What is TheMapsFinderSearch?
The experienced security researchers have determined that TheMapsFinderSearch is a PUP (potentially unwanted program) belonging to the family of Browser hijackers. A common tactic used by the developers behind PUPs is to alter browser’s settings such as newtab, search provider and homepage so that the hijacked web-browser goes to a website under the authors’ control. Use the steps below to remove TheMapsFinderSearch and protect you from other browser hijackers and PUPs.
The TheMapsFinderSearch hijacker will alter your internet browser’s search provider so that all searches are sent through feed.themapsfinder.com that redirects to Yahoo Search engine which displays the search results for your query. The makers of this hijacker are using legitimate search engine as they may make profit from the advertisements that are displayed in the search results.
Another reason why you need to remove TheMapsFinderSearch is its online data-tracking activity. It can collect privacy info, including:
- IP addresses;
- URLs visited;
- search queries/terms;
- clicks on links and ads;
- browser version information.
So, if you happen to encounter a browser hijacker or other such problem, then be quick and take effort to remove it as soon as possible. Follow the few simple steps below to uninstall TheMapsFinderSearch. Let us know how you managed by sending us your comments please.
How can a browser hijacker get on your device
Browser hijackers can be spread through the use of trojan horses and other forms of malicious software, but most commonly, browser hijackers such as TheMapsFinderSearch gets onto computers by being attached to certain free applications. Many creators of free software include additional applications in their installer. Sometimes it is possible to avoid the installation of any hijackers like TheMapsFinderSearch: carefully read the Terms of Use and the Software license, select only Manual, Custom or Advanced installation option, unset all checkboxes before clicking Install or Next button while installing new free programs.
Threat Summary
| Name | TheMapsFinderSearch |
| Type | browser hijacker, redirect virus, PUP, search provider hijacker, homepage hijacker |
| Associated domains | feed.themapsfinder.com, get.themapsfinder.com, install.themapsfinder.com, portal.themapsfinder.com |
| Affected Browser Settings | search engine, newtab page URL, startpage |
| Distribution | dubious popup advertisements, fake update tools, freeware setup files |
| Symptoms | Advertising pop ups won’t go away. When you go to a web-page, you are often re-directed to another web page that you do not intend to visit. There is an unwanted program in the ‘App & Features’ section of MS Windows settings. New internet browser add-ons suddenly installed on your web browser. Unwanted changes in your internet browser such as displaying new tabs you did not open. |
| Removal | TheMapsFinderSearch removal guide |
How to remove TheMapsFinderSearch browser hijacker
There are a few methods that can be used to delete TheMapsFinderSearch. But, not all potentially unwanted programs like this hijacker can be completely deleted utilizing only manual solutions. In most cases you are not able to uninstall any hijacker using built-in Microsoft Windows tools. In order to delete TheMapsFinderSearch you need complete a few manual steps and run free malware removal tools. Most cyber threat analysts states that Zemana Free, MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) or Hitman Pro tools are a right choice. These free programs are able to search for and get rid of TheMapsFinderSearch from your computers and return your web browser settings to defaults.
To remove TheMapsFinderSearch, use the following steps:
- How to manually remove TheMapsFinderSearch
- Automatic Removal of TheMapsFinderSearch
- How to stop TheMapsFinderSearch redirect
How to manually remove TheMapsFinderSearch
The useful removal guide for TheMapsFinderSearch. The detailed procedure can be followed by anyone as it really does take you step-by-step. If you follow this process to remove the browser hijacker let us know how you managed by sending us your comments please.
Uninstall questionable apps using MS Windows Control Panel
First, you should try to identify and remove the application that causes the appearance of annoying ads or browser redirect, using the ‘Uninstall a program’ which is located in the ‘Control panel’.
Windows 8, 8.1, 10
First, click Windows button
, then click Search 
. Type ‘Control panel’and press Enter as shown on the screen below.
After the ‘Control Panel’ opens, press the ‘Uninstall a program’ link under Programs category like below.
You will see the ‘Uninstall a program’ panel as on the image below.
Very carefully look around the entire list of programs installed on your computer. Most likely, one of them is the TheMapsFinderSearch hijacker. If you have many software installed, you can help simplify the search of malicious applications by sort the list by date of installation. Once you’ve found a suspicious, unwanted or unused application, right click to it, after that click ‘Uninstall’.
Windows XP, Vista, 7
First, click ‘Start’ button and select ‘Control Panel’ at right panel as displayed below.
Once the Windows ‘Control Panel’ opens, you need to click ‘Uninstall a program’ under ‘Programs’ as shown in the figure below.
You will see a list of applications installed on your PC system. We recommend to sort the list by date of installation to quickly find the software that were installed last. Most likely, it’s the TheMapsFinderSearch browser hijacker. If you are in doubt, you can always check the program by doing a search for her name in Google, Yahoo or Bing. When the program which you need to remove is found, simply press on its name, and then click ‘Uninstall’ as displayed in the figure below.
Get rid of TheMapsFinderSearch browser hijacker from IE
By resetting IE browser you revert back your web browser settings to its default state. This is first when troubleshooting problems that might have been caused by browser hijacker like TheMapsFinderSearch.
First, open the IE, click 
) button. Next, click “Internet Options” as shown in the figure below.
In the “Internet Options” screen select the Advanced tab. Next, press Reset button. The Internet Explorer will display the Reset Internet Explorer settings prompt. Select the “Delete personal settings” check box and click Reset button.
You will now need to reboot your PC system for the changes to take effect. It will remove TheMapsFinderSearch browser hijacker, disable malicious and ad-supported web-browser’s extensions and restore the IE’s settings such as start page, new tab and search provider by default to default state.
Remove TheMapsFinderSearch from Chrome
Resetting Chrome to original state is useful in uninstalling the TheMapsFinderSearch hijacker from your web browser. This method is always helpful to perform if you have trouble in removing changes caused by hijacker.
Open the Google Chrome menu by clicking on the button in the form of three horizontal dotes (
). It will open the drop-down menu. Select More Tools, then click Extensions.
Carefully browse through the list of installed extensions. If the list has the addon labeled with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following guide: Remove Google Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy otherwise, just go to the step below.
Open the Google Chrome main menu again, click to “Settings” option.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the “Advanced” link. Now scroll down until the Reset settings section is visible, such as the one below and click the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.
Confirm your action, click the “Reset” button.
Get rid of TheMapsFinderSearch from Firefox by resetting browser settings
Resetting Mozilla Firefox web browser will reset all the settings to their original state and will remove TheMapsFinderSearch, malicious add-ons and extensions. Your saved bookmarks, form auto-fill information and passwords won’t be cleared or changed.
Start the Mozilla Firefox and press the menu button (it looks like three stacked lines) at the top right of the web-browser screen. Next, click the question-mark icon at the bottom of the drop-down menu. It will display the slide-out menu.
Select the “Troubleshooting information”. If you are unable to access the Help menu, then type “about:support” in your address bar and press Enter. It bring up the “Troubleshooting Information” page as displayed below.
Click the “Refresh Firefox” button at the top right of the Troubleshooting Information page. Select “Refresh Firefox” in the confirmation prompt. The Firefox will start a procedure to fix your problems that caused by the TheMapsFinderSearch browser hijacker. After, it’s finished, click the “Finish” button.
Automatic Removal of TheMapsFinderSearch
Experienced security researchers have built efficient malware removal tools to help users in removing browser hijackers , adware and PUPs. Below we will share with you the best malware removal utilities with the ability to find and remove TheMapsFinderSearch and other PUPs.
How to delete TheMapsFinderSearch with Zemana Anti-Malware (ZAM)
If you need a free tool that can easily look for and delete TheMapsFinderSearch hijacker, then use Zemana. This is a very handy program, which is primarily designed to quickly scan for and delete adware software and malware hijacking web browsers and modifying their settings.
- Download Zemana Anti Malware (ZAM) from the link below. Save it on your MS Windows desktop or in any other place.
Zemana AntiMalware
164032 downloads
Author: Zemana Ltd
Category: Security tools
Update: July 16, 2019
- At the download page, click on the Download button. Your web browser will open the “Save as” prompt. Please save it onto your Windows desktop.
- When the downloading process is done, please close all applications and open windows on your computer. Next, run a file named Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup.
- This will launch the “Setup wizard” of Zemana onto your PC system. Follow the prompts and do not make any changes to default settings.
- When the Setup wizard has finished installing, the Zemana will launch and show the main window.
- Further, click the “Scan” button for checking your device for the TheMapsFinderSearch hijacker. A scan can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the count of files on your personal computer and the speed of your computer. While the tool is checking, you may see how many objects and files has already scanned.
- When the scan is finished, you can check all threats detected on your computer.
- Next, you need to press the “Next” button. The utility will begin to get rid of TheMapsFinderSearch browser hijacker. After that process is done, you may be prompted to restart the personal computer.
- Close the Zemana and continue with the next step.
Use Hitman Pro to get rid of TheMapsFinderSearch browser hijacker
If the TheMapsFinderSearch issue persists, use the Hitman Pro and scan if your web browser is affected by hijacker. The Hitman Pro is a downloadable security utility that provides on-demand scanning and helps remove adware software, PUPs, and other malicious software. It works with your existing antivirus.
Installing the HitmanPro is simple. First you’ll need to download Hitman Pro on your device by clicking on the link below.
Download and use Hitman Pro on your device. Once started, click “Next” button to scan for TheMapsFinderSearch browser hijacker. While the Hitman Pro is checking, you may see number of objects it has identified either as being malware..
When that process is finished, HitmanPro will open a screen that contains a list of malicious software that has been detected.
Make sure to check mark the items that are unsafe and then click Next button.
It will show a dialog box, click the “Activate free license” button to start the free 30 days trial to delete all malicious software found.
Use MalwareBytes Anti-Malware to remove TheMapsFinderSearch hijacker
You can delete TheMapsFinderSearch hijacker automatically with a help of MalwareBytes Anti Malware. We recommend this free malware removal tool because it can easily get rid of browser hijacker, adware software, potentially unwanted programs and toolbars with all their components such as files, folders and registry entries.
Click the link below to download MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM). Save it on your Desktop.
326384 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020
When the download is complete, close all windows on your device. Further, open the file named MBSetup. If the “User Account Control” prompt pops up as displayed on the screen below, press the “Yes” button.
It will show the Setup wizard which will allow you install MalwareBytes Free on the personal computer. Follow the prompts and do not make any changes to default settings.
Once setup is finished successfully, press “Get Started” button. Then MalwareBytes Free will automatically start and you can see its main window like below.
Next, click the “Scan” button . MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) program will scan through the whole computer for the TheMapsFinderSearch hijacker. When a malware, adware or potentially unwanted applications are found, the number of the security threats will change accordingly. Wait until the the checking is complete.
After MalwareBytes Anti-Malware has finished scanning your device, MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) will produce a list of unwanted software and hijacker. Review the scan results and then click “Quarantine” button.
The MalwareBytes will start to get rid of TheMapsFinderSearch browser hijacker. When the clean-up is finished, you can be prompted to restart your PC. We recommend you look at the following video, which completely explains the procedure of using the MalwareBytes Free to delete browser hijackers, adware and other malware.
How to stop TheMapsFinderSearch redirect
Use an ad blocker tool like AdGuard will protect you from harmful advertisements and content. Moreover, you can find that the AdGuard have an option to protect your privacy and block phishing and spam websites. Additionally, ad-blocking software will help you to avoid unwanted pop up advertisements and unverified links that also a good way to stay safe online.
- Download AdGuard on your computer from the following link.
Adguard download
26627 downloads
Version: 6.4
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: November 15, 2018
- After downloading is complete, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
- Once the installation is done, click “Skip” to close the install program and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial which will help you get to know AdGuard better.
- In most cases, the default settings are enough and you do not need to change anything. Each time, when you launch your device, AdGuard will launch automatically and stop unwanted advertisements, block TheMapsFinderSearch, as well as other malicious or misleading web sites. For an overview of all the features of the application, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the icon called AdGuard, that is located on your desktop.
Finish words
After completing the guidance shown above, your device should be clean from this hijacker and other malicious software. The Google Chrome, MS Edge, Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox will no longer open the TheMapsFinderSearch web-site on startup. Unfortunately, if the few simple steps does not help you, then you have caught a new browser hijacker, and then the best way – ask for help.
Please create a new question by using the “Ask Question” button in the Questions and Answers. Try to give us some details about your problems, so we can try to help you more accurately. Wait for one of our trained “Security Team” or Site Administrator to provide you with knowledgeable assistance tailored to your problem with the TheMapsFinderSearch hijacker.
