Search.maps2go.net Redirect (Mac)

What is search.maps2go.net?

search.maps2go.net is similar to many other fake search engines such as search.regevpop.com, search-operator.com, and search.tapufind.com. These are just some examples. Developers promote this site as a useful search engine that is capable of providing an enhanced browsing experience with improved results, faster searches, and so on.

The search.maps2go.net site is promoted using rogue downloaders/installers that adjust browser settings. Furthermore, this search engine gathers data relating to users' browsing activities.

The downloaders/installers usually have an impact on browsers such as Google Chrome, Safari, and Mozilla Firefox. In this case, they assign search.maps2go.net as the homepage, default search engine, and new tab URL. Users are forced to visit this website when they open the affected browser, a new tab, or enter a search query into the URL bar.

Furthermore, downloaders/installers usually install browser apps (extensions or plug-ins) called "helper objects", which prevent users from undoing the changes (assigned settings). This situation continues unless the "helper objects" are uninstalled.

Using the search.maps2go.net search engine is pointless, since it does not generate its own, unique search results - it provides Yahoo results, simply by redirecting users to search.yahoo.com. Another downside of using this fake search engine is that, together with "helper objects", it tracks (records) information relating to browsing habits.

It collects data such as URLs of visited websites, geo-locations, search queries, IP addresses, and so on. Developers share the accumulated information with third parties (potentially cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue.

Therefore, do not use search.maps2go.net or have dubious, unknown apps installed, since this might cause privacy/browsing safety issues or even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	search.maps2go.net browser hijacker
Threat Type	Mac malware, Mac virus
Symptoms	Your Mac became slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you get redirected to shady websites.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers, torrent file downloads.
Damage	Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites, loss of private information.
Malware Removal (Mac)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner for Mac To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Developers present fake search engines as capable of providing an enhanced browsing experience or by offering other features, tools and so on. In fact, most search engines of this type deliver no real value. They often cause problems and are used only to generate revenue for their developers.

How did search.maps2go.net install on my computer?

Generally, these search engines are promoted using the aforementioned rogue download and installation set-ups. This is achieved by employing a deceptive marketing method called "bundling", which is used to trick people into downloading and installing unwanted apps together with other software.

They hide information regarding the inclusion of these apps "Custom" and "Advanced" settings of the download or installation set-ups. Note however, that unwanted apps cannot be downloaded/installed without first giving them permission. Most users grant permission unintentionally by skipping installation/download steps without checking included settings/options.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

We advise you to download software using official and trustworthy websites or other reliable sources. Various third party downloaders, peer-to-peer networks such as torrents, dubious websites or other similar channels should not be used. Also check "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings when installing or downloading software.

Ensure that there are no offers to install (or download) unwanted apps. Decline them and only then proceed to the next step of the process. Do not click intrusive ads. Some cause redirects to untrustworthy (and potentially malicious) websites such as pornography, adult dating, gambling, etc.

If you encounter these redirects or experience intrusive ads, it is possible that there are unwanted apps installed on your browser or computer. Check your browser for unwanted applications (extensions, plug-ins, and add-ons) and the list of installed programs on your computer.

Uninstall all unwanted software. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.

Instant automatic Mac malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of Mac malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner for Mac By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is search.maps2go.net?
• STEP 1. Remove search.maps2go.net related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove search.maps2go.net redirect from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove search.maps2go.net browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove search.maps2go.net homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove browser redirects to search.maps2go.net using Combo Cleaner:

search.maps2go.net redirect removal:

Remove search.maps2go.net-related potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:

Click the Finder icon. In the Finder window, select "Applications". In the applications folder, look for "MPlayerX", "NicePlayer", or other suspicious applications and drag them to the Trash. After removing the potentially unwanted application(s) that cause online ads, scan your Mac for any remaining unwanted components.

Remove browser hijacker-related files and folders

Click the Finder icon from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...

Check for browser hijacker generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by browser hijackers - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Browser hijacker commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for browser hijacker generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/

In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.

Check for browser hijacker generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by browser hijackers - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Browser hijacker commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for browser hijacker generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:

In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/

In the "LaunchDaemons" folder, look for recently-added suspicious files. For example "com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist", "com.myppes.net-preferences.plist", "com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist", "com.avickUpd.plist", etc., and move them to the Trash.

Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:

If you have followed all the steps correctly, your Mac should be clean of infections. To ensure your system is not infected, run a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus. Download it HERE. After downloading the file, double click combocleaner.dmg installer. In the opened window, drag and drop the Combo Cleaner icon on top of the Applications icon. Now open your launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon. Wait until Combo Cleaner updates its virus definition database and click the "Start Combo Scan" button.

Combo Cleaner will scan your Mac for malware infections. If the antivirus scan displays "no threats found" - this means that you can continue with the removal guide; otherwise, it's recommended to remove any found infections before continuing.

After removing files and folders generated by the browser hijackers, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

Remove browser hijackers from Internet browsers

Remove Safari browser hijackers:

Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".

In the preferences window, select "Extensions" and look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions. When located, click the "Uninstall" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Safari browser - none are crucial for regular browser operation.

Change your homepage:

In the "Preferences" window, select the "General" tab. To set your homepage, type the preferred website URL (for example: www.google.com) in the Homepage field. You can also click the "Set to Current Page" button if you wish to set your homepage to the website you are currently visiting.

Change your default search engine:

In the "Preferences" window, select the "Search" tab. Here you will find a drop-down menu labeled "Search engine:" Simply select your preferred search engine from the drop-down list.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

Remove Google Chrome browser hijackers:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable the malicious extension (if present), look for a browser hijacker URL 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 a browser hijacker URL, when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window) and select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

Change your homepage

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable malicious extension (if present), remove the browser hijacker URL 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 "Accept the Risk and Continue".

In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled". Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the button.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

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