Ask.com hijacking X-Notifier

[Stranger]

Despite my efforts Ask.com is still hijacking my email notifier.
Any assistance would be appreciated.
Ann.

 

[Fiery]

Hi and welcome to MalwareTips!

I'm Fiery and I would gladly assist you in removing the malware on your computer.

PLEASE NOTE: The first 3 posts of ALL new members require approval by mods/admins. Please be patient if you don't see your post immediately after submitting it.

Before we start:

• Note that the removal process is not immediate. Depending on the severity of your infection, it could take a long time.
• Malware removal can be dangerous. I cannot guarantee the safety of your system as malware can be unpredictable. It is possible that we might encounter situations where the only recourse is to re-format and re-install your operating system. Therefore, I would advise you to backup all your important files before we start.
• Please be patient and stay with me until I give you the green lights and inform you that your PC is clean.
• Some tools may be flagged by your antivirus as harmful. Rest assure that ALL the tools we use are safe, the detections are false positives.
• The absence of symptoms does not mean your PC is fully disinfected.
• If you are unclear about the instructions, please stop and ask. Following the steps in the order that I post them in is vital.
• Lastly, if you have requested help on other sites, that will delay and hinder the removal process. Please only stick to one site.

<hr>
Which browser does this happen on? Only Firefox?

 

[Stranger]

Firefox is the only browser I have tried it on. Since X-Notifier is a Mozilla add on I'm assuming it will only be on Firefox.

 

[Fiery]

Right-click the Firefox shortcut icon that you use to start firefox and select Properties. Under the Target line, what does it say?

 

[Stranger]

It says:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe"

 

[Stranger]

As a new development, Ask.com has now also taken over my Firefox tabs.

 

[Stranger]

...and the latest development:

Disabled all Mozilla add ons and started Firefox in safe mode. Ask.com didn't appear when new tabs were opened.

Restarted Firefox and this seems to have resolved hijacking of tabs and the hijacking of X-Notifier. Whether the issue is fixed or just lurking I don't know.

 

[Fiery]

Maybe it's one of the add-ons that was causing the trouble. You can enable them one at a time and see if Ask.com comes back after enabling a particular add-on

 

[Stranger]

Hey Fiery,
You're right it is in the "New tab" feature and thats why it was hijacking my email notifier as the notifier opens in a new tab. Question is how can this be removed?
An additional problem is that I have been trying to create system disks but haven't been able to find how to do it and so have been unable to "backup" my system files. So I'm a bit hesitant about deleting anything.

 

[Stranger]

I got rid of "New Tab" and the issue is once again *fixed*. Just getting rid of the "new Tab" feature doesn't seem to have done anything other than get rid of Ask.com.

 

[Fiery]

An additional problem is that I have been trying to create system disks but haven't been able to find how to do it and so have been unable to "backup" my system files. So I'm a bit hesitant about deleting anything.

Hi,

I would transfer any personal file onto an external drive such as a USB or external hard-drive to be safe.

I got rid of "New Tab" and the issue is once again *fixed*. Just getting rid of the "new Tab" feature doesn't seem to have done anything other than get rid of Ask.com.

Sorry I'm a bit confused as I thought Ask.com hijack was the only issue you are having

 

[Stranger]

Hi Fiery, Ask.com was my only issue until you advised me to save any important files (in the before we begin spiel). Then I realized I hadn't backed up my systems files yet (new computer).

Anyway, the Ask. com hijack issue seems to be resolved. Thanks for your assistance.

 

[Fiery]

Ah Ok. Take care