Search.hgomaps.co can act like a typical browser hijacker that can interrupt your regular browsing activity. It can compromise popular browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera, and Safari. Its homepage offers a search engine and quick access to several other websites. However, by using its services, you can view a lot of adverts and experience many browser redirects. Furthermore, it may be set as your start page, new tab, and default search engine settings.
This article aims to help you get rid of Search.hgomaps.co browser hijacker and restore your PC back to a clean state.
Threat Summary
| Name | |
| Type | Browser Hijacker, PUP |
| Short Description | Every browser application which is on your computer will get affected. The hijacker can redirect you and show you lots of advertisements. |
| Symptoms | Browser settings that get changed are the start page, search engine and the new tab page. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages |
| Detection Tool |
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss . |
Search.hgomaps.co Redirect – Distribution Methods
The annoying browser redirect may penetrate the system along with other freeware you have recently installed. If it was bundled with the desired freeware you probably have unnoticeably installed it by following the installation steps. In order to prevent this next time read the End-user license agreement (EULA) of the software installer carefully. It should provide information if additional software is packed in the installer. Another way is to check for Custom or Advanced install options and unmark the unwanted content.
Search.hgomaps.co Redirect – Detailed Analysis
After intrusion, Search.hgomaps.co could change essential browser settings and replace the default homepage, the search engine, and the new tab window. In addition, it may install and enable a browser add-on. Then it can start delivering a lot of ads and targeted content. This is actually one of its primary purposes as all clicks realized through Search.hgomaps.co browser redirect can generate revenue to its developers.
In case that it hijacked your browser it is possible to see its homepage each time you open your browser:
Eventually, search results generated by Search.hgomaps.co aren’t even from its own web search engine but from Yahoo search. Every time you enter a search query in the search field the result appears in a new tab with Yahoo search results. It is good that unlike Hgomaps, Yahoo is proved to be a secure search engine used by millions of online users around the world every day. But if you prefer to use Yahoo as a default search engine it is better to remove the suspicious Search.hgomaps.co and then enter your browser settings to customize your preferences.
Search.hgomaps.co – Privacy Policy
The Privacy Policy and the Terms of Search.hgomaps.co are accessible from the bottom navigation menu found on its homepage. The company creator and distributor of this browser redirect is Polarity Technologies Ltd. It appears that this is not the first browser redirect associated with the same company. This week we came across and reported another website (Search.dailybibleverses.co Redirect) that also behaves like a typical browser hijacker and is again developed by Polarity Technologies Ltd. Aa regards the list of collected information from all users who are using their services, it appears to be pretty long:
- 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
Even though Search.hgomaps.co is not regarded to be a malware which means that it is not created to cause harm to your computer, it can also cause unwanted effects. The collected information may be shared with third-party applications that are likely to flood your browser with targeted advertisements of all kind – pop-ups, banners, videos, links, etc. Thus you may begin to experience a lot of browser crashes and slowed PC performance.
Remove Search.hgomaps.co Redirect Effectively
If your browser is hijacked by Search.hgomaps.co you can find removal instructions for your browser in the detailed guide below. The help of an advanced anti-malware tool is recommended for maximum effectiveness. Such program will identify all leftovers, remove them efficiently and keep the computer safe in future.
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 from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove
Step 2: Uninstall 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 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 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 from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall 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 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 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 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 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 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 will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate 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.
