Remove Maps and Directions Extension

Can’t Remove Maps and Directions hijacker virus? This page includes detailed Maps and Directions Removal instructions!

Maps and Directions is the name of a malicious hijacker. It promises usefulness, but brings nothing but unpleasantness your way. As the name lets on, the tool offers you help with navigation. It provides access to maps. And, gives you directions through the best possible routes, you can take. And, that is, in fact, wonderful. If a program can ease your commute, that’s great! Well, the thing is, Maps and Directions doesn’t do that. It makes grand promises of assistance, but falls short on each one. Despite its claims, it’s nothing more than an infection. And, it’s hazardous. The application is harmful, deceitful, and a nightmare on your PC. It uses trickery to invade. Then, once inside, corruption ensues. The program throws your system into disarray. It floods your screen with advertisements. It redirects you to a myriad of suspicious pages. It turns your browsing experience into an utter nightmare. With the hijacker on your PC, you can’t make a single move without facing interference. That’s not only obnoxious, it has consequences. Due to the endless disruption, your system starts to suffer frequent crashes. Your computer’s performance slows down to a crawl, as well. It’s a mess. And, it only worsens with time. Don’t stand by as your predicament escalates. Do what’s best for you, and your system, and act ASAP.

How did I get infected with?

How do you think the Maps and Directions tool got into your PC? How do you imagine, it managed to access your system? Well, it’s because of you. Let’s explain. The hijacker can’t enter without your permission. It has to ask if you agree to its installment. Only if you do, can it proceed with the process. So, do you remember giving it the green light? Well you did. It’s no surprise you have no memory of the exchange. But it did take place. Only not as straightforward as you may imagine. The hijacker is NOT overt with its advances. It’s quite the opposite. It does ask for your approval, but it does it in the most covert manner possible. It resorts to freeware, spam emails, corrupted links. It can even pose as a fake update. Like, Java or Adobe Flash Player. There’s an entire array of sneaky methods, it can turn to invade your PC, undetected. But it’s still up to you to give it the green light. You have to be the one to say YES. If you’re thorough enough, you can catch it in the act, and deny it entry. Remember, infections prey on carelessness. So, don’t provide it. Don’t rush, or rely on luck. Don’t give into gullibility. Do your due diligence. And, always choose caution over carelessness.

Why is this dangerous?

The Maps and Directions program is a nightmare on your PC. But it doesn’t only threaten your system’s well-being. The application jeopardizes your private life. Here’s the thing. The hijacker follows instruction to spy on you. Its espionage begins, as soon as it invades. Upon infiltration, it starts to keep track of your browsing. Every online move you make, it knows about. Furthermore, it has record of. That’s right. The tool doesn’t only observe your activities, but records them, as well. And, after it deems it has collected enough information from you, it sends it. Oh, yes! The infection sends the stolen data to the third parties that published it. Unknown individuals with questionable intention. Not the type of people, you want to have access to your sensitive details. Don’t you agree? Don’t allow that scenario to unfold! Protect your personal and financial information from getting stolen. Only to, then, get exposed to strangers with agendas. As soon as you become aware of the hijacker’s existence, act towards its prompt removal. Locate where it lurks. And, delete it. The sooner it’s gone, the better. You’ll see.

How to Remove Maps and Directions virus

The Maps and Directions infection is specifically designed to make money to its creators one way or another. The specialists from various antivirus companies like Bitdefender, Kaspersky, Norton, Avast, ESET, etc. advise that there is no harmless virus.

If you perform exactly the steps below you should be able to remove the Maps and Directions infection. Please, follow the procedures in the exact order. Please, consider to print this guide or have another computer at your disposal. You will NOT need any USB sticks or CDs.

STEP 1: Track down Maps and Directions related processes in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate Maps and Directions startup location

STEP 3: Delete Maps and Directions traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

STEP 1: Track down Maps and Directions related processes in the computer memory

• Open your Task Manager by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ESC keys simultaneously
• Carefully review all processes and stop the suspicious ones.

• Write down the file location for later reference.

Step 2: Locate Maps and Directions startup location

Reveal Hidden Files

• Open any folder
• Click on “Organize” button
  
• Choose “Folder and Search Options”
• Select the “View” tab
• Select “Show hidden files and folders” option
• Uncheck “Hide protected operating system files”
• Click “Apply” and “OK” button

Clean Maps and Directions virus from the windows registry

• Once the operating system loads press simultaneously the Windows Logo Button and the R key.

• A dialog box should open. Type “Regedit”

• WARNING! be very careful when editing the Microsoft Windows Registry as this may render the system broken.

Depending on your OS (x86 or x64) navigate to:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]

• and delete the display Name: [RANDOM]

• Then open your explorer and navigate to: %appdata% folder and delete the malicious executable.

Clean your HOSTS file to avoid unwanted browser redirection

Navigate to %windir%/system32/Drivers/etc/host

If you are hacked, there will be foreign IPs addresses connected to you at the bottom. Take a look below:

STEP 3 : Clean Maps and Directions traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

• Open Google Chrome

• In the Main Menu, select Tools then Extensions
• Remove the Maps and Directions by clicking on the little recycle bin
• Reset Google Chrome by Deleting the current user to make sure nothing is left behind

• Open Mozilla Firefox

• Press simultaneously Ctrl+Shift+A
• Disable the unwanted Extension
• Go to Help
• Then Troubleshoot information
• Click on Reset Firefox

• Open Internet Explorer

• On the Upper Right Corner Click on the Gear Icon
• Click on Internet options
• go to Toolbars and Extensions and disable the unknown extensions
• Select the Advanced tab and click on Reset

• Restart Internet Explorer

Step 4: Undo the damage done by Maps and Directions

This particular Virus may alter your DNS settings.

Attention! this can break your internet connection. Before you change your DNS settings to use Google Public DNS for Maps and Directions, be sure to write down the current server addresses on a piece of paper.

To fix the damage done by the virus you need to do the following.

• Click the Windows Start button to open the Start Menu, type control panel in the search box and select Control Panel in the results displayed above.
• go to Network and Internet
• then Network and Sharing Center
• then Change Adapter Settings
• Right-click on your active internet connection and click properties. Under the Networking tab, find Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). Left click on it and then click on properties. Both options should be automatic! By default it should be set to “Obtain an IP address automatically” and the second one to “Obtain DNS server address automatically!” If they are not just change them, however if you are part of a domain network you should contact your Domain Administrator to set these settings, otherwise the internet connection will break!!!

You must clean all your browser shortcuts as well. To do that you need to

• Right click on the shortcut of your favorite browser and then select properties.

• in the target field remove Maps and Directions argument and then apply the changes.
• Repeat that with the shortcuts of your other browsers.
• Check your scheduled tasks to make sure the virus will not download itself again.

How to Permanently Remove Maps and Directions Virus (automatic) Removal Guide

Please, have in mind that once you are infected with a single virus, it compromises your whole system or network and let all doors wide open for many other infections. To make sure manual removal is successful, we recommend to use a free scanner of any professional antimalware program to identify possible registry leftovers or temporary files.