MapsGalaxy Removal Manual

by Berta Bilbao | August 18, 2015 | 0 Comments browser extension, pop-ups, PUP

What Is MapsGalaxy?What Does MapsGalaxy Do?Where Did MapsGalaxy Come from?What Is the Danger of MapsGalaxy?Removing MapsGalaxy

Name	MapsGalaxy
Type	Ad-supported Browser Extension
Short Description	Pop-ups administered by an extension for Google Chrome.
Symptoms	The user may encounter different types of advertisements.
Distribution Method	In freeware packages (bundling), or executing fake updates, clicking on random pop-up windows.
Detection tool	Download SpyHunter, to See If Your System Has Been Affected By MapsGalaxy

What Is MapsGalaxy?

MapsGalaxy is a browser toolbar. It offers users services such as:

Access to maps
Driving directions
Weather forecasts
Traffic reports

However, delivering these services is another question. This add-on is classified as a browser hijacker. If you install it on your computer, MapsGalaxy will change your browser’s settings. What is more, you will also start receiving numerous ads whenever you are browsing the web. After it is on your PC, you will have a new homepage and default search engine. This program offers no useful services. It will be an annoyance though. What is more, such programs are considered as risks for the system’s security. This is why you should remove it as soon as possible.

What Does MapsGalaxy Do?

Once installed, MapsGalaxy will immediately change your browser’s settings. It will make mywebsearch.com your homepage and default search engine. These changes can occur on Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome as MapsGalaxy can work on all three of the browsers. Mywebsearch.com has been developed by Mindspark Interactive Network, Inc, which is known for creating some very dubious programs. So you should think twice about trusting it.

Where Did MapsGalaxy Come from?

MapsGalaxy is available on its official web page, as well as on the Chrome Web Store. It is possible that you have downloaded and installed it yourself. However, browser hijackers are known for getting installed on computers without users noticing. They achieve this through bundled downloads. If you download any free programs from third-party dispensers, there is a possibility that there will be additional software attached to the installers. There are a few measures you can take to avoid bundled downloads:

Avoid third-party software distributors.
Do not skip through the installation. Instead, make sure to read all information presented to you.
Select Advanced/Custom installation. This will give you the opportunity to decline any additional programs that may be on the installer.

What Is the Danger of MapsGalaxy?

The real problem with MapsGalaxy is the search engine that it will make your homepage and default search provider. It is not to be trusted as it can show numerous sponsored links at the top of the search results. Some of these may very well lead to unreliable websites. The search engine is not liable for the contents of the websites it promotes, so there is possibility that some of them are managed by cyber criminals. If you are transferred onto one of these, your PC may be targeted for malware attacks, or a phishing scam may be attempted.

You should also expect sudden redirects to different websites. This is also the doing of MapsGalaxy. Do not be surprised if pop-up ads start appearing constantly while you are browsing the web. These can also take you to unreliable websites. As you can see, MapsGalaxy will cause you nothing but troubles. This is why you should remove it as soon as possible.

Removing MapsGalaxy

You can uninstall MapsGalaxy manually. Go to Control Panel, open the list of programs, find MapsGalaxy and remove it. It is also important to reset your browser’s settings. However, your system may still be at risk. There may be more adware on it, and there is a chance that malware has already made its way onto it. Security specialists recommend having a reliable antimalware tool on your computer. This will remove all intruders from it. It will also protect it against any attacks by infections. This is the best way to ensure that your sensitive information is completely safe.

Spy Hunter scanner will only detect the threat. If you want the threat to be automatically removed, you need to purchase the full version of the anti-malware tool.Find Out More About SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool / How to Uninstall SpyHunter

1. Remove/Uninstall MapsGalaxy

1. Remove/Uninstall MapsGalaxy in Windows

Here is a method in few easy steps to remove that program. No matter if you are using Windows 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program get left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, mistakes with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:

Hold the Windows Logo Button and “R” on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear (fig.1).

In the field type in “appwiz.cpl” and press ENTER (fig.2).

This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC.
Select the program that you want to remove, and press “Uninstall” (fig.3).

Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall MapsGalaxy.

2. Restore the settings in your browser

2. Remove MapsGalaxy from your browser

Remove a toolbar from Mozilla Firefox

Remove a toolbar from Google Chrome

Remove a toolbar from Internet Explorer

Remove a toolbar from Safari

Start Mozilla Firefox Open the menu window

Select the “Add-ons” icon from the menu

Select MapsGalaxy and click “Remove“

After MapsGalaxy is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red “X” in the top right corner and start it again.

Start Google Chrome and Open the drop menu

Move the cursor over “Tools” and then from the extended menu choose “Extensions“

From the opened “Extensions” menu locate MapsGalaxy and click on the garbage bin icon on the right of it.

After MapsGalaxy is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red “X” in the top right corner and start it again.

Start Internet Explorer:

Click “‘Tools’ to open the drop menu and select ‘Manage Add-ons’

In the ‘Manage Add-ons’ window, make sure that in the first window ‘Add-on Types’, the drop menu ‘Show’ is on ‘All add-ons’

Select MapsGalaxy to remove, and then click ‘Disable’. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected toolbar, and some additional toolbars might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click ‘Disable’.

After MapsGalaxy has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red ‘X’ in the top right corner and start it again.

Start Safari

Open the drop menu by clicking on the sprocket icon in the top right corner.

From the drop menu select ‘Preferences’
In the new window select ‘Extensions’
Click once on MapsGalaxy
Click ‘Uninstall’

A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall MapsGalaxy. Select ‘Uninstall’ again, and the MapsGalaxy will be removed.

3. Remove MapsGalaxy automatically with Spy Hunter Malware - Removal Tool.

3. Remove MapsGalaxy automatically with Spy Hunter Malware – Removal Tool.

To clean your computer with the award-winning software Spy Hunter –
It is highly recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter.

Berta Bilbao

Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.

Guide 1: How to Remove MapsGalaxy from Windows.
Guide 2: Get rid of MapsGalaxy on Mac OS X.
Guide 3: Remove MapsGalaxy in Google Chrome.

Guide 4: Erase MapsGalaxy from Mozilla Firefox.
Guide 5: Uninstall MapsGalaxy from Microsoft Edge.
Guide 6: Remove MapsGalaxy from Safari.
Guide 7: Eliminate MapsGalaxy from Internet Explorer.
Guide 8: Disable MapsGalaxy Push Notifications in Your Browsers.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

How to Remove MapsGalaxy from Windows.

Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove MapsGalaxy

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter's malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria

1. Hold Windows key() + R

2. The "Run" Window will appear. In it, type "msconfig" and click OK.

3. Go to the "Boot" tab. There select "Safe Boot" and then click "Apply" and "OK".

Tip: Make sure to reverse those changes by unticking Safe Boot after that, because your system will always boot in Safe Boot from now on.

4. When prompted, click on "Restart" to go into Safe Mode.

5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen.

Step 2: Uninstall MapsGalaxy and related software from Windows

Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:

1. Hold the Windows Logo Button and "R" on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear.

2. In the field type in "appwiz.cpl" and press ENTER.

3. This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press "Uninstall"

Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.

Step 3: Clean any registries, created by MapsGalaxy on your computer.

The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by MapsGalaxy there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:

1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.

2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.

3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.

Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.

IMPORTANT!
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.

Step 4: Scan for MapsGalaxy with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.

2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.

3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.

4. After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the 'Next' button.

If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Get rid of MapsGalaxy from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall MapsGalaxy and remove related files and objects

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your Mac with SpyHunter for Mac

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter for Mac needs to purchased to remove the malware threats. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy

1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:

2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:

3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to MapsGalaxy:

Tip: To quit a process completely, choose the “Force Quit” option.

4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.

5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to MapsGalaxy. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.

6: Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to MapsGalaxy. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.

7: Remove any left-over files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:

Go to Finder.
In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.

In case you cannot remove MapsGalaxy via Step 1 above:

In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:

Disclaimer! If you are about to tamper with Library files on Mac, be sure to know the name of the virus file, because if you delete the wrong file, it may cause irreversible damage to your MacOS. Continue on your own responsibility!

1: Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:

2: Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:

3: Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as MapsGalaxy. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.

You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:

→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons

Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.

Step 2: Scan for and remove MapsGalaxy files from your Mac

When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as MapsGalaxy, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.

Click the button below below to download SpyHunter for Mac and scan for MapsGalaxy:

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove MapsGalaxy from Google Chrome.

Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu

Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"

Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.

Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Erase MapsGalaxy from Mozilla Firefox.

Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window

Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.

Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"

Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Uninstall MapsGalaxy from Microsoft Edge.

Step 1: Start Edge browser.

Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.

Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".

Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.

Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove MapsGalaxy from Safari.

Step 1: Start the Safari app.

Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.

Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".

Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.

Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.

Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.

A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the MapsGalaxy will be removed.

How to Reset Safari
IMPORTANT: Before resetting Safari make sure you back up all your saved passwords within the browser in case you forget them.

Start Safari and then click on the gear leaver icon.

Click the Reset Safari button and you will reset the browser.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Eliminate MapsGalaxy from Internet Explorer.

Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.

Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'

Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.

Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.

Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.