This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Hierdie gesprek is in die argief. Vra asseblief 'n nuwe vraag as jy hulp nodig het.

Crashing causing search engine change

  • 2 antwoorde
  • 1 het hierdie probleem
  • 4 views
  • Laaste antwoord deur FredMcD

more options

Hi Guys, Firefox crashes now and then, and when it does, it changes my default search engine.

When this happens, "Browser Default" is added to 'search Shortcuts' and selected.

To revert back to Google, it has to be selected, and removed.

I have come to the conclusion, that this is a deliberate action, caused by some form of Malware or similar, as it is the only thing that appears to change, and always happens when Firefox crashes.

On the other rare occasions that Firefox crashes, it returns asking to return to previous sessions, and does so without issue - these crashes are extremely infrequent, however, the previous example is like clockwork.

Hoping you can help.

Cheers, Brad

Hi Guys, Firefox crashes now and then, and when it does, it changes my default search engine. When this happens, "Browser Default" is added to 'search Shortcuts' and selected. To revert back to Google, it has to be selected, and removed. I have come to the conclusion, that this is a deliberate action, caused by some form of Malware or similar, as it is the only thing that appears to change, and always happens when Firefox crashes. On the other rare occasions that Firefox crashes, it returns asking to return to previous sessions, and does so without issue - these crashes are extremely infrequent, however, the previous example is like clockwork. Hoping you can help. Cheers, Brad

All Replies (2)

more options

You may have ad/mal-ware. Further information can be found in this article; https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-firefox-issues-caused-malware?cache=no

Run most or all of the listed free to use malware scanners. Each works differently. If one program misses something, another may pick it up.

more options

Type about:addons<enter> in the address bar to open your Add-ons Manager. Hot key; (<Control> [Mac=<Command>] <Shift> A)

In the Add-ons Manager, on the left, select Extensions. Remove “ Browser Default “ Anything.

Also remove SafeSearch, SearchAssist Incognito, FileConverter Addon, SearchLock, DiscreteSearch, WebSearch, Findwide Search Engine, securedsearch

Now do the same in the computer’s Programs Folder.

Windows: Start > Control Panel > Uninstall Programs. Mac: Open the Applications folder. Linux: Check your user manual.