What is Text to Google Maps?
Text to Google Maps is the name of a browser extension, which has been categorised to be potentially unsafe and should be removed from your computer system immediately. The main reason why it has been created is because this software has been designed to push various ads while pretending to be a legitimate Google extension. These ads may not always lead to safe places as many of them could turn out to be dangerous for your computer.
Read this article to learn further information about Text to Google Maps and what you can do to remove it effectively.
Text to Google Maps Summary
| Name | Text to Google Maps |
| Type | Browser Hijacker / PUP / Scam Redirect |
| Short Description | Aims to modify the settings on your web browser in order to get it to cause browser redirects and display different advertisements. |
| Symptoms | Your web browser begins to display various types of online advertisements, which results in slowing down of your computer. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your Device Has Been Affected by Text to Google Maps
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Malware Removal Tool
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Text to Google Maps. |
Text to Google Maps – How Did I Get It
Text to Google Maps is the name of a software, classified by security companies as a PUP. Other applications with similar behaviour include TabsMode, Posto.click and NFT Tab.
Just like these applications, the Text to Google Maps may end up on your browser using the following means:
- If you have added it from some suspicious site advertising it via pop-up or redirect to include it.
- If it has been automatically installed by some other adware you already have on your computer.
Text to Google Maps may be bundled together to other software, where it could begin to show up as a “free extra” included in the installer:
Text to Google Maps – What Does It Do?
Text to Google Maps may change multiple settings of your web browser. These settings include altering your home, new tab page and other default websites that may show up when you open your browser:
- Browser redirects.
- Banner promotions.
- Push notification advertisements.
- Pop-up adverts.
- Highlighted text ads.
- Search results, replaced with ads.
Text to Google Maps may use multiple kinds of cookies, pixels and other such forms of trackers
Seeing these tracking technologies is not good news for your as they may end up collecting data concerning your online activities, such as:
- IP and MAC address information.
- Sites you may have bookmarked.
- Your browsing history.
- Movements of your mouse.
- Files you have downloaded.
- The searches you have conducted.
- Where you click online.
- Different personally identifiable information you may type.
Is Text to Google Maps a Virus?
Text to Google Maps is believed to be not a virus, but a browser hijacker software. It may be just as dangerous as a virus, however, since most of its ads may lead to dangerous websites, like:
- Scam sites.
- Fake survey domains.
- Phishing.
- Virus-infested URLs
- Multiple redirects or redirect loop schemes.
- Rogue or fake software download schemes.
- Tech support scams, that are fake.
This is why it is a good idea to remove this software from your device as soon as possible.
How to Remove Text to Google Maps Adware?
Text to Google Maps can fully be erased from your device if you follow the removal steps down beneath. They have been made so they can help you get rid of this software either yourself or automatically. If you want to achieve the best possible removal, then our primary suggestion is that you use a professional anti-malware software, which will automatically scan your device and get rid of this malware.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
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Steps to Prepare Before Removal:
Before starting to follow the steps below, be advised that you should first do the following preparations:
- Backup your files in case the worst happens.
- Make sure to have a device with these instructions on standy.
- Arm yourself with patience.
- 1. Scan for Mac Malware
- 2. Uninstall Risky Apps
- 3. Clean Your Browsers
Step 1: Scan for and remove Text to Google Maps files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Text to Google Maps, 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.
Quick and Easy Mac Malware Video Removal Guide
Bonus Step: How to Make Your Mac Run Faster?
Mac machines maintain probably the fastest operating system out there. Still, Macs do become slow and sluggish sometimes. The video guide below examines all of the possible problems that may lead to your Mac being slower than usual as well as all of the steps that can help you to speed up your Mac.
Step 2: Uninstall Text to Google Maps 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:
2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:
3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to Text to Google Maps:
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 Text to Google Maps. 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 Text to Google Maps. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
7. Remove any leftover 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 Text to Google Maps 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:
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 Text to Google Maps. 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 3: Remove Text to Google Maps – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
Text to Google Maps-FAQ
What is Text to Google Maps on your Mac?
The Text to Google Maps threat is probably a potentially unwanted app. There is also a chance it could be related to Mac malware. If so, such apps tend to slow your Mac down significantly and display advertisements. They could also use cookies and other trackers to obtain browsing information from the installed web browsers on your Mac.
Can Macs Get Viruses?
Yes. As much as any other device, Apple computers do get malware. Apple devices may not be a frequent target by malware authors, but rest assured that almost all of the Apple devices can become infected with a threat.
What Types of Mac Threats Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the types of threats that can currently infect your Mac can be rogue antivirus programs, adware or hijackers (PUPs), Trojan horses, ransomware and crypto-miner malware.
What To Do If I Have a Mac Virus, Like Text to Google Maps?
Do not panic! You can easily get rid of most Mac threats by firstly isolating them and then removing them. One recommended way to do that is by using a reputable malware removal software that can take care of the removal automatically for you.
There are many Mac anti-malware apps out there that you can choose from. SpyHunter for Mac is one of the reccomended Mac anti-malware apps, that can scan for free and detect any viruses. This saves time for manual removal that you would otherwise have to do.
How to Secure My Data from Text to Google Maps?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your e-mail passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activiites with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these reccomendations, your network and Apple devices will become significantly more safe against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
More tips you can find on our MacOS Virus section, where you can also ask any questions and comment about your Mac problems.
About the Text to Google Maps Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Text to Google Maps how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific macOS issue.
How did we conduct the research on Text to Google Maps?
Please note that our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware definitions, including the various types of Mac threats, especially adware and potentially unwanted apps (PUAs).
Furthermore, the research behind the Text to Google Maps threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.