Many a times you might faced the problem when your firefox browser has been sort of hijacked by some naive search engine toolbar that just wouldn't let go. You might have wondered what can be done in such a case.
Toady I am going to discuss how can you reconfigure your browser homepage and also change some other settings that are important.
First of all you have to understand that Mozilla Firefox is open source which means you can actually change the original source code and also play with the settings.
Coming up: How to actually change the browser settings Firefox.
Once you reach this page, you can easily see the warning:
On the next page you will see all the variables that are in use by the browser and their values. Be extra careful not to modify any of the values accidently or else you might have to reinstall the application.
Now very carefully in the "filter bar" enter the words
keyword.url
You will see the following result, if I am not wrong:
I have drawn the context menu by right clicking on the variable. In my case the browser is not under the attack from any malicious tool so the "value" is blank and the "reset" option is not available. In your case both will have opposite scenario. Simply select reset.
Voila ! You are a step closer to free your browser from the clutches of the tool. Now the next step.
Type in :
search
in the filter bar. You will see new set of results appearing. You will have to make sure that
1. browser.search.defaultenginename is Google
2. browser.search.defaulturl is blank
3. browser.search.order.x is not any unwanted site or company(where x = 1,2,3...)
4. browser.search.useDBForOrder should be blank (if this attribute is listed in your results)
5. As an example, once I was hijacked by this
extensions.infoaxetoolbar.infoaxetoolbar.ChangedHomePageAndSearchEngine
I have made it null since then.
This should cure your wounds in most cases, but, if still it does not, go on and explore more options as follows:
browser.startup.homepage should be kept according to your wishes. In my case I have kept the url of my blog:
The exact look of this menu will differ according to your browser version and Windows version. Then :
Here in this window, enter the desired value in the field "Home Page".
This done, you are almost there.
Coming up: How to complete the process of recovering your browser from a hijack...!!!
On the add-ons page, you will have to make sure of the following:
First of all click on the left side panel on "Extensions". Then make sure that the incorrigible fellow has not installed any unwanted extension into your browser. If it has, then simply click on "Remove" button available along with it.
Now, now! Here we are. Your browser is now purged of that unwanted fella that crept onto your homepage every time you launched the browser or opened a new tab. Enjoy and keep reading my blogs...
Toady I am going to discuss how can you reconfigure your browser homepage and also change some other settings that are important.
First of all you have to understand that Mozilla Firefox is open source which means you can actually change the original source code and also play with the settings.
Coming up: How to actually change the browser settings Firefox.
This is how you reach the settings of Mozilla Firefox:
In the address bar type in:
about:config
 |
| Image: Firefox settings' page |
Once you reach this page, you can easily see the warning:
Changing these advanced settings harmful to the stability, security and performance of this application. You should only continue if you are sure of what you are doing.Click on the button "I'll be careful, I promise" and go on to the next page.
On the next page you will see all the variables that are in use by the browser and their values. Be extra careful not to modify any of the values accidently or else you might have to reinstall the application.
 |
| Image: The browser environment variables |
keyword.url
You will see the following result, if I am not wrong:
 |
| Image: result of typing in "keyword.url" |
Voila ! You are a step closer to free your browser from the clutches of the tool. Now the next step.
Type in :
search
in the filter bar. You will see new set of results appearing. You will have to make sure that
1. browser.search.defaultenginename is Google
2. browser.search.defaulturl is blank
3. browser.search.order.x is not any unwanted site or company(where x = 1,2,3...)
4. browser.search.useDBForOrder should be blank (if this attribute is listed in your results)
5. As an example, once I was hijacked by this
extensions.infoaxetoolbar.infoaxetoolbar.ChangedHomePageAndSearchEngine
I have made it null since then.
This should cure your wounds in most cases, but, if still it does not, go on and explore more options as follows:
 |
| Image: result of typing in "home" |
www.technobane.blogspot.inas my homepage. However this something you can always change by going to the following:
 | |||
| Image: Go to "Option" menu in the browser |
 |
| Image: The options window |
This done, you are almost there.
Coming up: How to complete the process of recovering your browser from a hijack...!!!
 |
| Image: Now go to the add-ons settings |
 |
| Image:Addon Manager page |
Now, now! Here we are. Your browser is now purged of that unwanted fella that crept onto your homepage every time you launched the browser or opened a new tab. Enjoy and keep reading my blogs...
 |
| Enjoy n keep reading !!! |
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