MapsFrontier Adware

What is MapsFrontier?

MapsFrontier is a deceptive application that supposedly allows users to find driving directions. On initial inspection, MapsFrontier may seem legitimate and useful, however, this app is classed as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and adware (advertising malware).

There are three main reasons for these negative associations: 1) stealth installation without consent; 2) display of intrusive advertisements, and; 3) information tracking.

Following infiltration, MapsFrontier delivers various 'malvertising' ads (such as banners, pop-ups, coupons, etc.) To achieve this, developers employ various tools (including a "virtual layer") that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, ads often conceal underlying content, significantly diminishing the browsing experience.

When clicked, malvertising ads can redirect to malicious websites or even activate scripts that download and install malware/potentially unwanted programs - even accidental clicks might result in high-risk adware or malware infections. As with most adware, MapsFrontier continually records various information that might contain personal details.

MapsFrontier's developers gather information (including keystrokes, URLs visited, queries entered into search engines, pages viewed, etc.) to sell to third parties (for marketing purposes and to generate revenue).

For these reasons, adware-type apps such as MapsFrontier pose a direct threat to your privacy and Internet browsing safety. We recommend that you eliminate MapsFrontier adware immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by MapsFrontier
Threat Type	Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus
Symptoms	Seeing advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing. Intrusive pop-up ads. Decreased Internet browsing speed.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers.
Damage	Decreased computer performance, browser tracking - privacy issues, possible additional malware infections.
Malware Removal (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

There are a number of other MapsFrontier variants under different names (for example, MapsScout, MapsTrek, MapsAlly, MapsVoyage). Furthermore, this PUP is virtually identical to VPNTop, Setli, Right-Click Search, Save Tabs, and dozens of other adware-type applications. 

Almost all adware claims to enable "useful functionality", however, these claims are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy. The only purpose of all adware is to generate revenue for the developers. Most delivers no value for regular users (only some malware provides any of the features promised).

Rather than enabling "useful functionality", PUPs deliver intrusive advertisements (via the "Pay Per Click" advertising model) and continually gather private information.

In addition, some stealthily perform background tasks (such as cryptocurrency mining) without users' consent. This significantly diminishes computer performance (these tasks usually demand many computer resources).

How did MapsFrontier install on my computer?

Some adware-type apps (including MapFrontier and its variants) have official download websites, however, they are also proliferated using malvertising ads and via a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" - stealth installation of third party apps together with regular (mostly free) software.

Therefore, PUPs often infiltrate systems without consent, or users install them inadvertently. Developers know that users often rush the download/installation processes without analyzing steps.

Therefore, they hide "bundled" programs within the "Custom/Advanced" settings of these set-ups. Rushing this stage and clicking ads, thus often leads to various computer infections and compromises users' privacy.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

PUPs are distributed using intrusive ads and via the bundling method. Therefore, be cautious when downloading/installing software and browsing the Internet in general. Carefully analyze each step of the download/installation processes (especially the "Custom/Advanced" settings) and opt-out of all additionally-included programs.

Bundled apps are often proliferated using third party downloaders/installers. Therefore, download your software only from trusted/official sources using a direct download URL. Most 'malvertising' ads appear legitimate, since criminals put a great deal of time and effort into designing them. Therefore, determining if they originate from the visited (legitimate) website is difficult.

If you have clicked ads leading to websites such as adult dating, pornography, gambling, etc., immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins. The key to computer safety is caution.

Screenshots of websites promoting other variants of MapsFrontier adware ("MapsAlly", "MapsVoyage", "MapsScout" and "MapsTrek"):

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Quick menu:

• What is MapsFrontier?
• STEP 1. Uninstall MapsFrontier application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove MapsFrontier adware from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove MapsFrontier ads from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by MapsFrontier' from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove MapsFrontier extension from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

MapsFrontier adware removal:

Windows 11 users:

Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.

Windows 10 users:

Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.

Windows 7 users:

Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.

macOS (OSX) users:

Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

In the uninstall programs window, look for "MapsFrontier", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes MapsFrontier ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove MapsFrontier adware from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:

Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for "MapsFrontier", select this entry and click "Remove".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by mapsfrontier, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.

Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Click the Reset button.

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "MapsFrontier Advertising", select this entry and click the trash can icon.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by mapsfrontier, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions", in the opened window, remove "MapsFrontier".

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with ads by mapsfrontier removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.

Select Troubleshooting Information.

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....

In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.

Optional method:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by mapsfrontier, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

• If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.

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