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

I've had a hostile take over on my internet web browser.How can I stop another website's either third party or so from controling star page load up?

  • 2 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 10 views
  • Last reply by FredMcD

more options

My default web browser is Fire Fox. Lately in the past two weeks, I've had my start-up page for Fire Fox open to some other web site, opening many tabs. I have closed the main page, this stopped the load up to continue. This time when cleaning out with virus check and rebooting. I go to opening my internet again, now it's opening then stopped to "call Microsoft tech support". If I disregard this, it will lock out my access to the internet, which it did. I've rebooted after antivirus check, opened internet, same message, so I called Microsoft tech support, these people tried to sell me a service contract while going through the check. I've learned to disable the problem by anti-malware and anti-spyware. I now have to run these software services every time I open my internet. Please, can any one help me with this, I'm very discouraged and am about to reformat this drive.

My default web browser is Fire Fox. Lately in the past two weeks, I've had my start-up page for Fire Fox open to some other web site, opening many tabs. I have closed the main page, this stopped the load up to continue. This time when cleaning out with virus check and rebooting. I go to opening my internet again, now it's opening then stopped to "call Microsoft tech support". If I disregard this, it will lock out my access to the internet, which it did. I've rebooted after antivirus check, opened internet, same message, so I called Microsoft tech support, these people tried to sell me a service contract while going through the check. I've learned to disable the problem by anti-malware and anti-spyware. I now have to run these software services every time I open my internet. Please, can any one help me with this, I'm very discouraged and am about to reformat this drive.

All Replies (2)

more options

Hi hvfa620, Reformatting the hdd should be a last resort. You will lose information & quite possibly run into the same problem again attempting to restore data, or by visiting the same malware site. You should certainly not try contacting such scam sites.

Try using all the tools mentioned in this article:

If necessary obtain help from one of the free reputable sites mentioned in

You should also check the Firefox shortcuts by right clicking and looking at the icons properties. Probably some rogue site address is appended to the startup link. As a temporary workaround you may be able to bypass that by starting Firefox directly: Use keyboard shortcut Windows Key + R to get a Run dialogue. Type in firefox and hit Enter With any look that will start Firefox, and may avoid the rogue site.

Does that help ?

more options

Some installer programs can download other programs or change user settings without the user's knowledge.

After doing the above; https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-to-fix-preferences-wont-save

Note: Some software, like Advanced SystemCare with Surfing Protection, can protect files in the Firefox profile folder against changes. If you have such software then check the settings or uninstall this software.