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Google Search seems to have been hacked on Firefox. Every search brings up a McAfee Web Advisor warning about this site, which seems to be nonexistent: http://g

Firefox Privacy and security
jscher2000 -... replied 9 years ago
connexbern
connexbern

Google Search seems to have been hacked on Firefox. Every search brings up a McAfee Web Advisor warning about this site, which seems to be nonexistent: http://go.amroute.net/v1/hoste… I've been unwilling to take the risk. In Chrome, Google Search is not affected.

Google Search seems to have been hacked on Firefox. Every search brings up a McAfee Web Advisor warning about this site, which seems to be nonexistent: http://go.amroute.net/v1/hoste… I've been unwilling to take the risk. In Chrome, Google Search is not affected.

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jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer

Two possible explanations for web content contamination are:

(1) Bad add-on (2) Intermediary modifying sites between the server and your browser

For #1:

One possible culprit would be an extension. You can view, disable, and often remove unwanted or unknown extensions on the Add-ons page. Either:

  • Ctrl+Shift+a (Mac: Command+Shift+a)
  • "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons
  • type or paste about:addons in the address bar and press Enter/Return

In the left column of the Add-ons page, click Extensions. Then cast a critical eye over the list on the right side. Any "system" extensions that Firefox installs on its own are hidden from this page, so everything listed here is your choice (and your responsibility) to manage. Anything suspicious? If in doubt, disable.

Sometimes a link will appear above a disabled extension to restart Firefox before the change takes effect. You can complete your work on the tab and click one of the links as the last step.

Any improvement?

For #2:

Setting aside a system-level interceptor such as security or parental control software, you can check Firefox's connection setting here:

  • Windows: "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Options
  • Mac: "3-bar" menu button (or Firefox menu) > Preferences
  • Linux: "3-bar" menu button (or Edit menu) > Preferences
  • Any system: type or paste about:preferences into the address bar and press Enter/Return to load it

Firefox 56-58: In the search box at the top of the page on the right side, type proxy and Firefox should filter to the "Settings" button, which you can click.

Firefox 38-55: In the left column, click Advanced. Then on the right side, with the "Network" mini-tab active, click the "Settings" button.

In All Versions: The default of "Use system proxy settings" piggybacks on your Windows/IE "LAN" setting. "Auto-detect" can lead to a flaky connection. You may want to try "No proxy".

Any difference?