How do I remove the mapsgalaxy toolbar from my computer. It does not show up on the programs list

  • 1 September 2015
  • 1 reply
  • 23 views

I downloaded the mapsgalazy toolbar by mistake.  I want to remove it from my computer, but it does not show up in the list of programs in the control panel so that I can uninstall it.  There was some mention of the browser extensions but I have no idea what they are or how to get to them.  
 

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Userlevel 7
Badge +62
Hello ?,
 
Welcome to the Webroot Community,
 
MapsGalaxy toolbar (from Mindspark Interactive Network) is a browser hijacker, which is promoted via other free downloads, and once installed it will change your browser homepage to home.tb.ask.com and set the default search engine to search.tb.ask.com.
MapsGalaxy “by MyWay” got on your computer after you have installed a freeware software (video recording/streaming, download-managers or PDF creators) that had bundled into their installation/
 
What you are seeing and describing sounds like it may be what we on the Community refer to as a PUA. (Potentially Unwanted Application) These are very annoying at best in that they cause pop-us, redirect your browser home page, and other behavior that may slow down the computer and direct ads your way, but they are not actually doing anything bad like damaging files or stealing information. Often they are installed intentionally by you the user as browser add-ons for various tasks such as quick search tools.. but they also come with the result of added annoying pop-ups and ads. Other times they 'piggy back' with other software that you installed, or try to 'sneak' onto your system entirely.
 
WSA does detect and remove many PUA's, and more are being added, but WSA does not detect all of them. A simple browser add-on with PUA behavior that is easy to identify and easy to remove is not likely to be detected and removed by WSA. Those that are intentionally difficult to locate and remove are. Please see THIS LINK for more information regarding Webroot's stance on these annoying programs.
 
For those that are not detected by WSA, please see this KB Article. It has some easy to follow directions on locating and removing PUA's. You may also want to submit a Trouble Ticket, especially if you cannot remove it easily from the directions in the KB Article.
 
For those that ARE detected by WSA, but cannot be removed automatically, you can submit a Trouble Ticket.  Webroot Support will help you get these annoying 'crapware' off your computer at no extra charge, and the additional examples may help to better automatic removal of that particular PUA for all users in the future.
 
Hope this helps,
 
 
 
 

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