Mapsnow.co Redirect

What is mapsnow.co?

mapsnow.co is one of many fake search engines that supposedly provides better, faster results or an improved browsing experience. The site is promoted by developers as a legitimate and useful via an app called Maps Now, which supposedly allows users to find the fastest routes to their destinations.

In fact, this application is categorized as a potentially unwanted app (PUA), a browser hijacker. Apps of this type usually modify browser settings and record information relating to users' browsing habits.

Browser hijackers can usually be installed on browsers such as Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Internet Explorer. In this particular case, when Maps Now is installed, it assigns mapsnow.co as the homepage, default search engine, and new browser tab URL.

These modifications cannot be undone or changed - browser hijackers usually reassign settings when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, people with Maps Now installed are forced to visit mapsnow.co when they open their browsers, new browser tabs, or enter search queries into the URL bar.

The only way to avoid visiting this website is to uninstall the Maps Now app. Another problem with this app and its associated fake search engine is that it collects information regarding users' browsing habits, including search queries, IP addresses, geo-locations, URLs of visited websites, etc.

This data is continually shared with third parties (cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue. Some of the recorded details might be private or sensitive. This situation can lead to various problems, such as privacy issues, and issues with browsing safety or even identity theft. Therefore, we recommend that you uninstall Maps Now (and other PUAs) immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	Maps Now 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. ▼ 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 many fake search engines on the internet and most have similar behavior. Examples of other similar search engines are yatab.net, feed.convertowiz.com, and search.hfasttrackerpackage.net.

Generally, they are promoted as capable of providing better performance, more accurate results, and so on, however, developers present them as useful and legitimate merely to trick people in to using them.

When used, these fake search engines perform actions that allow developers to generate revenue, and they provide nothing in return. They deliver none of the features promised, tools, or other benefits.

How did Maps Now install on my computer?

Maps Now is promoted via a website from which is can be downloaded, however, most people download PUAs unintentionally when they click dubious ads (capable of executing certain scripts) or download and install software. To trick people into downloading/installing PUAs, developers use a method called "bundling".

They hide bundled (additionally-included) apps in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings of software installation/download set-ups. Furthermore, many people rush these procedures and leave all settings unchanged. This behaviour causes inadvertent download and installation of unwanted apps.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Download software using reliable and official sources (websites). Torrent clients, eMule, various other Peer-to-peer-networks, third party software downloaders/installers, unofficial websites, and other channels should not be used. Installations and downloads should be handled with care.

Check all available settings ("Custom, "Advanced", and so on) and dismiss offers to install/download any additional apps before finishing the process. Avoid clicking intrusive ads, especially when they are displayed on dubious websites.

These ads tend to redirect users to gambling, adult dating, pornography, and other untrustworthy websites that could be malicious and cause problems. If you experience these advertisements or redirects, they might be caused by unwanted apps. Check installed extensions, plug-ins, and add-ons on your browser and programs on your computer.

Uninstall any suspicious/unknown entries (applications or programs) immediately. If your computer is already infected with Maps Now, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Website promoting Maps Now browser hijacker:

Instant automatic 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 malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner 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. 7 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 mapsnow.co?
• STEP 1. Uninstall Maps Now application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove mapsnow.co redirect from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove Maps Now browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove mapsnow.co homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove mapsnow.co redirect from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Maps Now 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, "Maps Now"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications that cause browser redirects to the mapsnow.co website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Maps Now browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser redirects (Windows OS):

Video showing how to remove Maps Now browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner (MacOS):

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://mapsnow.co 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 "mapsnow".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the maps now 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 "Maps Now" 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, disable "Maps Now", look for a browser hijacker's URL (hxxp://www.mapsnow.co) 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 "mapsnow.co", 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 maps now 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 "Maps Now", 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, disable "Maps Now",  remove hxxp://mapsnow.co 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 maps now 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 maps now 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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