How to remove TheSearchMaps browser hijacker

What is TheSearchMaps

TheSearchMaps is a malicious program created by cybercriminals to hijack the browser. This virus is also called browser hijacker because it changes system settings and promotes the fake search engine thesearchmaps.com as the browser home page.

TheSearchMaps virus triggers redirects every time users enter a query into a search engine. Also, virus displays a large number of advertisements, even if the browser tab is closed. Of course, this interferes with normal operation and destroys the functionality of the system. To prevent infection of the system, you need to get rid of TheSearchMaps browser hijacker.

How to Remove TheSearchMaps

1. Remove TheSearchMapsAutomatically
2. Remove TheSearchMaps From Programs and Features
3. Delete Rogue Programs From File Explorer
4. Remove TheSearchMaps Adware From Browsers
5. Delete TheSearchMaps Notifications
6. Get rid of TheSearchMaps pop-ups and notifications on Android
7. How to Protect Your PC From TheSearchMaps and Other Adware

Remove TheSearchMaps Automatically:

The easiest method to stop TheSearchMaps is to run an anti-malware program capable of detecting adware in general and TheSearchMaps in particular. SpyHunter is a powerful anti-malware solution that protects you against malware, spyware, ransomware and other types of Internet threats. SpyHunter is available for Windows and macOS devices.

DOWNLOAD SPYHUNTER

Other software that may be able to get rid of TheSearchMaps

Norton (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android) The link may not work correctly if your country is currently under sanctions.

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Note: After removing the adware you might still need to disable TheSearchMapsnotifications manually (see the step named Delete TheSearchMapsNotifications).

You can also try to remove TheSearchMaps by hand using the following instructions.

Remove TheSearchMaps browser hijacker From Programs and Features:

Go to Programs and Features, uninstall suspicious programs, programs you don’t remember installing, or programs you installed just before TheSearchMaps appeared on your browser for the first time. When you are not sure if a program is safe, look for the answer on the Internet.

Windows XP:

1. Click Start.
2. In the Start menu select Settings => Control Panel.
3. Find and click Add or Remove Programs.
4. Select the program.
5. Click Remove.

Windows Vista:

1. Click Start.
2. In the Start menu select Control Panel.
3. Find and click Uninstall a program.
4. Select the program.
5. Click Uninstall.

Windows 7:

1. Click Start.
2. In the Start menu select Control Panel.
3. Find and select Programs and Features or Uninstall a program.
4. Select the program.
5. Click Uninstall.

Windows 8 / Windows 8.1:

1. Press and hold Windows key and hit X key.
2. Select Programs and Features from the menu.
3. Select the program.
4. Click Uninstall.

Windows 10:

1. Press and hold Windows key and hit X key.
2. Select Programs and Features from the menu.
3. Select the program.
4. Click Uninstall.

Mac OS:

1. On the top menu select Go => Applications.
2. Drag an unwanted application to the Trash bin.
3. Right-click on the Trash and select Empty Trash.

Delete Rogue Programs From File Explorer:

This step is for experienced computer users. You might accidentally delete something you weren’t supposed to.
Sometimes malicious programs don’t show up in Programs and Features. Check also %ProgramFiles%, %ProgramFiles(x86)%, and especially %AppData% and %LocalAppData% (these are shortcuts; type or copy and paste them into the address bar of File Explorer). If you see folders with unfamiliar names, see what’s inside, google those names to find out if they belong to legitimate programs. Delete the ones that are obviously associated with malware. If you are not sure, back them up before deleting (copy to a different location, for example to a thumb drive).

Remove TheSearchMaps Adware From Browsers:

Remove any suspicious extensions or extension you don’t recognize from browsers.

Remove TheSearchMapsAdware from Google Chrome:

1. Click on three dots menu button at the top right corner of the window.
2. Select More tools ⇒ Extensions.
3. Click REMOVE to uninstall an extension.
4. Click Remove in the dialog box.

Remove TheSearchMapsAdware from Mozilla Firefox:

1. Click on menu button and select Add-ons.
2. Go to Extensions tab.
3. To uninstall an add-on, click on Remove button next to it.

Remove TheSearchMaps Adware from Internet Explorer:

1. Click Tools button in the top-right corner.
2. Select Manage add-ons.
3. In the drop-down menu under Show: select All add-ons.
4. To delete an add-on, double-click it; in the new window click Remove.

Remove TheSearchMapsAdware from Opera:

1. Press Ctrl +Shift + E keys to open extensions manager.
2. To remove an add-on, click on the x button next to it.
3. Click OK when asked to confirm.

Remove TheSearchMaps Adware from Safari:

1. On the top menu select Safari => Preferences.
2. Select Extensions tab.
3. Select an extension you want to delete and click Uninstall button next to it.

Delete TheSearchMapsNotifications:

Remove TheSearchMaps Notifications From Google Chrome:

1. Open chrome://settings/content/notifications (just copy this and paste into the address bar of Chrome).
2. Delete all rogue notifications by clicking three vertical dots button next to each and selecting Remove.

Remove TheSearchMapsNotifications From Mozilla Firefox:

1. Click on menu button and select Options.
2. Select Privacy & Security on the left side of the window.
3. Scroll down to Permissions section and click Settings… button next to Notifications.
4. Find sites you don’t want to see notifications from, click on drop-down menu next to each and select Block.
5. Click Save Changes button.

Get rid of TheSearchMapspop-ups and notifications on Android:

Disable TheSearchMaps notifications:

Note: Steps might differ a little depending on the version of your Android.

1. Tap Settings.
2. Select Apps & notifications => Apps.
3. Find and tap the browser that displaysVugibugi.info ads notifications.
4. Tap Notifications.
5. Find TheSearchMapsin the list and disable it.

Stop TheSearchMaps pop-ups:

If TheSearchMapsis opening on new tabs in your browser from time to time, that means you have adware. Most likely one on the apps you installed recently is causing these pop-ups. Uninstall recently installed and suspicious apps you have. Alternatively, use an antivirus to scan your device for malware.

Download SpyHunter

How to Protect Your PC From TheSearchMaps and Other Adware:

• Get a powerful anti-malware software, capable of detecting and eliminating PUPs. Having several on-demand scanners would be a good idea too.
• Keep Windows firewall enabled or get a third-party one.
• Keep your OS, browsers and security utilities updated. Malware creators find new browser and OS vulnerabilities to exploit all the time. Software writers, in turn, release patches and updates to get rid of the known vulnerabilities and lesser the chance of malware penetration. Antivirus program’s signature databases get updated every day and even more often to include new virus signatures.
• Adjust your browsers’ settings to block pop-ups and to load plug-ins only when clicked.
• Download and use uBlock Origin, Adblock or Adblock Plus browser extension/add-on to block third-party advertisements on web-sites.
• Don’t just click on any link you see while browsing the web. That applies particularly to links in comments, on forums, or in instant messengers. Pretty often these are spam links. Sometimes they are used for increasing the traffic to websites, but often enough they will land you on pages that will try to execute a malicious code and infect your computer. Links from your friends are suspect too: the person who shares a cute video might not know that the page contains threatening script.
• Don’t download software from unverified web-sites. You can easily download a trojan (malware that pretends to be a useful application); or some unwanted programs could get installed along with the app.
• When installing freeware or shareware, be sensible and don’t rush through the process. Choose Custom or Advanced installation mode, look for checkboxes that ask for your permission to install third-party apps and uncheck them, read End User License Agreement to make sure nothing else is going to get installed. You can make exceptions for the apps you know and trust, of course. If declining from installing unwanted programs is not possible, we advise you to cancel the installation completely.