Join us and the lead editor of IRL, Mozilla's multi-award-winning podcast, for a behind-the-scenes look at the pod and to contribute your ideas for the next season, themed: "AI and ME." Mark your calendar and join our Community Call on Wednesday, Aug 7, 17:00–17:45 UTC. See you there!

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

Cuireadh an snáithe seo sa chartlann. Cuir ceist nua má tá cabhair uait.

My search engine keeps changing back to default

  • 3 fhreagra
  • 1 leis an bhfadhb seo
  • 6 views
  • Freagra is déanaí ó alvisemori

alvisemori
alvisemori
more options

I've been using Firefox on Mac for several years now, and I've recently changed my laptop to a newer MacBook Pro. Upon reinstalling Firefox, I've selected Google as my preferred search engine; but every now and then (think 2/3 days) I open Firefox to find all my address bar searches land on Yahoo.

It never happened on my old laptop, and I can't figure out why it happens. Anyone has any clue? Thanks!

I've been using Firefox on Mac for several years now, and I've recently changed my laptop to a newer MacBook Pro. Upon reinstalling Firefox, I've selected Google as my preferred search engine; but every now and then (think 2/3 days) I open Firefox to find all my address bar searches land on Yahoo. It never happened on my old laptop, and I can't figure out why it happens. Anyone has any clue? Thanks!

All Replies (3)

Standard8
Standard8
more options

This is most likely a third party application or maybe adware that is changing your default engine from outside of Firefox.

Try using the free version of Malwarebytes or something similar to check for any adware on your machine.

Let us know what you find.

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

You can check for recently installed suspicious or unknown extensions.

Start Firefox in Troubleshoot Mode to check if one of the extensions ("3-bar" menu button or Tools -> Add-ons -> Extensions) or if hardware acceleration or userChrome.css is causing the problem.

  • switch to the DEFAULT theme: "3-bar" menu button or Tools -> Add-ons -> Themes
  • do NOT click the "Refresh Firefox" button on the Troubleshoot Mode start window
alvisemori
alvisemori Úinéir na ceiste
more options

Standard8 said
This is most likely a third party application or maybe adware that is changing your default engine from outside of Firefox. Try using the free version of Malwarebytes or something similar to check for any adware on your machine. Let us know what you find.

Thanks, it looks like the problem is indeed this! A browser hijacker called k2fhblk somehow find its way to my Mac. I'm working now to get rid of it.