How to Delete Anysearchmanager
Anysearchmanager (ASM) now appears as my search engine when I log on even though duckduckgo is still designated as my default in Firefox. At no time have I elected to use the unsecure ASM. It does not appear in my applications folder and I can't get to it via disable/delete extensions in Firefox. I can still access duckduckgo if I manually override ASM, but that is a pain. And ASM does not show up on Malwarebytes scans.
How can I purge ASM?
Thanks for your help!!!
David
Chosen solution
Hi David, I think it's still worth checking in Troubleshoot Mode.
Assuming all questionable extensions are disabled, any improvement?
By the way, if you get ASM on your home page -- the page that appears in each new window (Command+N) -- you may need to restore your preferred home page manually. See: How to set the home page.
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Hi David, when you say --
jonesds52 said
I can't get to it via disable/delete extensions in Firefox.
-- do you mean the Extensions list is blocked or blank? In that case, please try using Firefox's Troubleshoot Mode to review your extensions, since all extensions are temporarily disabled in that mode to prevent interference. Here's how:
You can restart Firefox in Troubleshoot Mode using either:
- "3-bar" menu button > Help > Troubleshoot Mode...
- (menu bar) Help menu > Troubleshoot Mode...
and OK the restart. A small dialog should appear. Click the Open button.
If that method doesn't work:
Quit Firefox, then hold down the option/alt key when starting Firefox. Again, a small dialog should appear. Click the Open button.
Note: Don't use the Refresh without first reviewing this article to understand what will be deleted: Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings.
Now can you review/disable extensions that you aren't 100% sure are safe? Also, feel free to remove any extensions you don't need or can't recall installing.
Any improvement?
Thank you for your quick reply.
What I should have said is that anysearchmanager (ASM) does not appear as an extension anywhere in Firefox that I have searched. Another article I found noted that ASM should show up there.
I have read that anti virus companies Bitdefender and Avast can detest and eliminate ASM, but I was going to pursue that as a last resort.
Please let me know if you have any other thoughts.
David
Chosen Solution
Hi David, I think it's still worth checking in Troubleshoot Mode.
Assuming all questionable extensions are disabled, any improvement?
By the way, if you get ASM on your home page -- the page that appears in each new window (Command+N) -- you may need to restore your preferred home page manually. See: How to set the home page.
Thanks, again. I will give this a try, although when I first looked at the handful of extensions nothing appeared suspicious.
Good suggestion regarding the home page. Thanks for that pointer!
David
Just a short note to let you know that ASM did in fact show up on the home page. After restoring the defaults, the issue appears to be resolved.
Thanks again for your help; I appreciate it!