Windows 10 reached EOS (end of support) on October 14, 2025. If you are on Windows 10, see this article.

Avatar for Username

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

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

https://search-owl.com hijacker

  • 3 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 163 views
  • Last reply by Mark

Dummy Dummy
Dummy Dummy

The very first time I opened Firefox and tried to do a search I got a hijacker:

https://search-owl.com/?path=firefox/newtab&u=895622cd6e29c107&subid=11118&channel=18

Why?

I did a scan with both Malwarebytes and with TotalAV, no detections.

I stopped using Chrome and Brave because I had another hijacker (Yohoo!). I used Malwarebytes to quarantine and delete that because my paid subscription to TotalAV didn't find it. Now I'm stuck with an all new different hijacker upon installation of Firefox.

The very first time I opened Firefox and tried to do a search I got a hijacker: https://search-owl.com/?path=firefox/newtab&u=895622cd6e29c107&subid=11118&channel=18 Why? I did a scan with both Malwarebytes and with TotalAV, no detections. I stopped using Chrome and Brave because I had another hijacker (Yohoo!). I used Malwarebytes to quarantine and delete that because my paid subscription to TotalAV didn't find it. Now I'm stuck with an all new different hijacker upon installation of Firefox.

Modified by Dummy Dummy

All Replies (3)

Mark
Mark

Go to Settings -> Search -> Search Shortcuts (at the bottom), and view the search engines that are checked. Remove any search engines you don't want to use by clicking on its bar and then the Remove button. Now make a search. Is the issue persisting?

If so, open Firefox in Troubleshoot Mode (Hamburger menu -> Help -> Troubleshoot Mode...). Then, try to search again. If the issue is fixed, it is likely one of your extensions that is causing this issue. Open Firefox in Standard Mode, disable extensions one at a time, making a search after every change. If disabling an extension fixes the issue, remove that extension.

Off-Grid Wannabe
Off-Grid Wannabe

Loaned my laptop to someone (ex wife), got it back and looks like search owl has hijacked firefox. Tried the above suggestions, still happens. What will happen if I uninstall and re-install? This is what y'all mean by a clean install, right? OP says Malwarebytes and TotalAV didn't find anything. Possibly McAfee or Avast might?

Mark
Mark

If opening Firefox in Troubleshoot Mode does not solve the issue, a Firefox extension is not the cause.

Does the search hijacker persist if you try searching with other browsers on that same device?

If using Windows: What are the results of running a Windows Defender scan? In your Windows settings, you should be able to access a comprehensive list of apps on the device. Do you see any suspicious apps? If so, click on the three dots for that respective app and uninstall it.