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Every webpage defaults to agvzvwof.com but Internet Explorer ok

  • 4 replies
  • 1 has this problem
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  • Last reply by cor-el

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I have used ebay today and like many others (from a searh using Internet Explorer) am unable to now use Firefox. Every page I select opens but then switches to agvzvwof.com. Obviously I can use Internet Explorer to avoid this but I don't want to switch back - I like using Firefox!

I have used ebay today and like many others (from a searh using Internet Explorer) am unable to now use Firefox. Every page I select opens but then switches to agvzvwof.com. Obviously I can use Internet Explorer to avoid this but I don't want to switch back - I like using Firefox!

All Replies (4)

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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 that you update each program to get the latest version of their databases before doing a scan.

You can also do a check for a rootkit infection with TDSSKiller.

See also:

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I think the most likely culprit is a bad add-on or two. Here's my suggested procedure for tracking down and removing bad add-ons and other ad injectors and redirectors. I know it seems long, but it's not that bad.

(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 in smoking out undisclosed bundle items that snuck in with some software you agreed to install. Don't be fooled by seemingly innocent or important names if you do not remember choosing to install them. Take out as much trash as possible here.

(2) Open Firefox's Add-ons page using either:

  • Ctrl+Shift+a
  • "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons
  • in the Windows "Run" dialog, type or paste
    firefox.exe "about:addons"

In the left column, click Plugins. Set nonessential and unrecognized plugins to "Never Activate".

In the left column, click Extensions. Then, if in doubt, disable (or Remove, if possible) unrecognized and unwanted extensions. (Note: you might not be able to manually Disable extensions in Safe Mode because they are disabled automatically.)

Often 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.

Any improvement?

(3) 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.

Success?

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This seems strange but on AVG's forums, some are blaming AVG Safeguard or an AVG Toolbar for this:

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