Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Why am I being sent to websites not chosen

  • 7 replies
  • 53 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by jeffro0625

more options

I am running Firefox 3.6 just upgraded today. I am running on a PC with Windows Vista. I also use Yahoo as my homepage. When I do a search Yahoo (also tried Google with same result) I get my usual list of suggested websites for my search, BUT when I click on a legitimate link such as www.molottery.com sometimes I will be redirected to an ad site. I say sometimes ( I mean roughly every other search.) Now if on the first try I get the MO Lottery website and I hit the back button then change the search to Missouri Conservation and click the link I know belongs to them I may or may not get that page. I did catch something about nhost? redirecting me? Often I can not use the back button once directed to these ad sites. It just brings me right back to the ad. I do not get the same results if I click on a bookmark or type the address directly into the address bar. Is this some kind of advertising done by Firefox? I have tried and this is not happening in my IE8. If this is a Firefox thing I will not use it.

I am running Firefox 3.6 just upgraded today. I am running on a PC with Windows Vista. I also use Yahoo as my homepage. When I do a search Yahoo (also tried Google with same result) I get my usual list of suggested websites for my search, BUT when I click on a legitimate link such as www.molottery.com sometimes I will be redirected to an ad site. I say sometimes ( I mean roughly every other search.) Now if on the first try I get the MO Lottery website and I hit the back button then change the search to Missouri Conservation and click the link I know belongs to them I may or may not get that page. I did catch something about nhost? redirecting me? Often I can not use the back button once directed to these ad sites. It just brings me right back to the ad. I do not get the same results if I click on a bookmark or type the address directly into the address bar. Is this some kind of advertising done by Firefox? I have tried and this is not happening in my IE8. If this is a Firefox thing I will not use it.

All Replies (7)

more options

We don't put advertisements out.. It is with your search engine. Do you use the Yahoo Homepage or the Location Bar? If any advertisement it is Google or Yahoo or even the website your trying to access.. However I tried both websites and had no problem. I tried about 3 times each.. I will keep looking into your problem and get in touch with you as soon as I find out more on this Forum post.

Thanks for using Firefox!

more options

It is good to here it is not FireFox yet it only happens in FireFox. I still have Internet Explorer installed and it does not do it on there. It is just not the websites I gave as examples those are just sites I am familiar with that I know there address and that have not redirected me to anything in the past. I got the same result doing a search for Twitter and Facebook too. I tried this with Yahoo homepage and searching from www.google.com. It does not matter what I have searched for "Game Maker Files" "Missouri Lattery" or whatever. The usual search results come up and when I pick a known, working site that has never redirected me before, now I get redirected. Here is a url I snagged from the address bar after I clicked on www.cnet.com - http://clicks.bestsearchall.com/xtr_new?q=cnet&enk=JqkGgSbJJokn44bjJuPmiUaRJ+MmkQe55sHmiQeZj4k=

more options

You may have picked up a re-direct virus. Do a thorough scan for malware.

Download, install and update as many of the following as possible until your infections are cleaned.

  1. The free versions of these scanners will detect infections and clean your system; no need to purchase
  2. Different malware scanners detect some malware that other scanners do not.
  3. Some stubborn malware will need to be removed in Windows Safe Mode with Networking

If these don't find or can't clear the infection(s), post in one of these forums for specialized malware removal help:

  1. Read and follow their rules for posting
  2. Follow their instructions to the letter
  3. Be patient; you are put in a queue and you will get a response when they get to your post


Unrelated to your problem, but important. You have 2 out-of-date plugins with known security issues. You need to update your plugins.

  • Adobe PDF Plug-In For Firefox and Netscape 8.2.5
    • Very old version. You may want to un-install the old version in Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs before installing the current version.
  • Java Plug-in 1.6.0_03 for Netscape Navigator (DLL Helper)
    • Very old version. You may want to un-install the old version before installing the current version; link to removal instructions below.
  1. Check your plugin versions: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/plugincheck/
    • Note: plugin check page does not have information on all plugin versions
  2. Update Adobe Reader (PDF plugin):
    • From within your existing Adobe Reader (if you have it already installed):
      • Open the Adobe Reader program from your Programs list
      • Click Help > Check for Updates
      • Follow the prompts for updating
      • If this method works for you, skip the "Download complete installer" section below and proceed to "After the installation" below
    • Download complete installer (if you do NOT have Adobe Reader installed):
      • Use Firefox to download and SAVE the installer to your hard drive from the link in the article below
      • On the Adobe page, un-check any extra items (i.e. Free McAfee® Security Scan Plus) then click Download button
      • If you see message just under tabs, DO NOT click the Allow button, instead click below that where it says "click here to download".
      • Click "Save to File"; save to your Desktop (so you can find it)
      • After download completes, close Firefox
      • Click the installer you just downloaded and allow the install to continue
        • Note: Vista and Win7 users may need to right-click the installer and choose "Run as Administrator"
      • Download link and more information: https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Using+the+Adobe+Reader+plugin+with+Firefox#Installing_and_updating_Adobe_Reader
    • After the installation, start Firefox and check your version again.
  3. Update Java:
more options

I am having a similar issue... and it is becoming a REAL PROBLEM. I click on links that I have used numerous times, and am instead being redirected to a SPAM page or unrelated ad page. This is happening constantly, and did not start to happen until I updated FF to its current version. I have run several antivirus and trojan programs and there is no malware or virus of any kind on my system. My FF browser is just being hijacked with each link click to another site. Also, I keep getting a 'server not found' message when I click on links... to links I know are active and available. I am a long time user of FF and have never seen anything like this before. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Modified by patrickmurphy

more options

I will try to remove Mallware but just a heads up as patrick says above. This DID NOT start until I upgraded to the newer version. I have only been using Firefox for a week so not nearly as long as patrick but it did not do this until I upgraded today. Then on the 2nd search BAM redirected. I surely did not pick up mallware on my very first search. Could the Firefox update be infected in some way????? It is something worth checking into. Also like I stated before, it is not affecting my other browsers I use.

more options

Patrick, I found out I did have Malware on my PC. The way I figured out was I went to http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php suggested by Helper and downloaded it. After install I COULD NOT RUN IT! I then searched the Net and found this is another sign of being hijacked by Malware. I got instructions on what to do at -http://www.myantispyware.com/2009/06/08/malwarebytes-wont-install-run-or-update-how-to-fix-it/#more-2347 So I am now working to remove the malware. I hope this helps!

more options

I have the same problem....when going to do a google search, I typed in browser keeps redirecting me to a different website, it comes up with this: http://whatsinnews.com/a1/search.php?qq=browser+keeps+redirecting+me. I've ran several anti-malware, anti-virus, anti-rootkit with no success, even uninstalled firefox and reinstalled, with no luck.