Firefox keeps giving me websearch.tk as my default page, I've uninstalled and re-downloaded firefox, I've scanned my computer and it won't stop.
I have been having a problem with firefox for windows 8.1 as of late. It's been resetting my homepage to websearch.tk and other variations of the same name, I've learned it's a broswer hijacker and I've tried uninstalling firefox and reinstalling it, I've used many anti-malware and anti-adware scanners [e.g. malwarebytes, AdwCleaner, Hitman], and I've done thorough computer scans with AVG, ZoneAlarm and Avast. It keeps coming back and the only remedy for it is to reset Firefox, which I've also done many times. This is annoying and worrying, as I do not visit questionable sites, nor do I download things. Until I get an answer for what's going on I'm going to switch to GoogleChrome.
All Replies (4)
Hi
I am sorry to hear that. I strongly recommend following the steps and advice in this article.
If this does not work, please come back here and we will see what we can do to help.
When does the home page change:
- Only when you shut down Windows and start it back up again
- Every time you exit and start Firefox back up again
- As soon as you close Options (i.e., Firefox won't let you change it)
- Home page is correct (Ctrl+n is right), but using the Firefox shortcut to open a Firefox window gives the unwanted page
- Home page is correct, shortcut is not hijacked, but first window at startup gives the unwanted page, or home page setting changes randomly
For #1, consider whether you have any utilities that run at Windows startup which might be cleaning up browser data.
For #2, please see this article: How to fix preferences that won't save. Also, some utility software such as Advanced SystemCare have browser protection features to roll back settings changes between Firefox sessions. Disable those feature to preserve your sanity.
For #3, check the Windows Control Panel for "SearchProtect" and remove it.
For #4, check for a hijacked "Target" in the shortcut. Right-click the shortcut > Properties > Shortcut tab, the target should be no more and no less than the following for 64-bit Windows 8.1:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe"
For #5, I would suspect a bad add-on. Here's my suggested procedure for tracking down and cleaning up bad add-ons. 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. Be suspicious of everything you do not recognize/remember, as malware often uses important or innocent sounding names to discourage you from removing it. 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.
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?
Please open firefox, and type about:support into the address bar. Press Enter. Then, copy that information and place it here.