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MapsGalaxy is a suspicious browser add-on created by Mindspark Interactive which changes the browser’s homepage and forces to use Ask.com search engine. The extension for the most popular web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer) is advertised as a handy tool to get maps, directions and web search at once, however, it can hardly benefit you more than a simple search engine like Google can do.
After installation of this browser extension, all your searches will be routed to int.search.myway.com, which delivers customized, or in other words, altered search results by Google. These results might contain more ads than usual.
Some computer security experts classify Maps Galaxy Toolbar as a browser hijacker since it alters settings that typical browser hijackers aim at. In general, browser add-ons like this one is hardly useful and can silently collect data about you as a user, including your interests, search queries and browsing history. What is more, this extension has only 1 out of 5 starts rating by users on TrustPilot.
It goes without saying that it is better to get rid of such extras without any regrets. Therefore, if you’re interested in ways to remove MapsGalaxy add-on and related components, see the tutorial provided below.
If you accidentally added Maps & Directions, you probably do not know what privileges this sneaky hijacker has on your browser. Below, you can see the full list of them.
The list isn’t really friendly-looking, and it just feels that the MapsGalaxy by MW extension is meant to collect certain data about the user for certain purposes. Therefore, we decided to dig deeper and check the extension developer’s privacy policy and terms of use documents for further information.
It turns out that extension tracks keyword queries, search results you click, pages you view and search history. It also finds out what software is installed on your computer and devices connected to it, your IP address and even more.
The data may be shared with third parties to deliver you ads, but if you do not want to be the one receiving personalized promotional material, it might be time to start thinking about MapsGalaxy removal.
Do not get confused; MapsGalaxy virus is a fake label to scare you into thinking your computer is heavily infected. The add-on isn’t a potentially dangerous program, but rather an annoyance meant to customize and deliver ads.
Browser extensions like MapsGalaxy or Transit Maps Directions try to push the computer user towards certain search engines and force them to use their services. In parallel, the extension tracks user’s usage information and creates sort-of potential client profile, which consists of the user’s interests, demographic location, and similar data.
Similar data sets along with unique user ID can be used or passed to third-parties with an intention to deliver customized ads. Consequently, this increases chances of making sales, which benefits both creators of such extensions and third-parties.
It is not a harmful or somehow evil technique and it is widely used these days. The more important question is, do you want to keep hardly useful extensions in your browsers or not. They might slow down your computer a little bit, and cause annoyances such as pop-up notifications from various sites.
When speaking about distribution of extensions like Maps Galaxy, they are mostly delivered in a bundle of other freeware, although they can be accessed via official websites or browser stores such as Google Chrome store.
In our personal experience, the extension suggested installing yet another extension called Search Extension by Ask following Maps Galaxy installation.
In general, you should be careful when installing third-party software or extras like extensions. They often tend to promote similar add-ons, and installing too many can overload and cause browser performance issues. Therefore, it’s best to uninstall MapsGalaxy and related add-ons.
MapsGalaxy removal is an easy process since the program isn’t malicious and doesn’t root into the system deeply. You can uninstall it from your browser easily. Just like any other potentially unwanted program (PUP), you can remove it with the help of an anti-spyware or anti-malware program, or even your antivirus.
In case you want to delete the unwanted extension manually, carry out the below-explained steps to enjoy a browser-hijacker-free browsing experience without unwanted redirections.
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MapsGalaxy Removal Tutorial
To remove the unwanted program from your computer, use these instructions below to uninstall associated programs or apps from your Windows or Mac computer. Then scroll down for instructions how to clean each affected web browser individually.
Windows 10/8.1/8 users
Click on the Windows logo to open Windows menu. In search, type control panel and select the matching result. Then go to Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users
First, open Windows menu by clicking on the icon in the lower left corner of the screen. Then go to Control Panel and find section called Programs. Click on the Uninstall a program option under it.
Windows XP users
In Windows XP, click Start > Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs.
Uninstall unwanted programs
Once in Programs and Features, look through the list of installed programs. You can click on Installed on tab to sort the programs by their installation date.
Right-click on suspicious programs you can't remember installing and choose Uninstall. Follow instructions provided by the Uninstall Wizard, click Next and finally Finish to uninstall the unwanted program from your PC.
Remove MapsGalaxy from Mac
Remove using INTEGO ANTIVIRUS for Mac (includes scanning for iOS devices). The one-of-a-kind security suite provides VirusBarrier X9 real-time protection against Mac and Windows-based malware, removes existing threats and scans for malware in popular e-mail clients. Includes NetBarrier X9, an intelligent firewall for home, work and public connections.
Remove MapsGalaxy from Google Chrome
Remove suspicious Chrome extensions
Change Start Page settings
Change default search settings
Remove push notifications from Chrome
If you want to get rid of the annoying ads and so-called push-notifications viruses, you must identify their components and clean your browser. You can easily remove ads from Chrome by following these steps:
Reset Google Chrome browser
Remove MapsGalaxy from Mozilla Firefox
Remove unwanted add-ons from Firefox
Change Firefox Homepage
Alter preferences in Firefox
Remove annoying push notifications from Firefox
Suspicious sites that ask to enable push notifications gain access to Mozilla's settings and can deliver intrusive advertisements when browsing the Internet. Therefore, you should remove access to your browser by following these simple steps:
Reset Mozilla Firefox
Remove MapsGalaxy from Microsoft Edge
Remove suspicious extensions:
Change MS Edge Start Page and default search engine:
Turn off push notifications in Edge
If you keep receiving pop-up ads or other promotional content while browsing on Microsoft Edge, your browser might be corrupted by a potentially unwanted program (PUP). You have to clean it — follow these easy instructions:
Clear browsing data
Remove MapsGalaxy from Safari
Uninstall suspicious Safari extensions
Change Safari Homepage and default search engine
Remove push notifications on Safari
Some suspicious websites can try to corrupt your Safari by asking to enable push notifications. If you have accidentally agreed, your browser will be flooded with various intrusive advertisements and pop-ups. You can get rid of them by following this quick guide:
Reset Safari
Remove MapsGalaxy from Internet Explorer
TIP: If you are still using IE, we strongly advise using Microsoft Edge or a different browser because Microsoft is no longer providing technical or security support for IE browser.
Remove suspicious extensions from IE
Change default search provider and remove suspicious ones
Change IE Home Page
Block pop-up notifications on Internet Explorer
Suspicious websites can gain access to your Internet Explorer browser through push notifications. If you enable them even by accident, you will start receiving numerous annoying ads and other advertising content while browsing. The easiest way to remove push-notification viruses is by performing the following steps:
Reset Internet Explorer
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Norbert Webb is the head of Geek’s Advice team. He is the chief editor of the website who controls the quality of content published. The man also loves reading cybersecurity news, testing new software and sharing his insights on them. Norbert says that following his passion for information technology was one of the best decisions he has ever made. “I don’t feel like working while I’m doing something I love.” However, the geek has other interests, such as snowboarding and traveling.
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View Comments
Thanks so much. My mum installed mapsgalaxy and I couldn't find all of its components on her mac. This guide was clear and easy to follow. God bless you guys!