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Firefox keeps chaning my search preferences, even between updates

  • 2 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 2 views
  • Last reply by bnemo

bnemo
bnemo
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I go in to preferences/search. Then change the default search engine to the preferred engine, provide search suggestions, show in address bar clicked on. Here's where the problem lies, in the one-click section I delete ALL the search engines except my default. After a few day I will find the Yahoo is suddenly the search engine being used when I put search content in the address bar. When I go back in to the preference setting for search, there is "Browser default" added to the one-click search engines, I can delete it and in a few days... it returns. This has been happening since the last several updates...

I go in to preferences/search. Then change the default search engine to the preferred engine, provide search suggestions, show in address bar clicked on. Here's where the problem lies, in the one-click section I delete ALL the search engines except my default. After a few day I will find the Yahoo is suddenly the search engine being used when I put search content in the address bar. When I go back in to the preference setting for search, there is "Browser default" added to the one-click search engines, I can delete it and in a few days... it returns. This has been happening since the last several updates...

All Replies (2)

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Hi bnemo, Firefox no longer comes with a Yahoo search plugin, and the default in (most or all) English-speaking parts of the world is Google. So this is most likely a malware problem.

As a first step, you can view, disable, and often remove unwanted or unknown extensions on the Add-ons page. Either:

  • Command+Shift+a (Windows: Ctrl+Shift+a)
  • "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons
  • type or paste about:addons in the address bar and press Enter/Return

In the left column of the Add-ons page, click Extensions.

Then cast a critical eye over the list on the right side. Any extensions Firefox installs for built-in features are hidden from this page, so everything listed here is your choice (and your responsibility) to manage. Anything search-related, suspicious, or that you just do not remember installing or why? If in doubt, disable (or remove).

Any improvement?

bnemo
bnemo Question owner
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The only extension I see installed is the FVD speed dial. I'm running Mac OS 10.13.5 (High Sierra) Ran Malwarebytes yesterday and it did clean some threats, so I'll see how thing progress from here. Thanks!