Yahoo sets its self as the default search engine.
To be more specific... This started happening after I downloaded Freemake, an audio conversion software. As soon as I downloaded it, I unchecked the option to make Yahoo my default search engine. Even though I said no, it still set it as default. I ran Malware Bytes I ran Iobit Malware I ran SuperAntiSpyware I ran AVG Antivirus. I also performed EVERY suggested fix from the Mozilla support. I checked to make sure my shortcut had not been fixed. The target is proper. It is here: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" I did the Windows + R command, and hit Firefox.exe. It opened up, and went to Google.com as default. But when I open it with the shortcut pined to my taskbar, it opens up to yahoo. And its not even a normal yahoo. I went into the about:home thing. I found the default home page and search. It was yahoo. I changed it to google. That fixed the problem. But then later it came back. I changed it again, restarted my computer. It came back. I took the Firefox shortcut off of my task bar, and replaced it with the proper shortcut. And the problem still persists.
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What is the "not normal" Yahoo address you get directed to? I see you posted that while I was busy typing, thanks.
After you change your home page and default search engine back to what you want, how long does it stick -- for the rest of your Firefox session (until you exit out of Firefox), until you restart Windows, or some other interval?
This article covers some reasons that settings may change between sessions: How to fix preferences that won't save. Since you mentioned IObit, beware of the Surfing Protection feature of Advanced SystemCare, which may restore previous settings whether you want them or not.
The following may cover some familiar ground, but just in case:
Firefox extensions and external software can change and override your home page. Here's my suggested procedure for tracking down and cleaning up bad add-ons, hijackers, and other troublemakers. 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. Take out as much trash as possible here. (If in doubt, feel free to post a screenshot.)
(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. Bear in mind that all extensions are optional.
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.
Any improvement?
Modified by jscher2000 - Support Volunteer