What happens if you try to change the browser.newtab.url pref to about:newtab?

Start Firefox in Safe Mode to check if one of the extensions (Firefox/Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions) or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem (switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox/Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Appearance).

• Do NOT click the Reset button on the Safe Mode start window.

• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Safe+Mode
• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Troubleshooting+extensions+and+themes

If you do not keep changes after a restart or otherwise have problems with preferences, see:

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Preferences_not_saved

Thanks, it seemed changing to about:newtab solved the problem.

• EDIT*

Turns our after restarting the problem still exists and the browser.newtab.url is STILL set to the Conduit search engine.

I completely uninstalled firefox including all my preferences and plugins and such and even after that it still persists.

This same conduit problem appeared on my computer about two weeks ago. If I change the home page on my browser, conduit somehow reestablishes itself as my home page. I get frequent popups now, which was never a problem before, despite having my Firefox browser set to block popups. When I click on websites after doing a search, I am sometimes redirected to another site; this site appears as a new tab along side the tab of the site that I requested. Norton 360 found no viruses, and the Norton Power Eraser found no malware. I know this info adds nothing new to the discussion but perhaps helps define the breadth of the problem.

I had gotten rid of all this aggravating crap on my computer a while back, but then tonite I had to download a registry scan program, and somehow about nine zillion virus scanners had downloaded with it, it removed my opening settings, it removed some other stuff, I forget what now I am so mad... AND this bitch conduit crap and BING are back on here! I have gone to the options and manage addons and manage search engines, and have REMOVED those from my computer, supposedly, and RESET my opening tabs AGAIN. BUT! If I click open a new tab, freaking searchconduit is RIGHT THERE, even though SUPPOSEDLY it doesn't exist on my computer! Bing is there too until I click around and then the "correct" stuff comes up, but only after flipping out and "DOING" something to it! I really hate this crap! If I don't want something on my gd computer, then I don't want it on here. I would love to horsewhip whomever thinks this crap is cute. fuckers! NO I am not EVEN being polite I am so mad!

Didi you check the Firefox profile folder for a possible user.js file?

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Preferences_not_saved

You also need to check "Control Panel > Programs" in Windoes for suspicious and other recently installed programs.

You can use the MSConfig program or the Autoruns utility to see which software and services are getting started (be cautious with disabling services).

• http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx

I noticed a lot of help that suggested registry changes, something I do not feel qualified to do. After trying all the delete suggestions, it kept coming back. Finally I went to tools, options, general and selected "Mozilla Firefox Start Page" as My Home Page. However, when I open a new tab, the Search Conduit comes up. Click the home page icon and back to normal.

I actually managed to solve it a couple of days ago, I just haven't had a chance to post yet. Turns out there was a program listed on the control panel to uninstall something by Conduit, I can't remember the exact name unfortunately. Although, after uninstalling it the newtab page was reset to default.

Hi dear,

I can understand your frustration which you are going through, I can tell you few steps to remove all this unnecessary toolbars and extensions from Mozilla firefox. Below mentioned instructions can help you to get rid of toolbars and extensions.

Step 1 Go to Menu bar in FF In Menu bar you find "Add-ons" click on it Click on "Extensions" and disable any such unnecessary one (this way you can learn ,||edit by a forum moderator. Please do not post links to sites advertising & providing paid for support to remove malware.||

 babyloon, ask, yontoo etc.)

Step 2 Go to Menu bar in FF Click "Options" In 'General Tab' set your default home page in "Home page" bar And Click 'OK'

Simply done, now restart your browser and happy surfing. :)

In addition to changing the < browser.newtab.url > in < about:config > to the search engine you want to use or the default setting ( described in previous posts ), I removed the Conduit files using "Iobit Uninstaller". It's a free program. It also is one of the tools in "Advanced System Care" program. This will completely remove it. This also removed the addon extensions to Conduit. Also, in FF's browser in the right hand side search screen click the down arrow. All the way at the bottom click on "Manage Search Engines". Now, click on the Conduit search engine, then click on " Remove". This should take care of it. Note: I removed Conduit first before I went into about:config to change the settings.

I just had the same thing happen to me today where Firefox switched to Conduit and Bing. It was infuriating to say the least(almost put my fist through the computer screen), however I believe it was my fault seeing as how I was looking for a PDF file creator and instead of paying $90.00 a year for Acrobat to create PDF files, I downloaded a "free" program from cnet. Unaware of the other programs it installed, one of those was "Conduit" and "Advance System Care", among others. This changed the Firefox settings to Conduit and Bing. Avast even blared out that the programs being installed were a threat.....should have known.

This is how I corrected it and it is fine now. Back to Firefox with Google, no problems.

First, I uninstalled all the programs this "free" pdf creator program installed including the programs Conduit, Advanced System Care, and all others. Next, I ran an Avast virus scan as well as Malwarebytes to clean up all the crap it installed. Next, I did a system restore to a point 3 days ago prior to installing this crap.

So far, so good and Firefox is back to normal. Hope this helps someone.

Is it better than Revo Uninstaller? The only problem... I can find search conduit on Chrome and and change things back. But I can't find it on Firefox! And on Internet Explorer some of the toolbars it doesn't give the option to remove but just disable! There is also a coupon toolbar on IE that it doesn't give the option to remove! And even though I can find search conduit on the toolbar, I can't find it on my computer so Revo Uninstaller can remove it! I know how to go to programs to uninstall things but other than that I'm really not sure! So if you can help... details please! Thanks!!!

Use Uninstall in Control Panel to remove 'search protector' and don't check any boxes that promise to protect your search panel from hijacking!