Why do I get a delayed, sponsored result at the top of the results?
Using Firefox, when I do a Google search I get a list of returns, and just as I'm about to click on one of the returns, a new one pops up a the top of the list, one that is possibly related only because it has one of the same words submitted in the search, but is typically far afield and appears to be a commercial 'leech' attempting to get to their site.
This delayed entry shifts the whole list of returns downward, and if I happen to be clicking on the first entry of the initial list, I end up clicking on the delayed entry. This is annoying in several ways. It delays my search because I've unintentionally clicked on a return I didn't want. More than that, though, is that the delayed return is an insidious form of commercialism, one that defies that usual 'user friendliness' of Firefox.
What is this delayed return about? I don't see anyone else complaining about it. I don't have this experience in Safari, and I was kinda hoping I wouldn't have it on this new machine. But no such luck.
Opaite Mbohovái (2)
The Reset Firefox feature can fix many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your essential information. Note: This will cause you to lose any Extensions, Open websites, and some Preferences.
To Reset Firefox do the following:
- Go to Firefox > Help > Troubleshooting Information.
- Click the "Reset Firefox" button.
- Firefox will close and reset. After Firefox is done, it will show a window with the information that is imported. Click Finish.
- Firefox will open with all factory defaults applied.
Further information can be found in the Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings article.
Did this fix your problems? Please report back to us!
Do a malware check with some malware scanning programs on the Windows computer.
You need to scan with all programs because each program detects different malware.
Make sure that you update each program to get the latest version of their databases before doing a scan.
- http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php - Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
- http://www.superantispyware.com/ - SuperAntispyware
- http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx - Microsoft Safety Scanner
- http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx - Windows Defender: Home Page
- http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html - Spybot Search & Destroy
- Kasperky Free Security Scan: http://www.kaspersky.com/security-scan
You can also do a check for a rootkit infection with TDSSKiller.
See also:
- "Spyware on Windows": http://kb.mozillazine.org/Popups_not_blocked