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Search.yourmapsnow.com Redirect

Also Known As: Your Maps Now browser hijacker
Damage level: Medium

What is search.yourmapsnow.com?

Your Maps Now is a deceptive application identical to My Maps XP, My Coupons XP, My Weather XP, and number of other potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). This application supposedly provides functions for online maps and Internet searches - "Easily search maps and satelite images, and instantly get map driving directions." 

These false claims to deliver 'useful' functionality often trick users into believing that Your Maps Now is a legitimate app. Be aware, however, that this app infiltrates systems without users’ permission. In addition, Your Maps Now modify browser settings, displays intrusive online advertisements, and continually tracks Internet browsing activity.

search.yourmapsnow.com browser hijacker

After infiltrating the system, Your Maps Now assigns the Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox default search engine, homepage, and new tab URL browser settings to the search.yourmapsnow.com website. Furthermore, it installs several 'helper objects' (plug-ins/applications) to prevent users from rolling back these changes.

These modifications lead to continual unwanted browser redirects. Be aware that Your Maps Now generates intrusive online advertisements that might redirect to malicious sites. By continually redirecting users without their consent and generating ads concealing underlying website content, Your Maps Now significantly diminished the Internet browsing experience.

In addition, this browser hijacker gathers various Information relating to users' Internet browsing activity. Some of the collected data might be personally identifiable.

According to the Your Maps Now Privacy Policy, this information is recorded to improve the relevance of generated ads and search results, however, the data is shared with third parties who are likely to misuse personal details to generate revenue.

Thus, the presence of Your Maps Now can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. We strongly recommend that you uninstall this browser hijacker immediately.

Your Maps Now Privacy Policy regarding data sharing with third party companies:

We may also collect, use and store information about your search activity when you use web search services (such as search queries) (“Search Data”). This information may be shared with third-party applications that use Search Data to function, or to offer you more customized information, advertising and services. Your Search Data is collected and stored and may include personally identifiable information, depending on your search query. For instance, if you search your own name, personally identifiable information would be included in the search query. BY USING THE SERVICES, YOU ARE CONSENTING TO GRANT Your Maps Now PERMISSION TO COLLECT YOUR URLS AND SEARCH DATA, INCLUDING SEARCH QUERIES THAT MAY CONTAIN PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION, SHARE THEM WITH THIRD PARTIES, AND USE SEARCH-RELATED COOKIES.

Threat Summary:
Name Your Maps Now
Threat Type Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s) Your Maps Now
Supposed Functionality Driving directions, GPS-relating features.
Promoted URL search.yourmapsnow.com
Serving IP Address (search.yourmapsnow.com) 23.23.191.139
Affected Browser Settings Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine
Symptoms Manipulated Internet browser(s) settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). User's are forced to visit 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 browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites.
Malware Removal (Windows)

To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner.
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Your Maps Now is identical to the above applications, however, there are hundreds of other browser hijacker that are very similar. Terra.im, search.golliver.com, and search.findwide.com are just some examples. By giving fake promises to enhance the Internet browsing experience, browser-hijacking apps attempt to trick users to install.

After infiltrating the system, these applications provide no significant value for users. Their purpose is to generate revenue for the developers - these apps generate advertisements, cause unwanted browser redirects, and track users' Internet browsing activity.

How did search.yourmapsnow.com install on my computer?

Your Maps Now has an official download website, however, it is also distributed using a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of third party programs with regular software/apps) and, thus, often infiltrates systems without users’ consent.

Research shows that many users rush the download/installation processes unaware that developers conceal bogus apps within the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings. This behavior often leads to inadvertent installation of PUPs.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

The key to computer safety is caution. The download and installation processes should not be rushed - performed them using the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings, rather than 'Quick' or 'Typical', otherwise bundled software will remain hidden and you will not be able to opt-out.

Website promoting Your Maps Now browser hijacker:

Website used to promote Your Maps Now

Your Maps Now browser hijacker installer set-up:

Security warning displayed when executing Your Maps Now 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:
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Quick menu:

Search.yourmapsnow.com 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.

search.yourmapsnow.com browser hijacker uninstall via Control Panel

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

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

Search.yourmapsnow.com browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser redirects:

Internet Explorer logoRemove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Removing search.yourmapsnow.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 search.yourmapsnow.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://search.yourmapsnow.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 search.yourmapsnow.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 "OneSearch".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the your maps now browser hijacker, 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 search.yourmapsnow.com related Google Chrome extensions

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome options icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "Your Maps Now" and other recently-installed suspicious add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.

Change your homepage:

Removing search.yourmapsnow.com from Google Chrome homepage

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome options icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On start-up" section, click "set pages", hover your mouse over hxxp://search.yourmapsnow.com and click the x symbol. Now, you can add your preferred website as your homepage.

Change your default search engine:

Removing search.yourmapsnow.com from Google Chrome default search engine

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome options icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search" section, click "Manage Search Engines...", remove "yourmapsnow" (in some cases "amazion.com") and add or select your preferred domain.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the your maps now browser hijacker, 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 search.yourmapsnow.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 "Extensions" and remove "Your Maps Now", as well as other recently-installed browser plug-ins.

Change your homepage:

Removing search.yourmapsnow.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, remove hxxp://search.yourmapsnow.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your default search engine:

Removing search.yourmapsnow.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: "yourmapsnow"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with your maps now browser hijacker 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 your maps now browser hijacker, 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.

Post a comment:
If you have additional information on your maps now browser hijacker or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

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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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Removal Instructions in other languages
Software uninstall instructions
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

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

QR Code
Your Maps Now browser hijacker QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of Your Maps Now browser hijacker on your mobile device.
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