Search.getmaps.co

There is no need to install Search.getmaps.co if you want to access Google Maps, Mapquest, Bing Maps or any other website where you can plan the route for your trip. In fact, you could reach these sites much faster without this application if you simply made one of them as your homepage or added it to your bookmarks. Search.getmaps.co is yet another browser hijacker that pretends to offer you unique features, but in reality, it brings you a doubtful search tool that could change your browser settings or search results by placing suspicious ads, sponsored links, and so on. Naturally, we would recommend you delete this bothersome application as it might bring you harm given some time. To make it easy for you, our researchers prepared a step by step instruction that you will find at the end of the article.

When we checked the official application’s website, it became clear to us why users allow it to be installed on their computers. As you open the website, you see a pop-up in the background of a map. The pop-up says: “Get Driving Directions & Maps – FREE!” and it displays two lines called A and B where you are supposed to enter your starting location and destination, so it seems like a normal tool that gives directions. However, it is impossible to check how this tool works because if you click anywhere on the pop-up, you will be asked to download the software. If you want to install the software you have to allow it to change your browser settings and agree to all the terms and conditions provided in the setup wizard. Unfortunately, when the installation is complete, it becomes obvious that this program has a very different appearance from the one that was shown on getmaps.co.

This browser hijacker looks like any search engine as it has a search bar in the middle and a few links that redirect you to Google maps and the other pages alike. Naturally, it affects your main browser if you use the Internet Explorer, Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. As for other browsers, our researchers did not notice any effect on them. The application changes your homepage, new tab page and search engine into Search.getmaps.co or Home.getmaps.co. If you use this search engine, you might notice suspicious ads displayed in the results that could suggest you more questionable software, such as potentially unwanted programs, adware, or another browser hijacker. It means that you could install other potentially harmful applications without realizing it. Therefore, it would be better to change your search engine and choose a website that is well-known and trustworthy, but to do that you have to remove Search.getmaps.co from your system.

On the other hand, it is possible that you already had a browser hijacker on your computer. As our researchers inform us, the application could be spread through pop-ups that show up on modified search results. If you think this might be the case for you, we would recommend you installing a reliable security tool and use it to find all the unwanted programs at once. If you successfully remove them all, you can change your browser preferences and search the Internet safely again.

As you probably already know, there are many reliable tools you could use to get the directions without any installation and most of them are completely free. Clearly, we would advise you to use them instead because Search.getmaps.co is a browser hijacker and such software cannot be trusted. If you decide to delete the application, you should take a look at the removal instructions available below the text. To eliminate this program manually, you will have to find particular files or Windows Registry keys and erase them. The process is different for all of the browsers, so pick the removal steps accordingly. If you think that there might be other browser hijackers or unwanted programs installed, you can try to locate and erase them yourself or download an antimalware tool that will do this task for you. When the hijacker is completely deleted, you can change your search engine, homepage, etc. to the one you prefer. If you have any questions about this hijacker, you can leave us a comment here.

Remove Search.getmaps.co from browsers

Google Chrome

1. Navigate to: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default
2. Find listed files: Preferences, Secure Preferences, Web Data.
3. Right-click these files separately and select Delete.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Locate the following path: C:\Users\user\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{Unique Mozilla user ID}
2. Locate file named as Prefs.js and open it with Notepad.
3. Find and delete this line: user_pref("browser.startup.homepage", "http://search.getmaps.co/").

Internet Explorer

1. Press Win+R, type regedit and click OK.
2. Locate given path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
3. Find Value Name “Start Page” on the right side.
4. Right-click “Start Page” and select Modify.
5. Replace Value Data with the page you prefer, e.g. google.com.
6. Click OK.