Remove OnlineMapFinder browser hijacker

OnlineMapFinder is advertised as a toolbar that improves the browsing experience but is classified as a browser hijacker. It also promotes hp.myway.com. It installs using deceptive installation methods and hijacks the browser in order to redirect you to sponsored websites. It’s not a malicious infection but it could redirect you to potentially dangerous websites. If you notice it installed on your computer, remove OnlineMapFinder sooner rather than later.

 

 

 

Browser hijackers are perhaps one of the most common infections users have to deal with. In many cases, browser hijackers are installed without the user’s knowledge or explicit permission. However, they become very obvious once fully installed. It’s hard not to notice changed browser settings, such as a different site loading as the homepage or new tabs. Hijackers also set questionable search engines as the user’s default. The OnlineMapFinder browser hijacker pushes hp.myway.com and sets it as the default search engine. You will also be redirected to the site whenever you open your browser.

Browser hijackers are frustrating infections but they are not directly malicious. They make unwanted changes to browser settings and try to force users to use dubious search engines, such as hp.myway.com in this particular case. These dubious search engines insert sponsored results among legitimate ones to trick users into clicking on them as they aim to generate revenue. Fortunately, sponsored results are usually quite obvious, so users should have no issues avoiding them. We don’t recommend clicking on any sponsored results because you could be redirected to potentially dangerous websites, such as ones promoting scams and concealing malware.

Moreover, browser hijackers also have quite intrusive data collection practices. They can track users’ browsing activities and gather data such as visited websites, search queries, and IP addresses. It’s also quite common for this collected information to be shared with third parties. Since OnlineMapFinder has no useful features and is completely pointless, there is no reason why you should tolerate its intrusive data collection practices or any other unwanted behavior.

You will need to remove the OnlineMapFinder browser hijacker from your computer for your browser to return to normal. We recommend using WiperSoft, as the program will take care of everything for you.

How did the OnlineMapFinder browser hijacker install on my computer?

It is common for browser hijackers, adware, and similar infections to be promoted as helpful programs on websites that offer free programs. As is the case with this OnlineMapFinder hijacker. This hijacker is promoted as a browser extension for finding maps. Therefore, it is important to research programs before downloading and installing them. Even a quick search on Google can help determine whether a program is safe. If the search results indicate that a program may be unwanted, do not install it.

Browser hijackers and adware are often unintentionally installed by users who are not careful when installing programs. These infections use a rather deceptive installation method known as software bundling. In this process, the infections are added to a free program as additional offers. These offers are automatically set to be installed alongside the programs they are attached to, without the need for users’ explicit permission. While these additional offers are optional, users must manually deselect them to prevent their installation. However, as the offers are hidden in settings that users don’t usually use, they often go unnoticed. This makes software bundling a controversial installation method, and programs that use software bundling are typically classified as potential threats by anti-virus programs.

When installing a program, it’s important to pay attention to avoid installing extra offers that come bundled with free programs. To prevent unwanted installations, always choose Advanced (Custom) settings instead of Default (Basic) during the installation process. Even though the installation window will recommend using Default settings for a quicker process, these settings allow all added offers to install alongside the program. On the other hand, Advanced settings display all added offers clearly, giving you the option to deselect what you don’t want. Legitimate programs do not use the installation method of adding extra offers, so it’s best to deselect them.

While the extra offers may seem useful initially, by allowing them to be installed, you will fill your computer with junk programs. Once installed, these programs can be difficult to remove, particularly if you want to do it manually. It’s much easier to uncheck a couple of boxes during the installation process than to deal with removing unwanted programs later on.

How to remove OnlineMapFinder browser hijacker

Because browser hijackers are not serious infections, you can remove the OnlineMapFinder browser hijacker manually or by using an anti-virus program. However, the latter is recommended because the program would take care of everything for you. We recommend using the WiperSoft anti-virus program because hijackers can be quite persistent and the program will remove it with no issues. Manual OnlineMapFinder removal would be more time-consuming but it is possible. Once the hijacker has been removed, your browser will return to normal, and you will be able to change your browser’s settings as usual.