Hi cadwell,

it looks like you're infected with a malware or a browser hijacker.

Check if you have the Webcompanion process in the Windows task manager.

Ok, I did find web companion. It was installed the same day as the FF update.

I was able to uninstall it, then I ran two malware detectors (not simultaneously) to see what the uninstall missed.

I am currently working on cleaning up the registry.

However, Adaware Secure Search is still showing up (disabled) in the FF addons.

I know FF recently changed how it does its security and privacy. I wonder if this is part of it...?

Thank you for your assistance with this and I will keep researching on how to remove this thing that, seemingly, installed itself with the FF update.

As Lavasoft is the Author of this Extension it was likely installed by a Adware software.

http://www.lavasoft.com/search-safely/ https://www.adaware.com/

This was Not from Mozilla or any Firefox update.

The only thing that had updated on my system was FireFox.

Timeline: FF wouldn't stay open so had to open in safe mode. Discovered Adaware Secure Search addon that wasn't there before. Researched how to remove it. None of the steps worked. Refreshed FF - didn't work. Un/re-installed FF - addon still there. That's when I had to install my normal extensions.

So, the only thing that updated the same day as Web Companion was FF.

Which is why I said "seemingly".

It is unlikely FF bundled it.

But it is also unlikely it arrived by itself when nothing else had updated/been installed except FF according to my system.

I'm not going to argue about it. It installed itself somehow.

So, thanks for not giving me info on how to remove the addon instead of information I've already looked up.

Cheers!

Not the first time I have seen complaints of Lavasoft installing unwanted Extensions in Firefox over the years because of said new software install or a update for the software.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/cannot-remove-add-on-extension-or-theme

You did not mention that you knew it was from Lavasoft in your OP.

If a Firefox install or update were to come with a extension(s) it would have say Mozilla as the Author.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVC3Gz4wiyw

Thanks but I already explained that I've taken all the steps shown in this video.

So please mark your post a "Chosen solution".

Why would I mark anything as the "Chosen Solution??? The problem is not yet solved.

The addon is STILL listed in Firefox. Disabled yet still there.

So, although I'm appreciative of those that posted good information here, what they posted wasn't a solution. it is still ongoing.

I have been working on it.

It is irksome that some posters don't fully read the conversation before posting or requesting closure. And it's not the first time this has happened. Makes one not want to post on these forums.

My third post has this: "Un/re-installed FF - addon still there'. That's when I had to install my normal extensions."

I will not choose any post as the "Chosen Solution" unless, and until, it actually IS the solution.

Yes, that add-on will still be there because uninstalling Firefox only removes the Firefox program files, uninstalling Firefox doesn't touch the Profile folder which is where add-ons are installed.

Apparently you didn't fully read or fully comprehend the KB article that James referred you to - https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1271289#answer-1261213

specifically this paragraph: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/cannot-remove-add-on-extension-or-theme#w_extensions-installed-by-other-software - and also this paragraph: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/cannot-remove-add-on-extension-or-theme#w_globally-installed-extensions = not installed by Mozilla / Firefox and most of the time not removable thru Firefox, but rather controlled by the application that installed that add-on into the Registry.

Apparently you didn't read my conversation either. Sigh.

My first post says:Un/re-installed FF and there it is again!

You implied I would have profile files. I've worked with computers for decades and know there are residual files when uninstalling something.

If was my fault for not stating the obvious. To clarify, I did a complete uninstall. No profile, no FF files, nothing, zilch was leftover. It was a fresh install.

And I did read, and fully comprehend, the article James posted. However, I had already done what was mentioned in that article before I had even posted on this forum.

You know what, delete this conversation. I haven't received much help on here.

cadwellm said

Apparently you didn't read my conversation either. Sigh. My first post says:Un/re-installed FF and there it is again!

This step was useless and completely unnecessary. You should review your list of installed programs and uninstall the program that installed the addon.

You can find the install location of a specific extension in the extensions.json file in the profile folder. You can open the extensions.json file in a Firefox tab to use the builtin JSON viewer.

• https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/Tools/JSON_viewer

You can use the button on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page to go to the current Firefox profile folder or use the about:profiles page.

• Help -> Troubleshooting Information -> Profile Directory:
  Windows: Show Folder; Linux: Open Directory; Mac: Show in Finder
• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/Profiles

Yes! This is the type of information I was talking about getting! Found the dratted thing and it is now gone.

Thank you very much Cor-el, you don't know how I appreciate getting this resolved!!!!

have the same problem...even i installed a clean windows on my pc and downloaded only firefox the adaware search site shows....i think its in my safe sites stored with firefox.....i am not a pro in pcstuff....tried to find in my profil....nothing.....tried to understand json view.....no clue....please help...because this adaware site is only a firefox problem....because new partion with new windows and only firefox on it?.........