This article aims to help you with the removal of OnlineMapFinder extension and toolbar from affected browser and system. Follow the detailed guide at the end to get rid of this undesired program in full.
OnlineMapFinder is a dubious browser extension that could appear in your browser without your permission. It is associated with the company MindSpark that is a well-known distributor of various potentially unwanted apps. The extension is one of the numerous products released by the company that aims to obtain certain details from affected web browsers and generates income for its owners. Its presence in the browser usually leads to the display of many sponsored content and redirects to poorly secured websites.
Threat Summary
| Name | OnlineMapFinder |
| Type | Browser Hijacker, Toolbar, PUP |
| Short Description | OnlineMapFinder is a suspicious browser extension that adds a toolbar and a browser hijacker in an affected browser. It modifies the settigns of the homepages, new tab page and default search engine. |
| Symptoms | The homepage, new tab page and default search engine of affected browsers redirect to MyWay Search browser hijacker. Many advertisements flood the browser and make it sluggish. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages |
| Detection Tool |
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss OnlineMapFinder. |
OnlineMapFinder – Spread Techniques
Most of the techniques used for the distribution of OnlineMapFinder browser extension attempt to trick you into installing it unnoticeably on your PC. One of the preferred ways of distribution is software bundling. It allows developers of various free third-party apps to inject installation code of undesired programs like OnlineMapFinder into the installers and set the extras to install by default. Due to the fact that this practice enables them to monetize their projects, they aim to trick as many users as possible.
Unfortunately, they rarely disclose any information about the existing extras in the regular steps of the installer. And if you want to prevent the installation of potentially undesired programs when you are installing a new app you definitely need to find the Advanced/Custom configuration steps and read carefully what is mentioned there. Most of the times they present information about the existing additional apps and you can opt out their installation or at least have a second chance to decide whether you want the primary app or not.
There are two other channels where OnlineMapFinder extension could be downloaded. The first one is Chrome web store:
And the second is its official website ht*p://onlinemapfinder.com. However, as they require you to download manually the nasty browser extension, they are less likely to be the reason why you see it in your browser.
Frequently used web browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Safari could be affected by OnlineMapFinder extension.
OnlineMapFinder Browser Extension/Toolbar – Detailed Overview
OnlineMapFinder is a browser extension that is presented as a convenient option that grants you access to FREE maps, quick directions, traffic reports and more with one click. Most of the times it appears in the browser unexpectedly. It is set to skip showing any notifications or asking you for permission. And once installed in the browser is receives the permissions to:
- Read and change all your data on the websites you visit
- Replace the page you see when opening a new tab
- Manage your downloads
- Manage your apps, extensions, and themes
Apparently, OnlineMapFinder extension can replace the homepage, new tab page and default search engine with the infamous MyWay.com browser hijacker.
After infection with this nasty program, you may also notice an increased number of online ads in your affected browser. In order to generate profits for its owners, OnlineMapFinder is set to inject different kind of online ads including banners, pop-ups, pop-unders, in-text ads, sponsored search results, videos, etc. All these ads are likely to make your browser sluggish and even unresponsive at times. At worst some of the ads may land you on compromised web pages that with the help of malicious JavaScript files download malware directly on your PC.
If you want to prevent this browser extension from redirecting you to MyWay.com hijacker and other websites of unknown origin you need to remove it completely from the affected browser and system.
OnlineMapFinder – Privacy Policy
The undesired OnlineMapFinder browser extension and toolbar is owned by MindSpark – a company known for the distribution of numerous nasty apps that harass online users. Just to name a few reported by our team – ShoppingDealsLive, Mywebsearch.com, VideoConvert.
And according to the information presented in the Privacy Policy section of OnlineMapFinder the service gathers the following details from your affected browser:
- Your name
- Your address
- Email address
- Number of your page views
- What links you clicked
- Telephone number
- Username and password
- Browser type
- Preferred language
- Other browser-related data
- Keyword query, search query text and search results you clicked on
- Adverts clicked and cookie data
- Your login times
The following quote from the Privacy Policy is not unusual for Mindspark:
We may receive information from third-parties, including our authorized service providers, IAC affiliates, advertising companies, and ad networks. These third parties may display ads via the MS Services.These companies may use tracking technologies, such as cookies, to collect information about users who view or interact with these advertisements.
All information which is acquired could be shared with third-party businesses. In case you do not want your private space to be invaded by this nasty app, you should remove it completely from the affected system as soon as possible.
How to Remove OnlineMapFinder in Full
In order to remove OnlineMapFinder from your PC make sure to complete all the steps listed in the removal that follows. It presents both manual and automatic removal instructions that combined will help you to remove this nasty program in full. The automatic approach guarantees maximum efficiency as after a scan with an advanced anti-malware tool you can see the exact location of all malicious files and objects created by OnlineMapFinder and remove them from the infected PC. In case that you have further questions or need additional help, don’t hesitate to leave a comment or contact us via email.
Gergana Ivanova
Gergana has a bachelor's degree in Marketing. She has been with the STF team for five years, researching malware, reporting on the latest computer infections, and following digital marketing trends.
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- Guide 1: How to Remove OnlineMapFinder from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of OnlineMapFinder from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove OnlineMapFinder from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase OnlineMapFinder from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall OnlineMapFinder from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove OnlineMapFinder from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate OnlineMapFinder from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove OnlineMapFinder from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove OnlineMapFinder
Step 2: Uninstall OnlineMapFinder 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:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by OnlineMapFinder 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 OnlineMapFinder there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
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.
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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Get rid of OnlineMapFinder from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall OnlineMapFinder and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- 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 OnlineMapFinder 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:
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 malware from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts, programs and malware, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. Combo Cleaner offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove OnlineMapFinder 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
Erase OnlineMapFinder 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
Uninstall OnlineMapFinder 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
Remove OnlineMapFinder 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 OnlineMapFinder will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate OnlineMapFinder 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.
