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trying to get rid of a browser add-on that keeps reinstalling itself?

evenifigoalone

evenifigoalone

Fare thee well, Felicia
2024 Supporter
,In installing some programs on my laptop a few weeks back I accidentally agreed to install a search engine add-on.
It changed my homepage, and when I'd change it back to the homepage I wanted, next time I was on the add-on had changed it back again. Plus I just plain didn't like the add-on.
So I disabled it. It came back. I removed it and have had to remove it over and over--it keeps coming back. And I have to change my homepage every time.

I swear, programs like this should be illegal.:help

P.S. I've also tried telling my internet protection program (not the same as my anti-virus) to specifically block it, but apparently it can only block actual webpages.
 
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What browser are you using, and have you gone into the add-ons section of it?
 
When all else fails, you can just uninstall then reinstall firefox. Of course you will want to save your bookmarks.
 
Reminds me of a browser hijacker type malware. Usually that redirects you to something other than you typed, but more innocent versions change the home page and does otherwise things that you don't want it to do.

Take the advice of Knotical about uninstalling and reinstalling and if that does not help, you have more (typical) serious problems not foreign to Microsoft. But all I can offer these days is sympathy. There were the days when my computer constantly got that kind of stuff, but since the Linux for the last year or so it never,ever (nor ever will) happens any more, so I got rusty on the fixes and the newer stuff that came out. I actually now have control of my computer and not hijacked by someone on the net without permission.
 
What kind of antivirus/antispam/antimalware/firewall software do you have? If you just say Windows then I know what your problem is. If you have something else, let us know and we can possibly walk you through running a scan and having it clean out your computer.
 
Quesdriven, I would suggest a complete removal of Firefox and all of its data (you could probably save the bookmarks) and do a full virus scan using a good virus software. Hopefully you have a good paid one.

If this does not work, I would suggest doing a System Restore (Start > Accessories > System Restore). If you're running Windows 7 or Vista System Restore may be in the Administrative Tools or System Tools folder of the Accessories folder. You'll find it in Control Panel as well (from memory).
 
Another thought: could you uninstall the program that caused this to happen, and re-install it without letting it install the browser add-on?
 
Knotical said:
What kind of antivirus/antispam/antimalware/firewall software do you have? If you just say Windows then I know what your problem is. If you have something else, let us know and we can possibly walk you through running a scan and having it clean out your computer.
Click to expand...
AVG free edition 2013
 
Reinstall Firefox...oh crap. I'd have to reinstall all of my other add-ons (noscript, ad blocker plus, etc), wouldn't I?
I guess if that's what it takes.

Nick said:
Another thought: could you uninstall the program that caused this to happen, and re-install it without letting it install the browser add-on?
Click to expand...
I forgot what the program was. ^^; It was something to do with file conversion, which I downloaded several of. (I uninstalled several of them when they didn't work, but not sure about all.)
 
questdriven said:
AVG free edition 2013
Click to expand...

You might want to consider getting a full suite edition of some security software. I use BitDefender on my home computer. It may be a bit expensive, but very powerful, and unlike many other security softwares it is not a resource hog. I have used AVG, ZoneAlarm, and some others, but have found that BD is the best. It is also the highest rated.
 
All this AV software. :shame I still don't understand why anyone would want all that on their computer, and oftentimes pay for it yet. I do not put up with it, and indeed could not put up with it. I guess I don't make a good Christian. I don't have the patience of a saint like all you fine folks have. :toofunny
 
tim-from-pa said:
All this AV software. :shame I still don't understand why anyone would want all that on their computer, and oftentimes pay for it yet. I do not put up with it, and indeed could not put up with it. I guess I don't make a good Christian. I don't have the patience of a saint like all you fine folks have. :toofunny
Click to expand...
Well my computer has never been infected with a virus since I got good paid AV software. The only time I got hit was before I got AV software beyond basic Windows.

If you run Windows, good AV software is a must.
 
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