How do I get read of qto8 ?
Got hijacked by a malware program. Every time I start firefox it goes to qto8.com page instead of my homepage. I went to tools/options/ reset my homepage and nothing. I removed it from the search box by going to manage search engines. I went to the control panel and it doesn't show up there and it doesn't show up when I search for it as a file. I tried to create several different restore points and nothing.
Chosen solution
You've checked a lot of the logical things, and I'll suggest three more:
(1) Shortcut
Right-click the shortcut you use to start Firefox, go to the Shortcut tab, and check the Target line to make sure the URL wasn't added there.
(2) Extension
Add-ons, particularly extensions, can override your own settings. Disable ALL nonessential or unrecognized extensions here:
orange Firefox button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons > Extensions category
Usually a link will appear above at least one disabled extension to restart Firefox. You can complete your work on the tab and click one of the links as the last step.
(3) user.js
External software can create a user.js file which overrides your preferences at startup. This article describes how to track down and remove it: How to fix preferences that won't save.
Any luck?
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Chosen Solution
You've checked a lot of the logical things, and I'll suggest three more:
(1) Shortcut
Right-click the shortcut you use to start Firefox, go to the Shortcut tab, and check the Target line to make sure the URL wasn't added there.
(2) Extension
Add-ons, particularly extensions, can override your own settings. Disable ALL nonessential or unrecognized extensions here:
orange Firefox button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons > Extensions category
Usually a link will appear above at least one disabled extension to restart Firefox. You can complete your work on the tab and click one of the links as the last step.
(3) user.js
External software can create a user.js file which overrides your preferences at startup. This article describes how to track down and remove it: How to fix preferences that won't save.
Any luck?
There may still be something you need to remove at the Windows level.
Does Windows XP let you sort the Add/Remove programs dialog by date? That may help in spotting problem software that has a non-obvious name.
Also, in case you haven't run any supplemental malware scanners, this article suggests a number of free tools that hopefully will help with the clean-up: Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware.
You may also wish to try the searchreset tool