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Seach engine high jacking

  • 6 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 3 views
  • Last reply by FredMcD

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In two weeks my search engine, Google, has been high jacked twice by a extension that has been installed without my knowledge by two different extensions. My AVG virus protection has not stopped it.

In two weeks my search engine, Google, has been high jacked twice by a extension that has been installed without my knowledge by two different extensions. My AVG virus protection has not stopped it.

All Replies (6)

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This would mean you got malware infection and you will have to backtrack where it started. I betcha if you looked at your Add/Remove location you would see it or it is in your Addon section of FF. So by default Google and FF doesn't give malware infections that comes from unverified Addons or Suspect software that has a payload with it.

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What has taken your engines place?

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 “ ******* “ Anything.

Also look for SafeSearch, SearchAssist Incognito, FileConverter Addon, SearchLock, DiscreteSearch, WebSearch, Findwide Search Engine

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.


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 malware scanners. Each works differently. If one program misses something, another may pick it up.

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Thanks, Westend. I know I went to the FF addons and removed the extension. How do I stop it from happening in the first place. I just did a full CPU scan with no errors, with AVG.

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AVG is Virus protection. You need to do a Malware scan please. Please use more than 1 scanner as each uses diff tech :

Save your Report and google each before deleting anything as do not want to delete something you need, If need help :

Post in only 1 forum, then wait.

Just had some issues of my own. Malwarebytes stopped some of it, paid ver. But found more later when data base was updated. Conduit and Lavasoft Web Companion was installed, please check Programs and Applications for that program and should uninstall it. Also delete the folder it created.

When is bundled software is hard unless upload it to Virustotal.com, can scan a file up to 100mb or scan a url.

Please let us know if this solved your issue or if need further assistance.

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One possibility is that you installed extensions that promised A but also delivered B. This happens; it's always a good idea to read the reviews.

Another possibility is that some software lurking on your computer is doing the installations surreptitiously. You may want to supplement your AVG scans with some other well-regarded cleaning tools. Our support article lists programs other Firefox users have found helpful; the link was in FredMcD's reply.

A third possibility is that you share your computer with someone who is far more careless on the web than you are!

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It’s very sad, but many software downloaders/ installers will trick you into installing not only their program, but other programs as well.

You have heard of the fine print in shady contracts, right? Well, some installers you need to look at the itsy bitsy teeny weeny fine print.

You are thinking you are giving the installer permission to install the program you want by using the recommended option. But if you use the Manual Option Instead, you discover all kinds of stuff that you do not even know what it is or what it does.

From now on, everyone needs to Use The Manual Option to put a stop to this.

Note that these programs can also change browser/computer settings.