I have this problem too and it has progressed to having a redirect or the opening of unrequested pages with almost every search. There is another related and yet unanswered question here...

https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/questions/726801?s=redirects&as=s

In both your cases it could be malware; even on your new laptop hotwiredmom. All it takes is one visit to one web site that is infected. On wifi connections you are more vulnerable because they are wide open and offer little protection to users. Keep your AV/AS and firewall updated and scan regularly. For stubborn infections, you may need to scan in Windows Safe Mode.

Scan for malware using as many of the following as possible. All have a free version that will detect and remove malware that is in their respective signature databases. Download, install and update them. REMEMBER:

• Not all anti-malware scanners detect the same malware
• Never run more than one firewall at the same time
• Never have more than one AV/AS application running in on-access or real-time mode at the same time. Most AV/AS experts say not to have more than one AV/AS application installed on your system.

• Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware - http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
• SuperAntispyware - http://www.superantispyware.com/
• AdAware - http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
• Spybot Search & Destroy - http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
• Windows Defender - http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx
• Dr. Web Cureit - http://www.freedrweb.com/cureit/

If these don't find it or can't clear it, post in one of these forums for specialized malware removal help. Read their posting rules and follow their instructions to-the-letter:

• http://bleepingcomputer.com
• http://www.spywareinfoforum.com/
• http://www.spywarewarrior.com/index.php
• http://forum.aumha.org/

hotwiredmom

You have plugins on your system that are/may be out of date and have known security issues.

Update Shockwave Flash (Adobe Flash). A new version was released 2010-08-12, ver. 10.1.82.76.

1. You can check your version: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/plugincheck/
   • Note: plugin check page does not have information on all plugin versions
2. Use Firefox to Download and SAVE to your hard drive (link in article below)
3. After download completes, close Firefox
4. Click on the file you just downloaded and install
   • Note: Vista and Win7 users may need to right-click the installer downloaded and choose "Run as Administrator"
   • Note: Most browsers other than IE will also get updated with this one download
   • Note: To update IE, same procedure but use IE to go: http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/install_flash_player_ax.exe
5. After installation, restart Firefox and check your version again.

• Download link and other information:

https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Managing+the+Flash+plugin#Updating_Flash

Update Adobe Reader (Adobe PDF Plug-In)

• Check your version: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/plugincheck/
  • Note: plugin check does ont have information to check all versions of all plugins
• Another new version of Adobe Reader is schedule for release during the week beginning 2010-08-16 to correct security issues.

Updating Adobe Reader:

1. From within your existing Adobe Reader:
   • Open the Adobe Reader program from your Programs list
   • Click Help > Check for Updates
2. Download complete installer:
   • Use Firefox to download and SAVE the installer to your hard drive from the link in the article below
   • On the Adobe page, un-check any extra items (i.e. Free McAfee® Security Scan Plus) then click Download button
   • If you see message just under tabs, DO NOT click the Allow button, instead click below that where it says "click here to download".
   • Click "Save to File"; save to your desktop
   • After download completes, close Firefox
   • Click the installer you just downloaded and allow the install to continue
     • Note: Vista and Win7 users may need to right-click the installer and choose "Run as Administrator"
   • See: https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Using+the+Adobe+Reader+plugin+with+Firefox#Installing_and_updating_Adobe_Reader
3. After the installation, start Firefox and check your version again.

Thank you Helper. As I said on the other thread, I have run several quality anti-malware programs such as MalwareBytes, Spybot, Kaspersky, etc. I have also tried "Safe Mode" and disabling add-on's which didn't help the problem. I have also updated the Adobe flash player.

It makes sense to me that this is an infection, except for one issue.... My PC is running great in all respects other than this problem with the FF browser. I am wondering if a system restore would be helpful (as long as it's not a malware problem).

I will try to get another anti-malware program for the next step.

Thanks much

One last note, this doesn't just happen with searches. Sometimes I will have typed in a URL such as Facebook or Verizon or so and after it loads then it will do the crazy pop up with a new window of some meaningless junk, usually something it has decided I'm interested in.

I have updated all plug-ins I am currently using. I have ran the suggested malware, spyware, etc. programs. I agree with Rossman...this doesn't seem like an infection because in ALL other ways my laptop is running perfectly, quickly, smoothly.

Because I haven't been able to find any other people other than those who clicked here that they are having the same problem, I have not found anyone else talking about this same problem on the web. If this was an infection, it would be much more widespread and people would be raising a huge stink. It seems like a programming glitch somewhere, either with FF 4.6.8 or a plug-in, but as I said I updated or deleted all plug-ins and even attempted to run in safe mode with the same results.

I have asked on other forums such as Daniweb and have yet to find anyone with any knowledge on this issue. So any help would be appreciated.

I downloaded and ran several anti malware programs per recommendations here. The "Spyware Terminator" also has a toolbar with it's own search engine (Crawler). So far, I have none of these redirecting problems with Crawler. But, if I use my FF/Google Search, I get redirected almost every time which is like trying to drive a car without a steering wheel. I am reluctant to delete and re-download the FF not knowing for certain that would solve the problem....I have 100's of saved links, tabs, and bookmarks on my FF browser that would have to be exported until after the download.

I continue with severe problems isolated to the FF/Google search.....but everything else with my PC is running great. Even using a different search engine that functions well, I still need to get to the bottom of what's wrong with FF, especially if it is stealth malware.

I believe removing most components of Gamevance solved my problem. I used MalwareBytes and it was the ONLY thing that actually found any infections. I used about 6 different things to try and find it.

I ran MalwareBytes early on and as usual it is the tried and true all around best antimalware program. I removed significant amount of malware with MalwareBytes and ran several other programs as well including Spybot, SuperAntiSpyware, Spyware Terminator, Kaspersky, and others. I remove every last shread of malware and do just fine until I run a FF/google search which still re-directs me, and it's to a page that causes massive re-infection. So, I'm good until I do a search. I have run so many anti-malware programs that I just don't see what good it will do to take the PC to the shop....what else could they possibly do. Anyhow, glad you found some success hotwiredmom. I will try some more of these recommended forums for now, but please let me know if anyone finds more solutions.

hotwired,

You may need the assistance of one of the forums specializing in malware removal. I listed 4 at the bottom of my post on 08/18/2010, above, about malware removal. If you go to one of those forums, be sure to read their rules for posting and follow their advice to-the-letter. Good luck.