Type about:addons<enter> in the address bar to open your Add-ons Manager. Hot key; (<Control> [Mac=<Command>] <Shift> A)

In the Add-ons Manager, on the left, select Extensions. Remove “ Google “ Anything.

Also remove SafeSearch, SearchAssist Incognito, FileConverter Addon, SearchLock, DiscreteSearch, WebSearch, Findwide Search Engine

Now do the same in the computer’s Programs Folder.

Windows: Start > Control Panel > Uninstall Programs. Mac: Open the Applications folder. Linux: Check your user manual.

You may have ad/mal-ware. Further information can be found in this article; https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-firefox-issues-caused-malware?cache=no

Run most or all of the listed malware scanners. Each works differently. If one program misses something, another may pick it up.

I can't use the address bar, typing in about.addon will also redirect to Google. I don't have any of those programs on my computer.

I've run Superantispyware and it only found tracking cookies, no spyware.

misfitoys said

I can't use the address bar,

Hot key; (<Control> [Mac=<Command>] <Shift> A)

I've run Superantispyware and it only found tracking cookies, no spyware.

Run most or all of the listed malware scanners. Each works differently. If one program misses something, another may pick it up.

I get the same result with hot key. I ran 3 different malware scanners, and they found none. This is the only thing that I have re-directing. I don't get unusual pop-ups or anything.

misfitoys said

I get the same result with hot key. I ran 3 different malware scanners, and they found none. This is the only thing that I have re-directing. I don't get unusual pop-ups or anything.

Hi, please run this one if you have not yet. https://www.hitmanpro.com/ You can also go here to make sure :

• https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/9573-im-infected-what-do-i-do-now/

Do what the URL wants you to do and make a account and post, upload and wait.

There are some extensions that somehow bypass the add-ons page. Those need to be removed and reported so they can be taken down.

To get a look at your extensions, you can restart Firefox in its Safe Mode. In that mode, Firefox temporarily deactivates extensions.

If Firefox is not running: Hold down the Shift key when starting Firefox.

If Firefox is running: You can restart Firefox in Safe Mode using either:

• "3-bar" menu button > "?" Help > Restart with Add-ons Disabled
• Help menu > Restart with Add-ons Disabled

and OK the restart.

Both scenarios: A small dialog should appear. Click "Start in Safe Mode" (not Refresh).

Then hopefully, you can open the Add-ons page using 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 extensions Firefox installs for built-in features are hidden from this page, so everything listed here is your choice (and your responsibility) to manage. Anything suspicious or that you just do not remember installing or why? If in doubt, disable (or remove).

Let us know if you figure out the name of the culprit.

misfitoys said

I can't use the address bar, typing in about.addon will also redirect to Google.

about:addons with a : which is a colon and not a period.

Yes there is or were fake "Firefox requires a manual update" pages that attempted to trick people into installing what they thought was a Firefox update but was really a Extension, usually with FF at start of the fake extension name.

The use of FF in name alone was a clue it was not real as Mozilla would refer to Firefox as Firefox or Fx as abbreviation and never FF. See FAQ here if you do not believe me.

These malicious extensions basically made it so you could not access about:addons until they were removed.

The blocklist on addons.mozilla.org/blocked/ has several of these variations blocked.

Refreshing Firefox {web link} is a LAST RESORT ! !

Refreshing Firefox -- easily fix most problems

If you're having problems with Firefox, refreshing it can help. The refresh feature fixes many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your essential information like bookmarks and open tabs. Everything else, like user settings and add-ons, are removed.

Or just teach people the basics of using the ProfileManager and Profiles as Refresh is just a awkward way of creating a new Profile while only keeping some of the settings.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profile-manager-create-and-remove-firefox-profiles

Problem solved!

James, I have seen the fake Firefox update pages but have not clicked on them. I was able to get to the add-ons on my laptop and there wasn't anything funny there, but in safe mode on the desktop (where the problem was) I did see one of the problem extensions mentioned in FredMcD's first post. I think it was Findwide Search Engine. I deleted it before I took notice of the name because I knew that it wasn't something that I had added.

Thank you jscher2000 for suggesting safe mode. That helped me find the problem. And thanks James, FredMcD, Pkshadow for your help, too!