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When I open a new tab it goes to Ask.com. It appears that the Firefox default tab opened first and then Ask.com opened itself to displace the default tab.

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  • Last reply by KFC7739

KFC7739
KFC7739
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I have this annoying problem that Ask.com keep replace the Firefox default tab page whenever a new tab is opened. I have done the following:

1) Checked the Control Panel/Programs for any software related to Ask.com or Conduit. There isn't any.

2) Checked the plugins and extension. No Ask.com tool bar nor any suspicious software. They are synched with my other computer which does not have this problem.

3) I've checked the Options tab to make sure the home page is properly set. The home button on the browser does not have problem.

4) I reset the Firefox.

5) I checked the value for "browser.newtab.url" in "about:config": 

    a) The original value for "browser.newtab.url" is "about:newtab"
    b) I changed it to "www.google.com", the new tab will now show Google search page except there is a gaming image with flashing "PLAY" showed up beneath the search string input box.  Actual Google search does work normally.  The image in the initial new tab page is annoying.
    c) I changed the "browser.newtab.url" value to "Bing.com" or "Amazon.com" or "eBay.com", the new tab page now display properly for each web site.

I very much want to remove the Ask.com hijacker but I can seem to find any solution.

I have this annoying problem that Ask.com keep replace the Firefox default tab page whenever a new tab is opened. I have done the following: 1) Checked the Control Panel/Programs for any software related to Ask.com or Conduit. There isn't any. 2) Checked the plugins and extension. No Ask.com tool bar nor any suspicious software. They are synched with my other computer which does not have this problem. 3) I've checked the Options tab to make sure the home page is properly set. The home button on the browser does not have problem. 4) I reset the Firefox. 5) I checked the value for "browser.newtab.url" in "about:config": a) The original value for "browser.newtab.url" is "about:newtab" b) I changed it to "www.google.com", the new tab will now show Google search page except there is a gaming image with flashing "PLAY" showed up beneath the search string input box. Actual Google search does work normally. The image in the initial new tab page is annoying. c) I changed the "browser.newtab.url" value to "Bing.com" or "Amazon.com" or "eBay.com", the new tab page now display properly for each web site. I very much want to remove the Ask.com hijacker but I can seem to find any solution.

All Replies (2)

the-edmeister
the-edmeister
  • Moderator
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See if this helps you - http://malwaretips.com/blogs/remove-ask-toolbar-and-search/

KFC7739
KFC7739 Question owner
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Tried that. Also tried SUPERAntiSpyware, ccleaner, HitmanPro. Removed anything that was reported. Problem persists.

Chrome is also affected. But couldn't find any alternative way of not having Ask.com loaded as did in Firefox.

Internet Explorer was initially affected. After the Ask.com search engine is removed that problem appears to have gone away.

12/9/2014 Interestingly, yesterday afternoon the Chrome browner new tab no longer hijacked by Ask.com. The symptom was there in the morning and had gone away in the late afternoon. Nothing was done except a few days ago I blocked everything on that page. The problem with Firefox continue to persist I didn't do the same blocking on it. I am going to try the same and then use anti-spyware to clear away all cookies and see what happens.

Modified by KFC7739