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Just got the latest FF update and Adaware Secure Search showed up in my addons. There's no option to remove it.

  • 16 replies
  • 1 has this problem
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  • Last reply by timadak

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Windows 10 Pro, Version 1903, OS Build 18362.418 FF 70.0 (64 bit)

Let me preface this with saying I worked in IT for a long time. I'm stumped on this one.

FF worked fine on 10/22/19. Tried opening FF on 10/23/19 and it kept crashing. I started the task of finding out why.

Opened in Safe Mode and saw the latest FF update. Also discovered a new addon that I did not install: Adaware Secure Search. It wasn't there the last time I reviewed addons (which I do frequently, trying to find the best addon's for my usage) and I hadn't installed anything new recently. Disabled Adaware and FF started opening properly.

I don't want Adaware Secure Search however there is no Remove option in the dropdown. So, I started hunting online to try and remove it.

It is not in the Control Panel. It is not in the registry - I searched in every folder. Ran MalwareBytes and other tools - they don't see Adaware Secure Search anywhere. I followed the instructions that required the use of Troubleshooting and found Adaware is also not in my FF profile (that I can tell - the .xpi files are difficult to figure out since the majority are in number value). Tried refreshing FF and it showed up again. Un/re-installed FF and there it is again!...but this time i had the "joy" of having to redo my tabs, etc. It isn't on my other browsers either, just FF.

How do I get this removed? I don't want it to somehow become enabled in my system.

Windows 10 Pro, Version 1903, OS Build 18362.418 FF 70.0 (64 bit) Let me preface this with saying I worked in IT for a long time. I'm stumped on this one. FF worked fine on 10/22/19. Tried opening FF on 10/23/19 and it kept crashing. I started the task of finding out why. Opened in Safe Mode and saw the latest FF update. Also discovered a new addon that I did not install: Adaware Secure Search. It wasn't there the last time I reviewed addons (which I do frequently, trying to find the best addon's for my usage) and I hadn't installed anything new recently. Disabled Adaware and FF started opening properly. I don't want Adaware Secure Search however there is no Remove option in the dropdown. So, I started hunting online to try and remove it. It is not in the Control Panel. It is not in the registry - I searched in every folder. Ran MalwareBytes and other tools - they don't see Adaware Secure Search anywhere. I followed the instructions that required the use of Troubleshooting and found Adaware is also not in my FF profile (that I can tell - the .xpi files are difficult to figure out since the majority are in number value). Tried refreshing FF and it showed up again. Un/re-installed FF and there it is again!...but this time i had the "joy" of having to redo my tabs, etc. It isn't on my other browsers either, just FF. How do I get this removed? I don't want it to somehow become enabled in my system.
Attached screenshots

Chosen solution

You can find the install location of a specific extension in the extensions.json file in the profile folder. You can open the extensions.json file in a Firefox tab to use the builtin JSON viewer.

You can use the button on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page to go to the current Firefox profile folder or use the about:profiles page.

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All Replies (16)

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Hi cadwell,

it looks like you're infected with a malware or a browser hijacker.

Check if you have the Webcompanion process in the Windows task manager.

Modified by TyDraniu

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Ok, I did find web companion. It was installed the same day as the FF update.

I was able to uninstall it, then I ran two malware detectors (not simultaneously) to see what the uninstall missed.

I am currently working on cleaning up the registry.

However, Adaware Secure Search is still showing up (disabled) in the FF addons.

I know FF recently changed how it does its security and privacy. I wonder if this is part of it...?

Thank you for your assistance with this and I will keep researching on how to remove this thing that, seemingly, installed itself with the FF update.

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As Lavasoft is the Author of this Extension it was likely installed by a Adware software.

http://www.lavasoft.com/search-safely/ https://www.adaware.com/

This was Not from Mozilla or any Firefox update.

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The only thing that had updated on my system was FireFox.

Timeline: FF wouldn't stay open so had to open in safe mode. Discovered Adaware Secure Search addon that wasn't there before. Researched how to remove it. None of the steps worked. Refreshed FF - didn't work. Un/re-installed FF - addon still there. That's when I had to install my normal extensions.

So, the only thing that updated the same day as Web Companion was FF.

Which is why I said "seemingly".

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It is unlikely FF bundled it.

But it is also unlikely it arrived by itself when nothing else had updated/been installed except FF according to my system.

I'm not going to argue about it. It installed itself somehow.

So, thanks for not giving me info on how to remove the addon instead of information I've already looked up.

Cheers!

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Not the first time I have seen complaints of Lavasoft installing unwanted Extensions in Firefox over the years because of said new software install or a update for the software.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/cannot-remove-add-on-extension-or-theme

You did not mention that you knew it was from Lavasoft in your OP.

If a Firefox install or update were to come with a extension(s) it would have say Mozilla as the Author.

Modified by James

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Thanks but I already explained that I've taken all the steps shown in this video.

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So please mark your post a "Chosen solution".

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Why would I mark anything as the "Chosen Solution??? The problem is not yet solved.

The addon is STILL listed in Firefox. Disabled yet still there.

So, although I'm appreciative of those that posted good information here, what they posted wasn't a solution. it is still ongoing.

I have been working on it.

It is irksome that some posters don't fully read the conversation before posting or requesting closure. And it's not the first time this has happened. Makes one not want to post on these forums.

My third post has this: "Un/re-installed FF - addon still there'. That's when I had to install my normal extensions."

I will not choose any post as the "Chosen Solution" unless, and until, it actually IS the solution.

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Yes, that add-on will still be there because uninstalling Firefox only removes the Firefox program files, uninstalling Firefox doesn't touch the Profile folder which is where add-ons are installed.

Apparently you didn't fully read or fully comprehend the KB article that James referred you to - https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1271289#answer-1261213

specifically this paragraph: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/cannot-remove-add-on-extension-or-theme#w_extensions-installed-by-other-software - and also this paragraph: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/cannot-remove-add-on-extension-or-theme#w_globally-installed-extensions = not installed by Mozilla / Firefox and most of the time not removable thru Firefox, but rather controlled by the application that installed that add-on into the Registry.

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Apparently you didn't read my conversation either. Sigh.

My first post says:Un/re-installed FF and there it is again!

You implied I would have profile files. I've worked with computers for decades and know there are residual files when uninstalling something.

If was my fault for not stating the obvious. To clarify, I did a complete uninstall. No profile, no FF files, nothing, zilch was leftover. It was a fresh install.

And I did read, and fully comprehend, the article James posted. However, I had already done what was mentioned in that article before I had even posted on this forum.

You know what, delete this conversation. I haven't received much help on here.

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cadwellm said

Apparently you didn't read my conversation either. Sigh. My first post says:Un/re-installed FF and there it is again!

This step was useless and completely unnecessary. You should review your list of installed programs and uninstall the program that installed the addon.

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Chosen Solution

You can find the install location of a specific extension in the extensions.json file in the profile folder. You can open the extensions.json file in a Firefox tab to use the builtin JSON viewer.

You can use the button on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page to go to the current Firefox profile folder or use the about:profiles page.

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Yes! This is the type of information I was talking about getting! Found the dratted thing and it is now gone.

Thank you very much Cor-el, you don't know how I appreciate getting this resolved!!!!

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have the same problem...even i installed a clean windows on my pc and downloaded only firefox the adaware search site shows....i think its in my safe sites stored with firefox.....i am not a pro in pcstuff....tried to find in my profil....nothing.....tried to understand json view.....no clue....please help...because this adaware site is only a firefox problem....because new partion with new windows and only firefox on it?.........