I removed Bing from the search options, but it keeps showing up and set as the default.
I removed Bing from the search options but every time I restart FF, it keeps showing up and set as the default. I am running Windows 10 and some updates were just installed today with plenty of restarts. This wasn't a problem before the updates. I checked what extensions and add-ons are installed in FF but I don't see anything suspicious. I looked at my installed programs and don't see anything fishy there either. Running FF 57.0.2 64-bit.
Maybe I'm not searching the right thing, but I didn't see anyone else with this issue. Any ideas?
All Replies (7)
One of your extensions may be overriding your selection. You can view, disable, and often remove unwanted or unknown extensions on the Add-ons page. Either:
- Ctrl+Shift+a (Mac: Command+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 system extensions that Firefox installs on its own are hidden from this page, so everything listed here is your choice (and your responsibility) to manage. Anything that mentions Bing or searching, or that you don't remember installing? If in doubt, disable or remove.
Any improvement?
P.S. If you haven't already, please also skim through the Windows Control Panel, Uninstall a Program.
After the list loads, click the "Installed on" column heading to group the infections, I mean, additions, by date. This can help in smoking out undisclosed bundle items that snuck in with some software you agreed to install. Be suspicious of everything you do not recognize/remember, as malware often uses important or innocent sounding names to discourage you from removing it.
Take out as much trash as possible here. If you're not sure, feel free to post program names or a screenshot of the list.
I did all of those things already, as mentioned above.
I wasn't sure because you implied you only checked for suspicious extensions.
Some utility programs will roll back settings changes between Firefox sessions, such as Advanced System Cleaner. If you use that or any other programs with browser settings protection features, try setting them not to touch your Firefox data.
In case you somehow got a modified version of Firefox, you also could try:
Clean Reinstall
We use this name, but it's not about removing your settings, it's about making sure the program files are clean (no inconsistent or alien code files). As described below, this process does not disturb your existing settings. It's not essential to uninstall Firefox, but you can if you like, saying No to any request about removing personal data.
It only takes a few minutes.
(A) Download a fresh installer for Firefox to a convenient location:
https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/
(B) Exit out of Firefox (if applicable).
(C) Using Windows Explorer/My Computer, rename the program folder as follows (you might have one or both):
C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox =to=> C:\Program Files (x86)\OldFirefox
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox =to=> C:\Program Files\OldFirefox
(D) Run the installer you downloaded in step (A). It should automatically connect to your existing settings.
Any improvement?
Just tried that but unfortunately, the same problem arises. Does that mean that there is something weird installed on my computer?
BTW, at this point, I'm thinking of just rebuilding my whole computer to avoid this and another issue I'm running into. So maybe this isn't worth going down the rabbit hole on unless others are having the same issue. :)
Do a malware check with several malware scanning programs on the Windows computer.
Please scan with all programs because each program detects different malware. All these programs have free versions.
Make sure you update each program to get the latest version of their databases before doing a scan.
- Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware:
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php - AdwCleaner:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Antivirus/Removal-Tools/AdwCleaner.shtml - SuperAntispyware:
http://www.superantispyware.com/ - Microsoft Safety Scanner:
https://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx - Windows Defender:
https://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/using-defender - Spybot Search & Destroy:
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html - Kasperky Free Security Scan:
https://www.kaspersky.com/security-scan
You can also do a check for a rootkit infection with TDSSKiller.
- Anti-rootkit utility TDSSKiller:
https://support.kaspersky.com/viruses/disinfection/5350
https://support.kaspersky.com/viruses/utility
See also:
- "Spyware on Windows": http://kb.mozillazine.org/Popups_not_blocked