Search.searchgmfs1.com Redirect
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is search.searchgmfs1.com?
Get Directions Quick is a deceptive application that supposedly allows users to receive driving directions. On initial inspection, Get Directions Quick may seem legitimate and useful, however, it is categorized as a potentially unwanted application (PUA) and a browser hijacker.
There are three main reasons for these negative associations: 1) installation without users' consent; 2) promotion of a fake search engine [search.searchgmfs1.com], and; 3) tracking of sensitive information.
Research shows that this browser hijacker promotes the search.searchgmfs1.com fake search engine. It hijacks Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, assigning the new tab URL, default search engine, and homepage options to search.searchgmfs1.com. These changes may seem insignificant, however, users are unable to revert them.
Be aware that Get Directions Quick reassigns browser options when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, as long as Get Directions Quick is present, returning browsers to their previous states becomes impossible and users are encouraged to visit search.searchgmfs1.com when they search via the URL bar or simply open a new browser tab.
These redirects significantly diminish the browsing experience. Another important issue is information tracking - search.searchgmfs1.com and Get Directions Quick record information relating to browsing activity. For example, IP addresses, websites visited, pages viewed, search queries, etc.
This information often includes private details. Furthermore, developers share these details with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who generate revenue by misusing private data. Therefore, information tracking can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft.
If you encounter redirects to search.searchgmfs1.com, immediately eliminate the Get Directions Quick browser hijacker and never return to this site.
| Name | Get Directions Quick browser hijacker |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Symptoms | Manipulated Internet browser(s) settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). User's are forced to visit hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers. |
| Damage | Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
There are dozens of browser-hijacking applications released by Get Directions Quick's developers including My Speed Test, Package Tracking Pro, and Weather Updater - these are just some examples from many. Note that these browser hijackers often different functionality, and yet their behavior is identical - all modify browser settings and gather personal information.
Browser hijackers and fake search engines are designed only to generate revenue for the developers, and thus deliver no value for regular users. Furthermore, some fake search engines generate misleading results and intrusive advertisements, leading to dubious websites. Using these sites can lead to various system infections.
How did Get Directions Quick install on my computer?
Get Directions Quick has an official download website, however, since developers proliferate PUAs using the "bundling" method and intrusive advertisements, this app often infiltrates systems without permission. "Bundling" is essentially stealth installation of potentially unwanted applications together with regular software/apps.
Developers hide PUAs within "Custom" or "Advanced" settings of the download/installation processes, since they do not disclose such information properly. Intrusive advertisements redirect to malicious websites and execute scripts that download/install PUAs or even malware.
Furthermore, many users are likely to rush download/installation processes, skip steps, and click various advertisements. This behavior often leads to inadvertent installation of PUAs such as Get Directions Quick.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
To prevent infiltration by potentially unwanted applications (PUAs), be very cautious when browsing the Internet and downloading/installing software. Bear in mind that intrusive advertisements typically seem legitimate, since developers invest many resources into their design, however, most lead to dubious websites, such as coupons, banners, pop-ups, and so on.
These ads are typically delivered by adware-type PUAs. If you see these ads, immediately remove all dubious applications. It is also important to select "Custom/Advanced" settings and carefully analyze each window of the download/installation dialogs. Opt-out of additionally-included programs and decline offers to download/install them.
Lack of knowledge and careless behavior are the main reasons for computer infections - the key to safety is caution. If your computer is already infected with Get Directions Quick, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Website promoting Get Directions Quick browser hijacker:
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Quick menu:
- What is search.searchgmfs1.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Get Directions Quick application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove search.searchgmfs1.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove Get Directions Quick browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove search.searchgmfs1.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove search.searchgmfs1.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Get Directions Quick browser hijacker 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 any recently installed suspicious applications (for example, "Get Directions Quick"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications that cause browser redirects to the search.searchgmfs1.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Get Directions Quick browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
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 any recently installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://search.searchgmfs1.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer. You can also enter about: blank to open a blank page when you start Internet Explorer.
Change your default search engine:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". In the opened window, select "Search Providers", set "Google", "Bing", or any other preferred search engine as your default and then remove "Search".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the get directions quick browser hijacker, 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 "Get Directions Quick" and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.searchgmfs1.com) below the “Open a specific or set of pages” option. If present, click on the three vertical dots icon and select “Remove”.
Change your default search engine:
To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list, look for "search.searchgmfs1.com", and when located, click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the get directions quick browser hijacker, 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 on "Extensions" and remove "Get Directions Quick", as well as all other recently installed browser plug-ins.
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window, remove Get Directions Quick and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.
Change your default search engine:
In the URL address bar, type about:config and press Enter.
Click "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "moz-extension"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with get directions quick browser hijacker 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 and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...
In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.
In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.
In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.
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 top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage and new tab settings:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".
Change your default Internet search engine:
To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon 
near it and select "Disable".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the get directions quick browser hijacker, 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:
A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.
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Outstanding!
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