I downloaded a fake update that gave me myway search engine, so I deleted firefox and downloaded from mozilla's website, but myway came back. Help!
With a fake update, I got the Myway search engine (browser hijacker). So I deleted Firefox, then went to Mozilla.org and reloaded, but it still came back with Myway. What to do? And will this infect/affect other browsers on my computer too?
Chosen solution
Okay, don't panic. MyWay software is annoying but not malicious, and this is not hard to fix. However, a thorough cleaning does take some time.
Here's my suggested procedure for tracking down and cleaning up bad add-ons and other hijackers. I know it seems long, but it's really not that bad.
(1) Open the Windows Control Panel, Uninstall a Program.
After the list loads, click the "Installed on" column heading to group the infections, I mean, additions, by date. This can help in smoking out undisclosed bundle items that snuck in with some software you agreed to install. Be suspicious of everything you do not recognize/remember, as malware often uses important or innocent sounding names to discourage you from removing it.
Take out as much trash as possible here. If you're not sure, feel free to post program names or a screenshot of the list.
(2) Open Firefox's Add-ons page using either:
- Ctrl+Shift+a (Mac: Command+Shift+a)
- "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons
- in the Windows "Run" dialog, type or paste
firefox.exe "about:addons"
In the left column, click Extensions. Then, if in doubt, disable (or Remove, if possible) unrecognized and unwanted extensions. All extensions are optional; the troublemaker might not be obvious from its name.
Often a link will appear above at least one disabled extension to restart Firefox. You can complete your work on the tab and click one of the links as the last step.
Any improvement?
(3) You can search for remaining issues with the scanning/cleaning tools listed in the previously mentioned support article: Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware. These on-demand scanners are free and take considerable time to run. If they finish quickly and especially if they require payment, you may have a serious infection. I suggest the specialized forums listed in the article in that case.
(4) Then finally:
- Restore your preferred home page: How to set the home page
- Restore your preferred default search engine: Change your default search settings in Firefox
Success?
Read this answer in context 👍 0All Replies (5)
Please follow the directions here : https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-firefox-issues-caused-malware
If malware is found please save your log files and go to a Malware Site Forum of your choice.
Please let us know if this solved your issue or if need further assistance.
Chosen Solution
Okay, don't panic. MyWay software is annoying but not malicious, and this is not hard to fix. However, a thorough cleaning does take some time.
Here's my suggested procedure for tracking down and cleaning up bad add-ons and other hijackers. I know it seems long, but it's really not that bad.
(1) Open the Windows Control Panel, Uninstall a Program.
After the list loads, click the "Installed on" column heading to group the infections, I mean, additions, by date. This can help in smoking out undisclosed bundle items that snuck in with some software you agreed to install. Be suspicious of everything you do not recognize/remember, as malware often uses important or innocent sounding names to discourage you from removing it.
Take out as much trash as possible here. If you're not sure, feel free to post program names or a screenshot of the list.
(2) Open Firefox's Add-ons page using either:
- Ctrl+Shift+a (Mac: Command+Shift+a)
- "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons
- in the Windows "Run" dialog, type or paste
firefox.exe "about:addons"
In the left column, click Extensions. Then, if in doubt, disable (or Remove, if possible) unrecognized and unwanted extensions. All extensions are optional; the troublemaker might not be obvious from its name.
Often a link will appear above at least one disabled extension to restart Firefox. You can complete your work on the tab and click one of the links as the last step.
Any improvement?
(3) You can search for remaining issues with the scanning/cleaning tools listed in the previously mentioned support article: Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware. These on-demand scanners are free and take considerable time to run. If they finish quickly and especially if they require payment, you may have a serious infection. I suggest the specialized forums listed in the article in that case.
(4) Then finally:
- Restore your preferred home page: How to set the home page
- Restore your preferred default search engine: Change your default search settings in Firefox
Success?
Thanks for the help! I will do more on this tomorrow. So far, I downloaded Malwarebytes and it found 57 files from Mindspark (Mysearch), which it quarantined. So maybe I solved the problem. But this will take some time. I will let you know.
jlowbeer said
Thanks for the help! I will do more on this tomorrow. So far, I downloaded Malwarebytes and it found 57 files from Mindspark (Mysearch), which it quarantined. So maybe I solved the problem. But this will take some time. I will let you know.
EASY FIX:
Click the Firefox menu button (3 horizontal lines at right end of toolbar). Click Add-ons (icon that looks like a jigsaw puzzle piece). When the Add-ons Manager tab opens, click Extensions (on left). Click on the MyWay extension. Click the disable button. Fixed!
I had this problem on a brand new laptop. I used the link in Pkshadow's reply, and started the troubleshooting process -- this was the step that fixed it.