google Chrome. It mostly affects this browser, but you may notice malicious activity on Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer too.

In most cases, Quick Maps And Directions comes to the system from third-party advertisements[2] that promote the tool or even included as the additional program to the freeware installation.

Other Quick Maps And Directions symptoms may also include:

  • changed appearance or setting of your web browser;
  • installation of extensions, add-ons or toolbars;
  • automatic startup of the browser and the Quick Maps And Directions extension.

Quick Maps And Directions hijacker is also known to track and collect information about the users. This feature is common for various potentially unwanted programs because advertisers who sponsor the distribution of the program focus on generating views from advertisement content based on users' preferences and habits.[3]

All the data tracking practices are documented in the Privacy Policy section of the official website. If you noticed that your homepage changed, you should go immediately read EULA and Privacy Policy of such a site, especially if you plan on keep using it. In any case, researchers recommend performing Quick Maps And Directions removal, as it does not benefit you in any way.

To remove Quick Maps And Directions, you can either rely on automated tools like anti-virus applications or get rid of the Quick Maps And Directions hijack manually. Both methods are effective, as long as performed correctly. Use instructions down below for a detailed description of each step.

Once you are done with PUPs elimination, you should scan your device with FortectIntego to recover from damage caused by the browser hijacker.

Quick Maps And Directions virusQuick Maps And Directions is the potentially unwanted program that gets delivered via third-party download managers during freeware installations.

Deceptive advertisements trick users into installing PUPs

Browser hijackers, adware or malicious extensions are advertised and promoted on deceptive websites that may trick victims into them. When the promotional content claims that the program possesses useful features, users may believe it is true and install the extensions purposely.

However, researchers[4] also warn about the deceptive PUP distribution method – software bundling. When you allow the download from the suspicious site such as P2P service, you risk installing cyber infections on your device.

Choosing Advanced or Custom options during those processes should help you avoid infiltration of PUPs because you can de-select the optional components that are suggested seemingly for free.

The easiest way to remove Quick Maps And Directions is by using security application

When performing Quick Maps And Directions removal, make sure to employ a reputable anti-malware program. This is the best solution to terminate the potentially unwanted programs due to the process being completely automated and really fast.

It is possible to remove Quick Maps And Directions manually, but it takes more time. You still may need to check the system with antivirus program to make sure that no elements of the hijacker or other malicious software are present on the device. Follow our guide below for more information.

You may remove virus damage with a help of FortectIntego. 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.

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Compatible with Microsoft Windows Compatible with macOS
What to do if failed?
If you failed to fix virus damage using Fortect Intego, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.
Fortect Intego has a free limited scanner. Fortect Intego offers more through scan when you purchase its full version. When free scanner detects issues, you can fix them using free manual repairs or you can decide to purchase the full version in order to fix them automatically.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Fortect, try running SpyHunter 5.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Intego, try running Combo Cleaner.

Getting rid of Quick Maps And Directions. Follow these steps

Uninstall from Windows

Quick Maps And Directions virus mostly affects Windows OS supporting devices. Follow the guide to clear the system:

Instructions for Windows 10/8  machines:

  1. Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program. Uninstall from Windows 1
  3. From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
  4. Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
  5. If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
  6. Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK. Uninstall from Windows 2

If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program. Uninstall from Windows 7/XP
  3. Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
  4. At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
  5. In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
  6. Click OK once the removal process is finished.

Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

  1. Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
  2. From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
  3. Click on Uninstall at the bottom. Remove extensions from Edge

Clear cookies and other browser data:

  1. Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. Select everything (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear. Clear Edge browsing data

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

  1. Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
  2. Then find On startup section.
  3. Click Disable if you found any suspicious domain.

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

  1. Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
  3. Select Details tab.
  4. 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. Reset MS Edge

If this solution failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method. Note that you need to backup your data before proceeding.

  1. Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
  2. Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
  3. Right-click on them and pick Delete Advanced MS Edge reset 1
  4. Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
  5. When the new window opens, copy and paste the following command, and then press Enter:

    Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose Advanced MS Edge reset 2

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

  1. Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
  2. Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove. Remove extensions from Chromium Edge

Clear cache and site data:

  1. Click on Menu and go to Settings.
  2. Select Privacy, search and services.
  3. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  4. Under Time range, pick All time.
  5. Select Clear now. Clear browser data from Chroum Edge

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. On the left side, pick Reset settings.
  3. Select Restore settings to their default values.
  4. Confirm with Reset. Reset Chromium Edge

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Your browser may get additional Quick Maps And Directions content, so check it to make sure:

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
  2. Select Add-ons.
  3. In here, select unwanted plugin and click Remove. Remove extensions from Firefox

Reset the homepage:

  1. Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
  2. Choose Options.
  3. Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.

Clear cookies and site data:

  1. Click Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security section.
  3. Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
  4. Click on Clear Data…
  5. Select Cookies and Site Data, as well as Cached Web Content and press Clear. Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
  2. Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information. Reset Firefox 1
  3. Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox…
  4. Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox. Reset Firefox 2

Remove from Google Chrome

Chrome settings gets changed by Quick Maps And Directions, so set the browser to default and reverse all the alterations:

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

  1. Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
  2. In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all the suspicious plugins that might be related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove. Remove extensions from Chrome

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

  1. Click on Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
  3. Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
  4. Click Clear data. Clear cache and web data from Chrome

Change your homepage:

  1. Click menu and choose Settings.
  2. Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
  3. 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:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
  4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm with Reset settings. Reset Chrome 2

After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware. This will help you to get rid of Quick Maps And Directions registry traces and will also identify related parasites or possible malware infections on your computer. For that you can use our top-rated malware remover: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.

How to prevent from getting browser hijacker

Choose a proper web browser and improve your safety with a VPN tool

Online spying has got momentum in recent years and people are getting more and more interested in how to protect their privacy online. One of the basic means to add a layer of security – choose the most private and secure web browser. Although web browsers can't grant full privacy protection and security, some of them are much better at sandboxing, HTTPS upgrading, active content blocking, tracking blocking, phishing protection, and similar privacy-oriented features. However, if you want true anonymity, we suggest you employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN – it can encrypt all the traffic that comes and goes out of your computer, preventing tracking completely.

 

Lost your files? Use data recovery software

While some files located on any computer are replaceable or useless, others can be extremely valuable. Family photos, work documents, school projects – these are types of files that we don't want to lose. Unfortunately, there are many ways how unexpected data loss can occur: power cuts, Blue Screen of Death errors, hardware failures, crypto-malware attack, or even accidental deletion.

To ensure that all the files remain intact, you should prepare regular data backups. You can choose cloud-based or physical copies you could restore from later in case of a disaster. If your backups were lost as well or you never bothered to prepare any, Data Recovery Pro can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.

About the author
Alice Woods
Alice Woods - Likes to teach users about virus prevention

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