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How to uninstall Maps & Directions by QuestForDirections

Also Known As: srchbar.com redirect
Damage level: Medium

What is Maps & Directions by QuestForDirections?

Maps & Directions by QuestForDirections is a browser hijacker designed to promote srchbar.com (a fake search engine) by modifying browser settings. It is very likely that this app also operates as an information tracking tool.

Few users download and install browser hijackers intentionally and, therefore, apps of this type are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

Maps & Directions by QuestForDirections opens search.yahoo.com via srchbar.com

After installation, Maps & Directions by QuestForDirections assigns browser settings such as the address of the homepage, default search engine and new tab to srchbar.com, which is is the address of a fake search engine that does not generate any unique results.

If used, it simply provides results generated by Bing or Yahoo (it redirects people to search.yahoo.com or bing.com). Like most browser hijackers, Maps & Directions by QuestForDirections forces users to visit fake search engines when they open a browser, new tab or enter queries into the URL bar.

In most cases, the only way to remove the address of the fake search engine from browser settings is to uninstall the browser hijacker (in this case, Maps & Directions by QuestForDirections).

This is not the only reason to uninstall these apps. Browser hijackers often gather information including, for example, entered search queries, addresses of visited pages, IP addresses, geolocations, and other browsing data. Some can record personal, sensitive details.

Furthermore, the developers sell the data to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue in other ways.

In summary, these apps can cause problems relating to browsing safety, online privacy and even identity theft. Therefore, browser hijackers should never be downloaded or installed. If Maps & Directions by QuestForDirections or other PUAs are installed on the browser or computer, remove them immediately.

Threat Summary:
Name Maps & Directions by QuestForDirections
Threat Type Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab.
Browser Extension(s) Maps & Directions by QuestForDirections
Supposed Functionality This browser hijacker supposedly provides quick access to maps and directions.
Promoted URL srchbar.com
Detection Names (srchbar.com) DNS8 (Suspicious), Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Suspicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (srchbar.com) 99.84.160.29
Affected Browser Settings Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine
Symptoms Manipulated internet browser settings (homepage, default internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit the hijacker's website and search the internet using their search engines.
Distribution methods Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers.
Damage Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites.
Malware Removal (Windows)

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Some examples of apps that are also categorized as browser hijackers include Protect My Search App, Search Power+ and Unit Conversion Tab.

Generally, these apps are advertised as useful and legitimate. They supposedly deliver various features, improve the browsing experience, and are useful in other ways, however, many of these apps are useless and cause serious problems. Never trust or download/install any PUAs.

How did Maps & Directions by QuestForDirections install on my computer?

Commonly, browser hijackers and other PUAs are distributed by including them into the set-ups of other software. This distribution method is known as "bundling" and is used to trick people into downloading and installing PUAs together with regular (usually free) software.

In most cases, information about additionally-included apps is not properly disclosed and can be found in settings such as "Custom" or "Advanced". When people leave these unchecked and unchanged, they often agree by default with offers to download and install unwanted apps with their software.

PUAs also infiltrate when people click deceptive advertisements that execute certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are advised to download files and programs from official websites and through direct links. Channels such as third party downloaders, dubious (unofficial) websites, Peer-to-Peer networks (torrent clients, eMule, etc.) can be used to distribute unwanted or even malicious programs.

Third party installers should also be avoided. Check "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings and dismiss offers to download or install potentially unwanted apps before completing the process.

Do not click intrusive advertisements that appear on web pages relating to gambling, adult dating, pornography and others - they can open potentially malicious websites or download/install unwanted apps. Remove any unwanted extensions, plug-ins and add-ons installed on the browser, and programs of this kind installed on the computer.

If your computer is already infected with Maps & Directions by QuestForDirections, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Notification stating that Maps & Directions by QuestForDirections can read and change various data:

maps and directions by questfordirections asks for a permission to be installed

Website promoting Maps & Directions by QuestForDirections browser hijacker:

Website used to promote Maps & Directions by QuestForDirections browser hijacker

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Quick menu:

Maps & Directions by QuestForDirections browser hijacker removal:

Windows 11 users:

Accessing Apps and Features in Windows 11

Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.

Windows 10 users:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 8

Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.

Windows 7 users:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 7

Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.

macOS (OSX) users:

Uninstall app in OSX (Mac)

Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

srchbar.com browser hijacker uninstall via Control Panel

In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently installed suspicious applications (for example, "Maps & Directions by QuestForDirections"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications that cause browser redirects to the srchbar.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Maps & Directions by QuestForDirections browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser redirects:

Internet Explorer logoRemove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Removing srchbar.com related Internet Explorer extensions

Click the "gear" icon Internet Explorer options icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Removing srchbar.com from Internet Explorer homepage

Click the "gear" icon Internet Explorer options icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window remove hxxp://srchbar.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer. You can also enter about: blank to open a blank page when you start Internet Explorer.

Change your default search engine:

Removing srchbar.com from Internet Explorer default search engine

Click the "gear" icon Internet Explorer options icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". In the opened window, select "Search Providers", set "Google", "Bing", or any other preferred search engine as your default and then remove "Maps & Directions by QuestForDirections".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the srchbar.com redirect, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.

Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows XP

Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 7

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

Reseting Internet Explorer settings to default in Windows 8 - accessing

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - Internet options advanced tab

Click the Reset button.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - click the Reset button in the Internet options advanced tab

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - confirm settings reset to default by clicking the reset button

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removing srchbar.com related Google Chrome extensions

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "Maps & Directions by QuestForDirections" and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.

Change your homepage:

Removing srchbar.com from Google Chrome homepage

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "Maps & Directions by QuestForDirections", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.srchbar.com) below the “Open a specific or set of pages” option. If present, click on the three vertical dots icon and select “Remove”.

Change your default search engine:

Removing srchbar.com from Google Chrome default search engine

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for "srchbar.com", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the srchbar.com redirect, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.

Google Chrome settings reset step 1

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 2

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 3

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Removing srchbar.com related Mozilla Firefox extensions

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and remove "Maps & Directions by QuestForDirections", as well as all other recently installed browser plug-ins.

Change your homepage:

Removing srchbar.com from Mozilla Firefox homepage

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window disable "Maps & Directions by QuestForDirections", remove hxxp://srchbar.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your default search engine:

Removing srchbar.com from Mozilla Firefox default search engine

In the URL address bar, type about:config and press Enter.
Click "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled"
Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the Mozilla Firefox switch about:config entry button button.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with srchbar.com redirect removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, firefox menu icon in the opened menu, click Help.

Accessing settings (Reset Firefox to default settings step 1)

Select Troubleshooting Information.

Accessing Troubleshooting Information (Reset Firefox to default settings step 2)

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

Clicking on Refresh Firefox button (Reset Firefox to default settings step 3)

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Confirm your want to reset Firefox settings to default (Reset Firefox to default settings step 4)

safari browser logoRemove malicious extensions from Safari:

Removing browser hijackers from safari step 1 - accessing preferences

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...

removing browser hijacker from safari step 2 - removing extensions

In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.

Removing browser hijackers from safari step 3 - changing homepage

In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.

removing browser hijackers from safari step 4 - changing the default Internet search engine

In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.

Optional method:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...

resetting safari step 1

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

resetting safari step 2

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) logoRemove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Removing browser hijackers from Microsoft Edge step 1

Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.

Change your homepage and new tab settings:

Removing browser hijackers from Microsoft Edge step 2

Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".

Change your default Internet search engine:

Removing browser hijackers from Microsoft Edge step 3

To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon Microsoft Edge (Chromium) puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the srchbar.com redirect, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 1

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 2

Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 3

  • If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

declining installation of browser hijackers while downloading free software sampleA browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

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Software uninstall instructions
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

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