How do I get rid of Ask.com which has taken over Firefox on my Windows 7 professional laptop?
I downloaded an icon to access dictionary.com. My Firefox browser vanished and in its place is Ask.com. I deleted dicionary.com but have not been able to delete ask.com. It does not show up in programs, search, files. etc. I found it in 'add ons' and deleted it, but it is still there.
Webroot anti virus and spy scan finds nothing amiss.
Am trying to avoid a restore if possible.
All Replies (3)
I don't understand what you mean by "it's taken over Firefox". What is it that you downloaded? Was it that you added "dictionary.com" as a new search engine, or is it something else?
This type of pest is usually installed along with software you download from the internet; generally free programs, but not always. Carefully watch for "extra" items that will be installed and un-check or opt-out of them.
- You can check to see if you have any of these installed:
- Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs, click on any that you find and click "Remove": Ask.com Bar, My Search Bar, MyWay Speed Bar, My Web Search Bar, Fun Web Products Easy Installer
- See:
- Also see: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Uninstalling_toolbars
- You MAY need to change a preference if when typing one or two words in the URL/Location/Address Bar sends you to some search page other than the one you expect. To reset your default URL/location bar search provider:
- Enter about:config in the address/URL bar and press the Enter key
- If you see a warning, accept it (Promise that you will be careful)
- Filter = keyword.URL
- Below the Filter, if keyword.URL is bold, right-click on keyword.URL and choose "Reset"
- Restart Firefox (File > Restart Firefox)
- See: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Keyword.url
- You MAY need to reset your homepage if some search page that you do not want or expect opens when you start Firefox. Firefox can open multiple home pages. Home pages are separated by the "|" symbol.
I downloaded MP3 rocket which came with the ask toolbar. Ask is not in the uninstall with windows. Do I need to uninstall MP3 rocket or uninstall firefox and reinstall?