What is Maps Driving Directions?
Have you downloaded the Maps Driving Directions extension because you through that it would help you plan your trips and driving routes? Although it would be unfair to state that it is completely useless, it certainly is not beneficial. Once installed, the extension hijacks the new tab, homepage, and/or search provider to introduce Chrome/Firefox/Internet Explorer users to Search.searchmmap.com. This search engine displays easy-access links to google.com/maps/ (Google Maps), bing.com/maps/ (Bing Maps), and geico.com/save/local-gas-prices/ (Gas Prices). Some users might find quick access to these sites highly beneficial. Of course, our research team at Anti-Spyware-101.com does not agree with that. What is advertised as a beneficial search tool is just a glorified search engine, and an unreliable at that. These are some of the reasons to remove Maps Driving Directions from your web browser (for Chrome and Firefox) or the PC (for Internet Explorer). If you wish to delete the threat, you are reading the right article.
How does Maps Driving Directions work?
At the time of research, Maps Driving Directions did not have an official download page. It appears that it has been taken down, along with the Chrome webstore installer that used to be available for Chrome users at chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/maps-driving-directions/gpaebanaopabfhbdkinadojffejjafpl. That does not mean that Maps Driving Directions is dead. It is still possible that this strange extension is being spread using malicious installers that might carry a bunch of useless and unreliable programs together. If this is how the extension got into your operating system, you need to look into these other programs. Install a trusted malware scanner (you can click the Download link to get a free one), and use it to scan your operating system. If more serious threats are found, remove them first. You need to delete the extension we are discussing in this report too, but it can wait, as long as you stop using the browser hijacker that it represents. Yes, Search.searchmmap.com is classified as a browser hijacker, and we advise removing it ASAP.
The interface of Search.searchmmap.com is practically identical to the ones of Search.searchidd.com, Search.searchjmt.com, Search.searchwtii.com, and many other hijackers whose removal we have discussed in previous reports. This is because all of these threats were probably created by the same company. Most likely, it is also the creator of Maps Driving Directions. As mentioned previously, the hijacker presents links to maps and travel-related sites, and it also offers links to Amazon, Walmart, Facebook, and Gmail because they are popular. It is most important, however, that it presents an unreliable search tool. If you type anything into the search field, you will be redirected to Yahoo Search. If you are familiar with this search provider, you might click the results shown to you carelessly, but that would be a mistake. The hijacker could modify the results shown to you, and this is why you should not interact with them. Because you could be exposed to ads and malicious sites, we strongly recommend deleting Maps Driving Directions right away.
How to delete Maps Driving Directions
You want to get rid of the suspicious Maps Driving Directions right away because this extension is not meant to assist you. Sure, it can provide you with links to websites that you might already have in your bookmarks bar, but it is not beneficial or reliable. For one, the search settings on your browser are modified, and that is the only purpose behind the extension. It was built only to introduce users to Search.searchmmap.com. This hijacker can redirect searches to Yahoo Search and show modified results to trick users into interacting with sponsored content. If you do not want to become a victim of such activity, you need to delete the hijacker. Hopefully, you can do it by removing Maps Driving Directions. The instructions below show how to delete the extension from Chrome and Firefox browsers, as well as how to uninstall it from Windows, which is what Internet Explorer users need to do. We also show how to reset the browser in case the hijacker lingers. If you are dealing with multiple threats at once, install an automated anti-malware tool right now.
Removal Instructions
Google Chrome:
- Launch the browser and tap keys Alt+F.
- Select More tools and then Extensions.
- Click the Remove button to get rid of the unwanted extension.
- Tap Alt+F and select Settings.
- Scroll down, click Advanced, and then scroll down again.
- Click Reset Settings and then RESET.
Mozilla Firefox:
- Launch the browser and tap keys Alt+T.
- Choose Add-ons and then move to the Extensions list.
- Remove the unwanted extension.
- Tap Alt+H keys and select Troubleshooting information.
- Click the Refresh Firefox button.
Internet Explorer:
- Open the Windows menu and click Control Panel. If you are on Windows 10, find the utility via the search field on the Taskbar.
- Move to the Uninstall a program menu and then Uninstall the unwanted application.
- Launch the browser and tap keys Alt+T.
- Select Internet options, choose the Advanced tab, and then click Reset.
- Check Delete personal settings and then click Reset again.
It is recommended that you also clear browsing data to ensure that no elements of the hijacker remain. You can do that by launching the browser, tapping keys Ctrl+Shift+Delete, selecting time range and desired boxes, and then confirming the clear-up.
100% FREE spyware scan and
tested removal of Maps Driving Directions*
0 Comments.