My search engine keeps changing back to default
I've been using Firefox on Mac for several years now, and I've recently changed my laptop to a newer MacBook Pro. Upon reinstalling Firefox, I've selected Google as my preferred search engine; but every now and then (think 2/3 days) I open Firefox to find all my address bar searches land on Yahoo.
It never happened on my old laptop, and I can't figure out why it happens. Anyone has any clue? Thanks!
All Replies (3)
This is most likely a third party application or maybe adware that is changing your default engine from outside of Firefox.
Try using the free version of Malwarebytes or something similar to check for any adware on your machine.
Let us know what you find.
You can check for recently installed suspicious or unknown extensions.
Start Firefox in Troubleshoot Mode to check if one of the extensions ("3-bar" menu button or Tools -> Add-ons -> Extensions) or if hardware acceleration or userChrome.css is causing the problem.
- switch to the DEFAULT theme: "3-bar" menu button or Tools -> Add-ons -> Themes
- do NOT click the "Refresh Firefox" button on the Troubleshoot Mode start window
Standard8 said
This is most likely a third party application or maybe adware that is changing your default engine from outside of Firefox. Try using the free version of Malwarebytes or something similar to check for any adware on your machine. Let us know what you find.
Thanks, it looks like the problem is indeed this! A browser hijacker called k2fhblk somehow find its way to my Mac. I'm working now to get rid of it.