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Firefox opens a certain tab when it starts/new window opens

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I've tried everything and all the basic stuff default settings, refreshing firefox, changing home page and stuff, but still, whenever I open firefox OR open a new window, this opens up in a tab

http://www-searching.com/?prd=set_epc&s=GAMzftpbl0cshmoAU,13e6d9f9-7a7f-4b13-a8ea-f984f42d601c,

I dont know what that website is and I cant get rid of it..

I've tried everything and all the basic stuff default settings, refreshing firefox, changing home page and stuff, but still, whenever I open firefox OR open a new window, this opens up in a tab http://www-searching.com/?prd=set_epc&s=GAMzftpbl0cshmoAU,13e6d9f9-7a7f-4b13-a8ea-f984f42d601c, I dont know what that website is and I cant get rid of it..

All Replies (6)

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Unfortunately, it's probably a little infection from installing a bundle of free software recently.

If it is constantly being added to your home page setting, that's one thing. If it opens independently of a correct home page setting, that's different.

Have you noticed revisions of your home page? You can double-check that on the Options page, as described here:

Startup, home page, tabs, and download settings

Firefox supports multiple pages separated by a vertical bar ("|") character, so if your normal home page address is long, look for a bar to see whether another one has been tacked on. Or perhaps it will be obvious in this case.

If you see it there and edit it, does that work?

If you edit the setting, close the page, re-open the page, and it's back, the setting may be "locked".

If you do not see it there ever, and still Ctrl+n open that page, the infection would be outside of the setting.

I'll give you a couple posts with further suggestions.

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It is I downloaded something that installed a bunch of tool bars and stuff that I removed and I even ran anti virus from Norton 30 day trial, but now its just firefox thats messed up with this. My homepage is google.ca and it stays as google, but that other website still comes up. CTRL + N opens my homepage, google.ca, when when I open firefox normally, it opens the tab.

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This post assumed you were opening a new window using Ctrl+n or the menu in Firefox. If the new windows that have the problem were opened using the Firefox taskbar icon or desktop shortcut, see the next post.

Usually a hijack like this would be caused by an add-on, but your Firefox extension list looks pretty clean. So let's focus on external software, an optional settings file, and a possible program folder infection.

(1) Open 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 surface undisclosed bundle items that snuck in with some software you agreed to install. Take out as much trash as possible here, especially anything referring to "search." (If in doubt, feel free to post a screenshot.)

(2) You can search for remaining issues with the scanning/cleaning tools listed in our support article: Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware. These on-demand scanners are free and take considerable time to run. If they finish quickly and especially if they require payment, you may have a serious infection. I suggest the specialized forums listed in the article in that case.

(3) If the unwanted page keeps showing up in your home page setting but you are able to effectively edit it out for the rest of your session until you exit Firefox:

Malware can create an optional settings file named user.js file in your profile folder (personal settings folder). Firefox uses the settings in that file at startup to override your saved preferences from the previous session. Unless you created that file yourself, it may contain unwanted settings from an add-on or external software.

You can check for and remove the file using the steps in this article: How to fix preferences that won't save (there's a specific section on user.js files).

By default, Windows hides the .js file extension. To work with files as accurately as possible, I suggest showing all file extensions. This Microsoft support article has the steps: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/wi.../show-hide-file-name-extensions.

(4) If there is no visible Firefox setting point to that page:

Try the following to clear a program folder infection:

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. You do not need to uninstall Firefox first.

It only takes a few minutes.

(A) Download a fresh installer for Firefox 49.0.2 from https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/ to a convenient location. (Scroll down to your preferred language.) Choose the "Windows" version (32-bit) rather than the 64-bit version for maximum plugin compatibility (and of course for 32-bit Windows systems).

(B) Exit out of Firefox (if applicable).

(C) Using Windows Explorer/My Computer, rename the program folder as follows:

32-bit Firefox on 64-bit Windows: Rename

C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox

to

C:\Program Files (x86)\OldFirefox

Other combinations: Rename

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.

Note: Some plugins may exist only in that OldFirefox folder. If something essential is missing, look in these folders:

  • \OldFirefox\Plugins
  • \OldFirefox\browser\plugins

Any improvement?

Izmjenjeno od strane jscher2000 - Support Volunteer

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sandro1632 said

CTRL + N opens my homepage, google.ca, when when I open firefox normally, it opens the tab.

Whoops, our posts crossed. Could be a hijacked desktop shortcut in that case. The Firefox icon can be set up to launch specific pages at startup (or more specifically, when you use the icon). To check whether that is set:

First, open the shortcut as follows:

  • Desktop shortcut: right-click the icon, choose Properties
  • Pinned taskbar icon: right-click the icon, right-click Mozilla Firefox, choose Properties

Windows normally will select the Shortcut tab. If not, go ahead and click the Shortcut tab.

You'll see the Target highlighted. On 64-bit Windows, that usually is no more and no less than the following:

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe"

If anything follows after that, try clearing it out.

After OK'ing the Properties dialog, you can test right away to confirm that Firefox now launches only your home page. Either:

  • double-click desktop shortcut
  • right-click pinned taskbar icon, click Mozilla Firefox

Success?

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Yeah I've tried that too it says "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe"

it still launches the weird tab.

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Okay, try the Clean Reinstall and see whether that helps.