How to uninstall Get Quick Directions
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Get Quick Directions?
Get Quick Directions is browser hijacker which promotes getquickdirections.com (the address of a fake search engine) by modifying certain browser settings. It might also track and record various data. Generally, people download and install apps of this type inadvertently and, therefore, they are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).
As its name suggests, Get Quick Directions supposedly provides quick access to driving directions, traffic updates and satellite maps, however, the main purpose of this browser hijacker is to change the address of the homepage, new tab and default search engine to getquickdirections.com so that users are forced to visit this address when they open a browser, new tab, or enter search queries into the URL bar.
In this way, Get Quick Directions promote a fake search engine. It is classified as fake, since it does not generate unique, results. When used, it simply redirects to search.yahoo.com (displays results generated by Yahoo). In most cases, apps such as Get Quick Directions do not allow users to remove the bogus address from browser settings unless the app is uninstalled.
In this case, getquickdirections.com can be stopped from being opened on the aforementioned occasions only when Get Quick Directions app is no longer installed on the browser. As mentioned, browser hijackers can record data.
They usually target browsing data such as entered search queries, addresses of visited pages, IP addresses, and geolocations, however, some browser hijackers are capable of accessing sensitive information/data as well. The developers misuse the information to generate revenue.
For example, by selling it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) or in other ways. People with browsers hijacked by these apps can experience problems relating to online privacy, browsing safety, and they might even become victims of identity theft. Therefore, do not trust, download, or install Get Quick Directions or other apps that are classified as browser hijackers.
Name | Get Quick Directions |
Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab. |
Browser Extension(s) | Get Quick Directions |
Supposed Functionality | This app supposedly provides quick access to directions, traffic updates and satellite maps. |
Promoted URL | getquickdirections.com |
Serving IP Address (getquickdirections.com) | 104.24.96.36 |
Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine. |
Symptoms | Manipulated internet browser settings (homepage, default internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit the 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 browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites. |
Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Some examples of other apps that are classified as browser hijackers include Maps Pro Hub, Watch Sports Here and PDF Opener.
They supposedly include various features, improve the browsing experience, etc,, however, in most cases, they are useless and can cause serious problems. If browser hijackers are installed on the browser and/or operating system, remove them immediately.
How did Get Quick Directions install on my computer?
One of the most common ways to distribute PUAs is by including them into the download and/or installation set-ups of other, mostly free, programs. This distribution method is known as "bundling". Typically, PUAs are listed as 'additional offers' in "Custom", "Advanced" or other settings.
Many people download and install their programs without checking and changing these settings, thereby agreeing by default with offers to download or install additionally-included apps. Unwanted downloads and installations can also be caused by clicking deceptive ads, which execute certain scripts, and through deceptive installers.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
You are advised to download all software only from official, trustworthy websites and through direct links. Other channels such as third party downloaders (and installers), Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule), unofficial websites, free file hosting pages, etc., should not be trusted, since they are used to distribute PUAs and malicious programs.
Check "Advanced", "Custom" and other settings of the download and installation setup and decline offers to download or install unwanted software before finishing the process. Do not click intrusive ads that appear on untrusted, dubious web pages, since they can open potentially malicious websites or even cause download/installation of PUAs.
Remove any applications (extensions, add-ons, plug-ins) installed on the browser. Also remove software of this kind that is installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with Get Quick Directions, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Notification stating that Get Quick Directions can read and change certain data:
Website promoting Get Quick Directions browser hijacker (Firefox):
Website promoting Get Quick Directions browser hijacker (Chrome):
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 set the toggle button to "OFF"
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 "Website permissions"
- Click the switch under each suspicious website
Safari (Mac):
- Click "Safari" button on the left upper corner 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 Get Quick Directions?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Get Quick Directions application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove getquickdirections.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove Get Quick Directions browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove getquickdirections.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove getquickdirections.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Get Quick Directions 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 Quick Directions"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications that cause browser redirects to the getquickdirections.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Get Quick Directions 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://getquickdirections.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 "Get Quick Directions".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the getquickdirections.com redirect, 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 Quick Directions" 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 "Get Quick Directions", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.getquickdirections.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 "getquickdirections.com", 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 getquickdirections.com redirect, 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 Quick Directions", 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 "Get Quick Directions", remove hxxp://getquickdirections.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: "extensionControlled"
Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the button.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with getquickdirections.com redirect 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 getquickdirections.com redirect, 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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