Update July 2019! What is Firefox Redirect “Virus”? What does Firefox Redirect “Virus” do? How to get rid of Firefox Redirect “Virus”?
SIDENOTE: This post was originally published in May 2015. But we gave it an update in July 2019.
Firefox redirect “virus” is a browser hijacker. Some users refer to the hijacker as a virus due to its capabilities to alter both browser and system settings. The default search engine and homepage may also be changed without the user’s knowledge as a result of the Firefox redirect “virus”. New tabs may also be added to the browser. Furthermore, Firefox redirect “virus” may insert numerous pop-up advertisements into Mozilla Firefox.
Threat Summary
| Name | Firefox redirect virus |
| Type | Browser Hijacker, Adware, PUP |
| Short Description | Aims to modify web browser settings in order to collect data and display redirects and other types of ads. |
| Symptoms | As a result of the unwanted redirects, your computer may be slower. Various advertisements may be displayed. It may also change your search engine or install extra undesired applications. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages, Suspicious Websites |
| Detection Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool |
| User Experience | Join Our Foru |
Firefox Redirect “Virus” – Update July 2019
As evident by multiple user reports, Mozilla Firefox is not the only browser or search engine that is affected by unwanted and potentially malicious redirects. Below you can find a list of currently active redirects that you should be aware of:
Firefox Redirect “Virus” Distribution Method
The Firefox redirect “virus” may be a result of the download of a freeware package. The PUP that is causing the redirect may have been available as an optional download in freeware/ shareware bundles. Bundled downloads are often used by developers and marketers for financial aids. Developers tend to pack their products to monetize various platforms or to cover money losses. Bundling may not be an illegal action, but it can be done in quite a misleading manner. As a result, the user is unaware of additional products.
Bundling can be bypassed by choosing the custom installer and deselecting added software pieces.
Firefox Redirect Virus Description and Threat Evaluation
Browser hijackers may not be malicious, but they cause certain problems on an affected PC. The home page and search provider may be altered without the user’s consent. Using the search provider sponsored by Firefox redirect may seriously harm the user’s online security. Such search engines are reported to display predefined results. Clicking any of the given results may redirect the user to attack’s websites. Lastly, hijackers may alter the Windows registry so that their removal is more difficult.
Firefox redirect virus Removal Options
To clean their systems of Firefox redirect “virus”, affected users should consider cleaning their systems via a powerful AV solution. Such a tool will detect and clean all threats. The steps provided below will be of help.
For future reference, always opt for the advanced installer to stay protected against suspicious software infiltration.
Milena Dimitrova
An inspired writer and content manager who has been with SensorsTechForum since the beginning. Focused on user privacy and malware development, she strongly believes in a world where cybersecurity plays a central role. If common sense makes no sense, she will be there to take notes. Those notes may later turn into articles! Follow Milena @Milenyim
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- Guide 1: How to Remove Firefox redirect virus from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Firefox redirect virus from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove Firefox redirect virus from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase Firefox redirect virus from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall Firefox redirect virus from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove Firefox redirect virus from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate Firefox redirect virus from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove Firefox redirect virus from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Firefox redirect virus
Step 2: Uninstall Firefox redirect virus and related software from Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Firefox redirect virus on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Firefox redirect virus there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Get rid of Firefox redirect virus from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Firefox redirect virus and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove Firefox redirect virus via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 2: Scan for and remove malware from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts, programs and malware, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. Combo Cleaner offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove Firefox redirect virus from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Erase Firefox redirect virus from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Uninstall Firefox redirect virus from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove Firefox redirect virus from Safari.
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the Firefox redirect virus will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate Firefox redirect virus from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.
Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.
