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I am stuck with SearchNU malware. I have...

  • 17 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 8 views
  • Last reply by Dell14z

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... gone into Extensions and removed it. Did this several days ago. But each time I open Firefox after a reboot, searchnu.com is home page. Also, in Options General, "open windows and tabs from last time" is changed to "Show Home Page"

How do I remove it if it isn't in my list of add-ons? Just 2 are there -- MultiRow Toolbar and McAfeeScriptScan.

A search for iSearch and SearchNU brings up nothing.

... gone into Extensions and removed it. Did this several days ago. But each time I open Firefox after a reboot, searchnu.com is home page. Also, in Options General, "open windows and tabs from last time" is changed to "Show Home Page" How do I remove it if it isn't in my list of add-ons? Just 2 are there -- MultiRow Toolbar and McAfeeScriptScan. A search for iSearch and SearchNU brings up nothing.

Chosen solution

The Reset Firefox feature can fix many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your essential information. Note: This will cause you to lose any Extensions, Open websites, and some Preferences.

To Reset Firefox do the following:

  1. Go to Firefox > Help > Troubleshooting Information.
  2. Click the "Reset Firefox" button.
  3. Firefox will close and reset. After Firefox is done, it will show a window with the information that is imported. Click Finish.
  4. Firefox will open with all factory defaults applied.


Further information can be found in the Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings article.

Did this fix your problems? Please report back to us!

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All Replies (17)

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Thanks. Had already read similar threads. I have NO toolbar. Add-on was removed and doesn't show. Add/remove programs-- or -- control panel/programs and features/uninstall ... nothing for it under any name.

This is the problem.. I've followed all steps yet it remains...

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I've looked for it but can't find it in my computer. But it takes over Firefox each time.

Not in Extensions or Add-Ons ...

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Chosen Solution

The Reset Firefox feature can fix many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your essential information. Note: This will cause you to lose any Extensions, Open websites, and some Preferences.

To Reset Firefox do the following:

  1. Go to Firefox > Help > Troubleshooting Information.
  2. Click the "Reset Firefox" button.
  3. Firefox will close and reset. After Firefox is done, it will show a window with the information that is imported. Click Finish.
  4. Firefox will open with all factory defaults applied.


Further information can be found in the Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings article.

Did this fix your problems? Please report back to us!

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Also, you can try some of the following programs to scan for malware:

Further information can be found in the Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware article.

Did this fix your problems? Please report back to us!

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Thanks. Ran Malware Bytes the other day; nothing found. Am running it again now.

If it finds nothing, I'll reset Firefox. Will Restore Previous Session open my 10 windows?

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You can also try https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/searchreset/ before Resetting Firefox, it might help.

No, when you Reset Firefox it won't restore your currently open Windows, but your history will still be there.

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Thanks. I restored via History too many times to count until I found the Restore. I downloaded the Add-On and will reboot so it shows in Add Ons, run it, and report. Thank you

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The addon will run when you install it and then uninstall itself, so don't except it to show up in add-ons. I'm thinking you are best off with a Firefox Reset (as I said above)

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Note that the SearchReset extension only runs once and then uninstalls automatically, so it won't show on the about:addons page.

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I ran it last night. Just opened the laptop, went to Firefox, and the home page was still not mine and it did not save open tabs (I restored)

So ..... my next step will be to bookmark all open tabs then reset Firefox. I just changed Options.

I will lose my search engine settings but nothing else I need to worry about.

I will do this in about an hour so if I have anything wrong or need to do anything else, please post!

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Can't bookmark. Usually I click the star and left click, or use Bookmarks at the top. Former brings up nothing on left click, latter does nothing.

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Can't close this window by clicking the X.....

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Try to disable hardware acceleration in Firefox.


Problems with bookmarks and history not working properly can be caused by a corrupted places.sqlite database file.

You can try to check and repair the places database with this extension:

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I rebooted and all was fine. In all these years, this never happened. Tomorrow I will bookmark the windows, check my settings, then reset. I will post after it's done. (I jumped on the iPad just to let you know it was fixed).

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Have to delay one day due to time issues. I will try but if I don't post, will do so on Friday

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Done!! Just did all Options and rebooted. All my old tabs opened. Thanks to all who helped me get rid of this nasty malware.