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xdg-open disregards url and opens different website when Firefox is the default browser in Ubuntu

GrouchyGaijin
GrouchyGaijin
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I am running Ubuntu 14.04 64 bit with Firefox version 38 for Ubuntu This is complected and I've tried to explain everything clearly.


I noticed some strange behavior today. I have several URL saved as .desktop files.


I'll use webupd8.org as an example. The code for the exec in the desktop file is: Code: 

Exec=xdg-open http://www.webupd8.org/


Today I noticed that if I try to go to webupd8.org, or most other sites, by launching the .desktop file for that site or by typing the url Code:

http://www.webupd8.org/

in the Dash Firefox opens to a completely different site. The site that opens up is a website I set up for my kids' grandparents to watch videos and see photos of the kids. This website opens every time. I am not being directed to a random site each time. This is the case when I try to visit webupd8.org OR any of several different sites using the .desktop file or entering the desired url in the Dash. Each time I am directed to my own domain.


It happens that I also have several sites saved in a quicklist in the Firefox icon in the sidebar launcher thing in Ubuntu. In the case of the quicklist the code for the exec is slightly different and it still responds as it should. In this case I have: Code:

Exec=firefox -new-tab http://www.webupd8.org/


Furthermore, if I change my default browser to Opera, for example both the .desktop files and entering the url directly into the Dash work as they should.


To Recap:


When Firefox is the default browser entering a url into the Dash or using a .desktop file to surf to a desired site results in my being redirected to my own domain (which is remotely hosted and not on this computer).


If, however, I edit the Exec command in the .desktop file from Code: 

Exec=xdg-open <url>

to Code:

Exec=firefox -new-tab <url>

the .desktop file will open Firefox and go to the desired website.


If I change the default browser from Firefox to another browser everything works as it should and always has until now. That is, with Opera for example, both Code: 

Exec=xdg-open <url>

and Code:

Exec=firefox -new-tab <url>

result in the browser opening and going to the intended site. Typing a url into Dash is not a problem if the default browser is not Firefox.


Has anyone seen this before? If so, how did you fix it?

I am running Ubuntu 14.04 64 bit with Firefox version 38 for Ubuntu This is complected and I've tried to explain everything clearly. I noticed some strange behavior today. I have several URL saved as .desktop files. I'll use webupd8.org as an example. The code for the exec in the desktop file is: Code: Exec=xdg-open http://www.webupd8.org/ Today I noticed that if I try to go to webupd8.org, or most other sites, by launching the .desktop file for that site or by typing the url Code: http://www.webupd8.org/ in the Dash Firefox opens to a completely different site. The site that opens up is a website I set up for my kids' grandparents to watch videos and see photos of the kids. This website opens every time. I am not being directed to a random site each time. This is the case when I try to visit webupd8.org OR any of several different sites using the .desktop file or entering the desired url in the Dash. Each time I am directed to my own domain. It happens that I also have several sites saved in a quicklist in the Firefox icon in the sidebar launcher thing in Ubuntu. In the case of the quicklist the code for the exec is slightly different and it still responds as it should. In this case I have: Code: Exec=firefox -new-tab http://www.webupd8.org/ Furthermore, if I change my default browser to Opera, for example both the .desktop files and entering the url directly into the Dash work as they should. To Recap: When Firefox is the default browser entering a url into the Dash or using a .desktop file to surf to a desired site results in my being redirected to my own domain (which is remotely hosted and not on this computer). If, however, I edit the Exec command in the .desktop file from Code: Exec=xdg-open <url> to Code: Exec=firefox -new-tab <url> the .desktop file will open Firefox and go to the desired website. If I change the default browser from Firefox to another browser everything works as it should and always has until now. That is, with Opera for example, both Code: Exec=xdg-open <url> and Code: Exec=firefox -new-tab <url> result in the browser opening and going to the intended site. Typing a url into Dash is not a problem if the default browser is not Firefox. Has anyone seen this before? If so, how did you fix it?

Chosen solution

Thank you for your replies! I checked the homepage url in Firefox and it was set to startpage.com, but then when I looked at the default programs in Ubuntu, I noticed that the default program for the web had been inadvertently set to use a .desktop file that leads to t he admin login page for my website.

I changed this back to Firefox and the problem was solved.

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (3)

guigs
guigs
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Is your domain the homepage of the Firefox profile that is open, or opens by default?

I found this as a more recent solution: http://www.itsprite.com/linux-my-default-browser-is-set-to-f...

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
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You can check the connection settings.

If you do not need to use a proxy to connect to internet then try to select "No Proxy" if "Use the system proxy settings" or one of the others do not work properly.

See "Firefox connection settings":

Clear the cache and remove cookies only from websites that cause problems.

"Clear the Cache":

  • Edit > Preferences > Advanced > Network > Cached Web Content: "Clear Now"

"Remove Cookies" from sites causing problems:

  • Edit > Preferences > Privacy > "Use custom settings for history" > Cookies: "Show Cookies"

You can remove all data stored in Firefox from a specific domain via "Forget About This Site" in the right-click context menu of an history entry ("History > Show All History" or "View > Sidebar > History") or via the about:permissions page.

Using "Forget About This Site" will remove all data stored in Firefox from that domain like bookmarks, cookies, passwords, cache, history, and exceptions, so be cautious and if you have a password or other data from that domain that you do not want to lose then make sure to backup this data or make a note.

You can't recover from this 'forget' unless you have a backup of the involved files.

It doesn't have any lasting effect, so if you revisit such a 'forgotten' website then data from that website will be saved once again.

GrouchyGaijin
GrouchyGaijin Question owner
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Chosen Solution

Thank you for your replies! I checked the homepage url in Firefox and it was set to startpage.com, but then when I looked at the default programs in Ubuntu, I noticed that the default program for the web had been inadvertently set to use a .desktop file that leads to t he admin login page for my website.

I changed this back to Firefox and the problem was solved.