Search.hfastmapsapp.com Redirect

What is search.hfastmapsapp.com?

Developers present search.hfastmapsapp.com as a legitimate search engine that generates improved results and provides quick access to various popular websites. In fact, search.hfastmapsapp.com is a fake search engine that is useless. Research shows that developers promote this site using a browser-hijacking potentially unwanted application (PUA) called Fast Maps App.

This app usually infiltrates computers without users' consent. Furthermore, search.hfastmapsapp.com and Fast Maps App continually track browsing activity by gathering various data.

As with most browser hijackers, Fast Maps App targets Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. Following successful infiltration, Fast Maps App assigns search.hfastmapsapp.com as the homepage, new tab URL, and default search engine. Furthermore, although these changes may seem significant, users are unable to revert them.

Research shows that Fast Maps App reassigns browser options when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, unless this browser hijacker is uninstalled, returning browsers to their previous states is impossible and, ultimately, users are encouraged to visit search.hfastmapsapp.com when they attempt to search via the URL bar or simply open a new browser tab.

Redirects of this type significantly diminish the browsing experience. In addition, search.hfastmapsapp.com generates no unique search results, since once a query is entered, users are redirected to search.yahoo.com and simply end up searching via Yahoo (search.hfastmapsapp.com is thus irrelevant). Information tracking is also an important issue.

As mentioned above, search.hfastmapsapp.com and Fast Maps App are designed to record information relating to browsing activity. These fake search engines and browser hijackers often record information that is personally identifiable. The data is sold to third parties who continue to misuse it to generate even more revenue.

Therefore, information tracking can result in serious privacy issues or even identity theft. We strongly recommend that you uninstall the Fast Maps App browser hijacker and never return to search.hfastmapsapp.com.

Threat Summary:

Name	Fast Maps App 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.

search.hfastmapsapp.com shares many similarities to dozens of other websites of this type including, for example, search.hdirectionsandmapstab.com, search.htemplatehub.co, mapsnow.co, and search.htrackflightsnow.net. These examples also falsely claim to provide "useful functionality, however, such fake promises are merely attempts (often successful) to give the impression of legitimacy.

In fact, fake search engines are designed only to generate revenue for the developers, and deliver no real value for regular users. They gather data and cause unwanted redirects. Some also feed users with intrusive advertisements and fake results, most of which lead to potentially malicious websites. Therefore, using fake search engines risks various computer infections.

How did Fast Maps App install on my computer?

This browser hijacker is free for anyone to download on its official website. Despite this, it often infiltrates systems without permission, since developers proliferate it using intrusive advertising and "bundling" methods. Intrusive ads redirect users to malicious websites and run scripts that download and install unwanted applications.

Note that "bundling" is stealth installation of third party apps with regular software. "Bundled" programs are usually hidden within "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other sections) of the download/installation processes. Furthermore, many users often click various advertisements and skip download/installation steps.

This behavior can lead to inadvertent installation of PUAs - users expose their systems to risk of various infections and compromise their privacy.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Lack of knowledge/careless behavior are the main reasons for computer infections. Caution is the key to safety. Therefore, pay close attention when browsing the internet and downloading/installing software. Select "Custom/Advanced" settings and carefully analyze each window of the download/installation dialogs.

This must be done to opt-out of additionally-included programs and cancel offers to download/install them. You are also advised to download programs from official sources, via direct download links. Developers monetize third party downloaders/installers using the "bundling" method, and thus these tools should never be used.

Furthermore, developers design intrusive ads to appear legitimate, however, most redirect to dubious websites, such as pornography, adult dating, gambling, and so on. They are often delivered via adware-type apps. If you encounter redirects, remove all dubious browser plug-ins and programs.

If your computer is already infected with Fast Maps App, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Website promoting Fast Maps App browser hijacker:

IMPORTANT NOTE! This deceptive site asks to enable web browser notifications.

Therefore, before commencing, perform these steps:

Google Chrome (PC):

• Click the Menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the screen
• Select "Settings", scroll down to the bottom and click "Advanced"
• Scroll down to the "Privacy and security" section, select "Content settings" and then "Notifications"
• Click three dots on the right hand side of each suspicious URL and click "Block" or "Remove" (if you click "Remove" and visit the malicious site once more, it will ask to enable notifications again)

Google Chrome (Android):

• Click on the Menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the screen and click "Settings"
• Scroll down, click on "Site settings" and then "Notifications"
• In the opened window, locate all suspicious URLs and click on them one-by-one
• Select "Notifications" in the "Permissions" section and click "Block"

Mozilla Firefox:

• Click the Menu button (three bars) on the right upper corner of the screen
• Select "Options" and click on "Privacy & Security" in the toolbar on the left hand side of the screen
• Scroll down to the "Permissions" section and click the "Settings" button next to "Notifications"
• In the opened window, locate all suspicious URLs, click the drop-down menu and select "Block"

Internet Explorer:

• Click the Gear button on the right upper corner of the IE window
• Select "Internet options"
• Select the "Privacy" tab and click "Settings" under "Pop-up Blocker" section
• Select suspicious URLs under and remove them one by one by clicking the "Remove" button

Microsoft Edge:

• Click the menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the Edge window
• Scroll down, find and click "Settings"
• Scroll down again and click "View advanced settings"
• Click "Manage" under "Notifications"
• Click the switch under each suspicious website

Safari:

• Click "Safari" button on the bottom of the screen and select "Preferences..."
• Select the "Websites" tab and then select "Notifications" section on the left pane
• Check for suspicious URLs and apply the "Deny" option for each

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Quick menu:

• What is search.hfastmapsapp.com?
• STEP 1. Uninstall Fast Maps App application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove search.hfastmapsapp.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove Fast Maps App browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove search.hfastmapsapp.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove search.hfastmapsapp.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

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

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

Fast Maps App 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.hfastmapsapp.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 "Fast Maps App".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the fast maps app 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 "Fast Maps App" 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 "Fast Maps App", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.hfastmapsapp.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.hfastmapsapp.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 fast maps app 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 "Fast Maps App" (or simply "Maps"), 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 "Fast Maps App" (or simply "Maps"), remove hxxp://search.hfastmapsapp.com 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 fast maps app 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 fast maps app 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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