Why am I being re-directed when I try to open any link while online?
I click on a link and it usually directs me to a site that wants me to buy something. why?
All Replies (1)
The usual suspect is a bad add-on. Generally speaking, I suggest the following process for cleaning up unwanted software:
Open the Windows Control Panel, Uninstall a Program. 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.
Then, in Firefox, open the Add-ons page using either:
- Ctrl+Shift+a
- "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons
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.
Finally, you can "mop up" remaining issues with the scanning/cleaning tools listed in our support article: Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware.
Are you able to get rid of the redirects?