Search.hgomaps.co Redirect

What is search.hgomaps.co?

The search.hgomaps.co website is categorized as a fake search engine. Developers claim that it enhances the browsing experience, provides faster searches, improved search results, and so on.

Judging on appearance alone, this site may seem legitimate, however, developers promote it through a potentially unwanted application (PUA) called Go Maps, which is categorized as a browser hijacker. Generally, people install these applications accidentally, without their knowledge.

When installed, browser hijackers adjust browser settings and, together with associated fake search engines (in this case, search.hgomaps.co), gather data relating to users' browsing habits.

Most browser hijackers can be installed on popular browsers such as Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Internet Explorer. When installed, Go Maps assigns settings such as the default search engine, homepage, and new tab URL address to search.hgomaps.co. Additionally, Go Maps prevents users from reverting these changes.

Therefore, users are forced to visit search.hgomaps.co when a browser or new tab is opened, or a search query is entered into the URL bar. This can be avoided only if Go Maps is uninstalled. Furthermore, the search.hgomaps.co search engine redirects users to search.yahoo.com (a legitimate search engine created by Yahoo).

Therefore, it simply displays results generated by Yahoo, thus making search.hgomaps.co a useless search engine. Another problem is that Maps Go and search.hgomaps.co collect browsing-related data including entered search-queries, IP addresses, geo-locations, URLs of visited websites, and so on.

Note that some browser hijackers/fake search engines also record personal, sensitive details. Typically, developers share the data with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue.

Therefore, having PUAs installed can lead to a number of problems (privacy/browsing safety issues, or even identity theft). For these reasons, we recommend that you uninstall Go Maps and avoid using dubious search engines .

Threat Summary:

Name	Go Maps 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). Users 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), display 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.

This fake search engine is very similar to many others of this type such as search.hprimesports.co, search.searchipdf.com, and search.htheweathercenter.org.

These sites are presented as legitimate and useful, however, developers promote them in this way to give the impression of legitimacy and trick people into using them. In fact, fake search engines mostly cause problems rather than providing any real value.

How did Go Maps install on my computer?

A website can be used to download Go Maps, however, most users download and install PUAs inadvertently by clicking intrusive (deceptive) advertisements or when software developers trick them. To achieve this they use a deceptive marketing method called "bundling".

Developers bundle (hide) PUAs in "Custom", "Advanced" and other parts of the software download/installation set-ups. Despite this, unwanted installations can be avoided, since they occur only when people download and install software without paying attention to details within the set-ups and leave all available settings unchanged.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Be cautious when browsing the internet, downloading, and installing software. Avoid using third party software downloaders, installers, Peer-to-Peer networks such as torrent client and eMule, unofficial websites, and other similar channels to download software. Bear in mind that many third party downloaders are monetized by promoting unwanted apps.

Use only official sources (websites) and direct links. When installing software, check "Custom", "Advanced", and other similar options and deselect offers to install or download unwanted software or extra offers.

Avoid clicking intrusive ads, even if they seem legitimate - many redirect users to malicious (or other unwanted) websites such as gambling, pornography, adult dating, and so on. If you experience unwanted ads or random redirects, check your browser for unwanted extensions, add-ons, and plug-ins, and programs on your computer.

Remove any suspicious/unwanted entries immediately. If your computer is already infected with Go Maps, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Website promoting Go Maps 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 search.hgomaps.co?
• STEP 1. Uninstall Go Maps application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove search.hgomaps.co redirect from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove Go Maps browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove search.hgomaps.co homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove search.hgomaps.co redirect from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

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

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

Go Maps 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.hgomaps.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 "Go Maps".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the go maps 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 "Go Maps" 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 "Go Maps", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.hgomaps.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 "search.hgomaps.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 go maps 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 "Go Maps" (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 "Go Maps" (or simply "Maps") remove hxxp://search.hgomaps.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 go maps 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 go maps 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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