What is DirectionsBuilder Toolbar?
If you think that DirectionsBuilder Toolbar is a useful tool, then you are in for an unpleasant surprise. Malware researchers at Anti-spyware-101.com have classified it as malware, a dangerous toolbar that was designed for carrying a browser hijacker called Hp.myway.com. You must remove this toolbar and its search engine because both of them can compromise your computer’s security. The search engine is prone to featuring ads in its search results, and this toolbar can modify websites to include ads as well. Both of them collect information about the user and use it for commercial and advertising purposes. To find out more about this malicious toolbar and its search engine, read this article as it contains detailed information.
What does DirectionsBuilder Toolbar do?
Officially, DirectionsBuilder Toolbar is a browser extension that provides its users with tools that help them navigate roads. It is claimed that it can help you plan your route, provide you with bus and train schedules and transit maps. However, in reality, it only provides links to third-party websites in its bookmarks bar. Thus, this toolbar does not provide you with anything that you cannot get on your own. Our malware researchers conclude that this browser toolbar is just a cover for its true objective which is to replace your browser’s homepage address and show you shady commercial advertisements that make its developers money.
This toolbar has a version for Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Internet Explorer. If you install it on your PC, then it will automatically replace your browser’s homepage address and new tab page with its promoted search engine — Hp.myway.com. The main page of this search engine is minimalistic, so unwary users may not notice the change from their default search engine to this one. However, if you use it for browsing the web, this search engine will present you with modified search results regardless of the fact that it says that they have been enhanced by Google. The search results can contain promotional links of unverified safety. Therefore, using Hp.myway.com is a potential security risk. It may promote websites that feature malware downloads or sites that steal personal information. DirectionsBuilder Toolbar is also set to show ads, but it can show ads on random sites you may visit. Its ads can come as coupons or banners much like in the case of adware.
It is worth mentioning that Hp.myway.com and, to an extent, DirectionsBuilder Toolbar were configured to collect anonymous information about you and your browsing preferences. Our researchers have found that the search engine can obtain information such as your browsing history, entered search queries, geographical location, IP address, browser type, operating system type, and so on, automatically. They use this information for customizing and tailoring the ad campaign for each unique user to generate advertising revenue.
Where does DirectionsBuilder Toolbar come from?
DirectionsBuilder Toolbar is similar to StreamlinedDIY Toolbar, EasyWeatherAlert Toolbar, MyFormsFinder Toolbar, and many others. All of these toolbars were published by Mindspark Interactive Network LLC. This company is dedicated to making malware such as this as it brings them a healthy profit. It distributes its toolbars using dedicated download websites, and in the case of DirectionsBuilder Toolbar, the site’s address is Directionsbuilder.com. Interestingly, if you want to download DirectionsBuilder Toolbar, you have to check the checkbox agreeing to replace your browser’s homepage and new tab page. Its distribution method is by no means deceptive, so, to avoid it, you should not visit its website and download it. Currently, there is no other distribution method we know of, so there is no way you can get it accidentally.
How do I remove DirectionsBuilder Toolbar?
In conclusion, DirectionsBuilder Toolbar is a highly unreliable toolbar that masquerades as a useful tool while doing next to nothing to provide you with a useful service. As we said, its only purpose is to replace your browser’s homepage and new tab page with its featured search engine so that it could show you ads and promotions in the search results. Therefore, we recommend that you remove it from your PC using our guide or an anti-malware program.
Removal Guide
Mozilla Firefox
- Hold down Win+E.
- In the address box enter the following file paths and click OK.
- %AppData%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{Unique folder ID}\extensions\_hoMembers_@free.directionsbuilder.com
- %AppData%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{Unique folder ID}\DirectionsBuilder_ho
- Delete all files.
- Then, go to %AppData%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{Unique folder ID}
- Open prefs.js with Notepad.
- Find user_pref("browser.startup.homepage", http://hp.myway.com/directionsbuilder/ttab02/index.html replace http://hp.myway.com/directionsbuilder/ttab02/index.html with another search engine.
Google Chrome
- Hold down Win+E.
- In the address box enter the following file paths and hit Enter.
- %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data \Default
- %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions
- Find dojjkecigfkngmeclcjoijjeemgippmi and delete it.
- Then delete Preferences and Secure Preferences.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Hold down Win+E.
- In the address box enter the following file paths and press Enter.
- %LOCALAPPDATA%\DirectionsBuilderTooltab
- %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\DirectionsBuilderTooltab
- Delete all files.
- Hold down Win+R.
- Type regedit in the dialog box and click OK.
- Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
- Find Start Page, right-click it and click Modify.
- Replace http://hp.myway.com/directionsbuilder/ttab02/index.html with another search engine click OK.
- Then, go to and deletethe following registry keys.
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\DOMStorage\www.directionsbuilder.com
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\DirectionsBuilderTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\DOMStorage\directionsbuilder.dl.myway.com
tested removal of DirectionsBuilder Toolbar*
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