How to uninstall Get Maps & Driving Directions (bestfreemaps.com) browser hijacker

What kind of extension is Get Maps & Driving Directions?

Our researchers inspected Get Maps & Driving Directions and found it to be a browser hijacker. Once added to a browser, it changes settings to promote bestfreemaps.com - a fake search engine that redirects users through a chain of pages they did not choose to visit.

This extension poses a privacy risk and should be removed. We advise against using it or any search engine it promotes.

Get Maps & Driving Directions and bestfreemaps.com browser hijacker overview

After Get Maps & Driving Directions is added to a browser, it sets the homepage, new tab page, and default search engine to bestfreemaps.com. Every new tab the user opens and every search query they type is routed through this promoted address.

Bestfreemaps.com is a fake search engine - it cannot generate results on its own. Searches submitted through it are forwarded to s1search.co, which is another fake search engine.

S1search.co does not produce results independently either. It passes queries along to the Yahoo search engine. It is worth noting that redirect destinations may vary depending on the user's location and other factors.

Browser hijackers frequently use persistence mechanisms to prevent removal. These can include blocking access to extension management settings or undoing changes the user makes to their browser configuration.

Get Maps & Driving Directions likely collects browsing data, as is typical for software in this category. Information such as visited URLs, search queries, browser cookies, and IP addresses may be gathered and sold to third parties.

In short, this extension is linked to privacy risks, unwanted redirects, and potential exposure to questionable online content.

Browser hijacker examples

We have examined numerous browser hijackers; Freshy Search, Video Search Extension, and Nautilus Notes are a few of our most recent articles on similar threats.

Browser-hijacking extensions often look legitimate and promise useful features. In most cases, though, the advertised functionality is secondary to the extension's real purpose - routing user traffic to monetized websites.

How did Get Maps & Driving Directions install on my computer?

Get Maps & Driving Directions has its own promotional webpage and may also appear on deceptive websites or in online scams, where it is presented as a handy navigation tool.

Browser hijackers also spread through software bundling. Free programs downloaded from freeware sites, file-hosting platforms, or peer-to-peer (P2P) networks often come packaged with unwanted additions. Rushing through installation - skipping terms or using "Quick" or "Express" settings - makes it easy to accept bundled extras without realizing it.

Intrusive ads and spam browser notifications from shady websites are another distribution channel. Some ads, when clicked, silently execute scripts that download and install software without any further action from the user.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

Download software only from official or verified sources. Before installing anything, research it thoroughly and read the license terms. During setup, choose "Custom" or "Advanced" options so you can review and decline any bundled extensions or applications.

Also, stay cautious while browsing. Intrusive ads often look harmless but redirect users to questionable pages or trigger unwanted downloads. Do not grant notification permissions to websites you do not recognize or trust.

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

Appearance of bestfreemaps.com redirecting to the Yahoo search engine (GIF):

Permissions asked by Get Maps & Driving Directions browser hijacker:

Instant automatic malware removal:

Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:

By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by RCS LT, the parent company of PCRisk.com.

Quick menu:

• What is Get Maps & Driving Directions?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Get Maps & Driving Directions browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove bestfreemaps.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove bestfreemaps.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Get Maps & Driving Directions browser hijacker removal:

Windows 11 users:

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:

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:

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:

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.

In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently installed suspicious applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Get Maps & Driving Directions browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser redirects:

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Extensions" and click "Manage Extensions". Locate "Get Maps & Driving Directions" and other recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "Get Maps & Driving Directions", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.bestfreemaps.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:

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the 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 "bestfreemaps.com", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the bestfreemaps.com redirect, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the 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.

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

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

Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate "Get Maps & Driving Directions", as well as all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

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

Change your default search engine:

In the URL address bar, type "about:config" and press Enter. Click "Accept the Risk and Continue".

In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled". Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the button.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with bestfreemaps.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, in the opened menu, click Help.

Select Troubleshooting Information.

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

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

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

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

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

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.

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...

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

If you continue having problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Click the Edge 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:

Click the Edge 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:

To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge 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 near it and select "Disable".

Optional method:

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

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

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.

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

Summary:

A 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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users to visit websites like bestfreemaps.com?

Forcing visits to bestfreemaps.com generates revenue for the extension's operators. Traffic is monetized through advertising, and the redirect chain - passing through s1search.co before reaching Yahoo - creates additional monetization opportunities along the way.

Is visiting bestfreemaps.com a threat to my privacy?

Yes, to some extent. Bestfreemaps.com and the sites it routes users through, including s1search.co, may collect browsing data such as search queries and visited pages. That data can be sold to third parties, which makes these sites a privacy concern.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers like Get Maps & Driving Directions are commonly distributed through bundled software installers, deceptive promotional pages, online scams, spam browser notifications, and intrusive ads. Rushing through software installations without reviewing what is being added is one of the most frequent causes.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Get Maps & Driving Directions browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan for and remove browser-hijacking extensions, including Get Maps & Driving Directions.

Manual removal is not always reliable, especially when multiple unwanted extensions are present - some can reinstall others after removal. Combo Cleaner eliminates all threats at once and restores the affected browser settings.