Select the ‘ Reset Firefox‘ button at the top right of the new Web page.

Select ‘Troubleshooting information’ in the slide-out menu.

Select the question-mark icon at the bottom of the drop-down menu.

Bookmarks and saved passwords will stay intact. It’ll also turn off all extensions so you can start fresh. You can reset Firefox to factory defaults, which will get rid of any search engine or home page preferences. If your browser has already been taken hostage, there’s hope. What do you do if you’re already been hijacked? Always be thoughtful about agreeing to messages that pop up in your browser. This is so common that we wrote an article about how to clean it out of your browser. Some translation software and even antivirus or adware removal software can do this. Some malicious software spoofs or imitates legitimate software, tricking you into downloading.Įven some legitimate software can hijack your browser. In other cases, maybe you were searching for a common extension or app and mistyped the name into a search window or the browser bar. Take your time here and read what they’re asking you to do.

It usually involves tiny print or check boxes. This happens when downloading an app or browser extension from the web and you’re flying through the install process agreeing to prompts on the fly. Often hijackers try to take over your browser with your permission.

They can change your browser settings, including your homepage and search engine preference. Hijackers often redirect your traffic to ad-heavy sites and inject ads directly into your browser. Your browser has been hijacked, and it’s time to take it back.Ī browser is hijacked by software that has been installed on your system, sometimes something you’ve installed on purpose, sometimes something you’ve installed without knowing it. Tabs open up in the background and pop-up ads swarm your browser like mosquitoes on a warm night. Your homepage is now a billboard for the most dubious products and services. You’re looking for a cornbread recipe, but your search is redirected to a site crammed with ads.

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