Search.mapsglobalsearch.com is a hoax search engine that is classified as a browser hijacker due to its odd behavior. It tends to sneak into computer systems without users’ knowledge. Once its associated files are started on the system, they alter main browser settings including those of the start page, new tab page and default search engine. Then the hijacker becomes able to spy on certain details that define personal online interests and reveal technical specifics.
In this guide you will find instructions on how to remove Search.mapsglobalsearch.com hijacker from the affected browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Explorer, or Edge) and its files from the system.
Threat Summary
| Name | Search.mapsglobalsearch.com |
| Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, PUP |
| Short Description | A website with questionable search enigne that hijacks browser homepage, new tab page and default search engine. All modifications happen without your knowledge. |
| Symptoms | The homepage, new tab page and search enigne in preferred web browser are set to display the hoax search engine Search.mapsglobalsearch.com Browser is slowed down by an increased number of online ads. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages |
| Detection Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool |
| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Search.mapsglobalsearch.com. |
Search.mapsglobalsearch.com Browser Hijacker – Spread Techniques and Impact
Search.mapsglobalsearch.com is a website that provides search services. Its design is simple and intuitive. However, it is categorized as a browser hijacker which makes it a potentially unwanted program as well.
There are several common spreading techniques that are known to deliver PUPs on computer systems. These techniques include software bundles, malvertising, freeware with corrupted installers, fake software updates, and other.
When a hijacker is started on a system it accesses targeted web browsers to alter some main settings. Usually, browser hijackers like Search.mapsglobalsearch.com affect browser homepage, start page, new tab page and default search engine.
Here is a screenshot that shows how the start page of Firefox looks when hijacked by Search.mapsglobalsearch.com
Beware that Search.mapsglobalsearch.com is a hoax search engine that primarily aims to generate revenue to its owners.
Furthermore, as long as the hijacker is running on the device it is collecting various details that define online behavior and interests. Some technical specifics may also be obtained and transferred to connected servers. The list below reveals what information may be harvested with the help of tracking technologies like cookies, web beacons, scripts, etc.
- Visited URLs and websites
- Browser’s home page
- Search queries
- Search queries on the visited web pages
- Type of used browser
- Operating system type
- Internet protocol (IP) address
- Geographic location
- The domain name of current Internet service provider (ISP)
- Diagnostic information which describes how their Services are operating on the system
The unsolicited data collection helps Search.mapsglobalsearch.com’s owners to configure their advertising campaigns in accordance with your interests and demographics. Supposedly this specific targeting will make you more prone to visit promoted web pages. Action which will generate higher profits to hijacker’s owners.
The unwanted program is likely to deliver ads of various types – search results, banners, pop-ups, pop-unders, browser redirects, in-text links, images, etc. All these ads generated in the browser may make it sluggish and even unresponsive sometimes.
It is good to give notice to be careful when interacting with sponsored content generated by Search.mapsglobalsearch.com hijacker. Some of the presented ads may land on poorly secured or hacked web pages.
Visiting corrupted web pages can lead to unnoticed malware activation. There are many hacked web pages are designed to start a background service that drops malicious code on the system and then activates it without your knowledge.
For the sake of your PC security, it’s best to consider the complete removal of Search.mapsglobalsearch.com from the affected browser and system.
How to Remove Search.mapsglobalsearch.com Hijacker
In order to remove Search.mapsglobalsearch.com browser hijacker along with all associated files, you should complete several removal steps in a precise order. The guide below presents you manual and automatic removal approach. In order to fully get rid of files installed by undesired programs and strengthen PC security, we recommend that you combine the steps. The manual Search.mapsglobalsearch.com removal might be quite a complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. If you don’t feel comfortable with the manual steps, navigate to the automatic part of the guide.
In case you have further questions or need additional help with the removal process, don’t hesitate to leave us a comment.
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.
Follow Me:
- Guide 1: How to Remove Search.mapsglobalsearch.com from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Search.mapsglobalsearch.com from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove Search.mapsglobalsearch.com from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase Search.mapsglobalsearch.com from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall Search.mapsglobalsearch.com from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove Search.mapsglobalsearch.com from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate Search.mapsglobalsearch.com from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove Search.mapsglobalsearch.com from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Search.mapsglobalsearch.com
Step 2: Uninstall Search.mapsglobalsearch.com 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 Search.mapsglobalsearch.com 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 Search.mapsglobalsearch.com 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 Search.mapsglobalsearch.com from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Search.mapsglobalsearch.com 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 Search.mapsglobalsearch.com 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 Search.mapsglobalsearch.com 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 Search.mapsglobalsearch.com 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 Search.mapsglobalsearch.com 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 Search.mapsglobalsearch.com 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 Search.mapsglobalsearch.com will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate Search.mapsglobalsearch.com 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.
