Quick Maps And Directions

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Quick Maps And Directions

Quick Maps And Directions is a browser hijacker application which can be downloaded for free from different freeware or shareware sites, torrent platforms or download links and which can impose unwanted changes to the homepage address, the search engine or to the toolbar of yoru browser. It also distributes itself in a bundle with some other attractive and free programs or browser add-ons. That’s why it is perfectly possible that you may accidentally get it installed on your system along with something that you download from the Internet, especially if you skip the custom or the advanced setup configuration.

The uninstallation of Quick Maps And Directions, however, is a bit tricky and may require some explanation. As a typical browser hijacker, the application attaches itself to the main browser on the system (it doesn’t really make a difference if you are using a secure browser like Chrome, Firefox, Explorer, Safari or another one) and starts to use its screen as a platform for aggressive generation of various sponsored ads, pay-per-click links, pop-up offers, banners and similar promotional content. Most users who are inexperienced or have never had a close encounter with this type of software before may initially mistake it for a virus because the application typically places some changes to the main search engine or to the homepage of the browser and installs some new toolbars or toolbar buttons. Some may even think that they are under the attack of a dangerous ad-generating and page-redirecting malware, which is probably trying to trick them into clicking on Ransomware or Trojan Horse transmitters. If you are one of those users who don’t know what is happening with their computer, we should tell you that you are dealing with a somewhat harmless piece of software which should be incapable of causing any serious damage to your PC. Still, if Quick Maps And Directions is causing you trouble and you want to remove the changes that it has imposed on your favorite browser, in the next lines, you will find a detailed removal guide which explains the steps you need to take in order to uninstall this browser hijacker and permanently save yourself from its disturbances.

Can Quick Maps And Directions expose my PC to danger?

The aggressive advertising approach which most browser hijackers may implement may really frustrate and even panic the users who have never had a close encounter with such software before. After all, it is not easy to ignore the constant ad-interruptions, the automatic page-redirects, the sudden pop-ups and the potentially unwanted changes which may take place inside your favorite browser without any approval from your side. That’s why it is not surprising that you may start to question the behavior of Quick Maps And Directions and the way it is affecting your web surfing experience. Luckily, unlike real threats from the ranks of Spyware, Trojans or Ransomware, which are specifically created to harm your system, the browser hijackers aren’t aimed at corrupting your personal files, stealing your passwords or harassing you. They operate as advertising tools, which simply try to promote some sponsored third-party content on your screen by purposely redirecting you to certain pay-per-click links and offers. According to the law, there is usually nothing criminal in the way applications like Quick Maps And Directions function and thus, many online-based businesses rely on such applications to generate traffic and better exposure to their websites, products and services. Still, in many cases, there is no way to stop the invasive advertising activity which is why the uninstallation of the hijacker is usually the only effective way to remove the nagging ads and bring your preferred browser settings back. 

SUMMARY:

Name	Quick Maps And Directions
Type	Browser Hijacker
Danger Level	Medium (nowhere near threats like Ransomware, but still a security risk)
Symptoms	A change in the main homepage or the search engine can easily give the browser hijacker away.
Distribution Method	You may install this software in a bundle with other free applications, automatic installers, program updates and add-ons.
Detection Tool	Some threats of this type reinstall themselves repeatedly if you don't delete their core files. We recommend downloading SpyHunter to scan for malicious programs. This may save you hours and cut down your time to about 15 minutes. Download SpyHunter Anti-Malware OFFER More information on SpyHunter, steps to uninstall, EULA, Threat Assessment Criteria, and Privacy Policy.

Remove Quick Maps And Directions

If you have a Windows virus, continue with the guide below.

If you have a Mac virus, please use our How to remove Ads on Mac guide.

If you have an Android virus, please use our Android Malware Removal guide.

If you have an iPhone virus, please use our iPhone Virus Removal guide

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Some of the steps will likely require you to exit the page. Bookmark it for later reference.

Reboot in Safe Mode (use this guide if you don’t know how to do it).

WARNING! READ CAREFULLY BEFORE PROCEEDING!

Press CTRL + SHIFT + ESC at the same time and go to the Processes Tab (the “Details” Tab on Win 8 and 10). Try to determine which processes are dangerous. 

Right click on each of them and select Open File Location. Then scan the files with our free online virus scanner:

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After you open their folder, end the processes that are infected, then delete their folders. 

Note: If you are sure something is part of the infection – delete it, even if the scanner doesn’t flag it. No anti-virus program can detect all infections. 

Hold together the Start Key and R. Type appwiz.cpl –> OK.

You are now in the Control Panel. Look for suspicious entries. Uninstall it/them.

Type msconfig in the search field and hit enter. A window will pop-up:

Startup —> Uncheck entries that have “Unknown” as Manufacturer or otherwise look suspicious.

Hold the Start Key and R –  copy + paste the following and click OK:

notepad %windir%/system32/Drivers/etc/hosts

A new file will open. If you are hacked, there will be a bunch of other IPs connected to you at the bottom. Look at the image below:

If there are suspicious IPs below “Localhost” – write to us in the comments.

Open the start menu and search for Network Connections (On Windows 10 you just write it after clicking the Windows button), press enter.

1. Right-click on the Network Adapter you are using —> Properties —> Internet Protocol Version 4 (ICP/IP), click  Properties.
2. The DNS line should be set to Obtain DNS server automatically. If it is not, set it yourself.
3. Click on Advanced —> the DNS tab. Remove everything here (if there is something) —> OK.

• After you complete this step, the threat will be gone from your browsers. Finish the next step as well or it may reappear on a system reboot.

Right click on the browser’s shortcut —> Properties.

NOTE: We are showing Google Chrome, but you can do this for Firefox and IE (or Edge).

Properties —–> Shortcut. In Target, remove everything after .exe.

  Remove Quick Maps And Directions from Internet Explorer:

Open IE, click   —–> Manage Add-ons.

Find the threat —> Disable. Go to  —–> Internet Options —> change the URL to whatever you use (if hijacked) —> Apply.

 Remove Quick Maps And Directions from Firefox:

Open Firefox, click    ——-> Add-ons —-> Extensions.

Find the adware/malware —> Remove.
Remove Quick Maps And Directions from Chrome:

Close Chrome. Navigate to:

 C:/Users/!!!!USER NAME!!!!/AppData/Local/Google/Chrome/User Data. There is a Folder called “Default” inside:

Rename it to Backup Default. Restart Chrome.

Type Regedit in the windows search field and press Enter.

Inside, press CTRL and F together and type the threat’s Name. Right click and delete any entries you find with a similar name. If they don’t show up this way, go manually to these directories and delete/uninstall them:

• HKEY_CURRENT_USER—-Software—–Random Directory. It could be any one of them – ask us if you can’t discern which ones are malicious.
  HKEY_CURRENT_USER—-Software—Microsoft—-Windows—CurrentVersion—Run– Random
  HKEY_CURRENT_USER—-Software—Microsoft—Internet Explorer—-Main—- Random

If the guide doesn’t help, download the anti-virus program we recommended or try our free online virus scanner. Also, you can always ask us in the comments for help!