Firefox Search Bar Question

[n4cqd]

I have been using Firefox on my iMac for years, and have always had GOOGLE as my Search Engine in the tool bar.
Now, all of a sudden, the Search Engine is using Search-Encrypt. I checked the Firefox Preferences, and the Search Engine is
identified as GOOGLE. Why is it doing this?

[DanRaisch]

Menu path Firefox->Preferences->Search=>make sure Google is selected as the default Search Engine.
If Search-Encrypt is listed among the One Click Search Engines, select it and then click on "Remove."

[James]

No version of Firefox from Mozilla comes with Search-Encrypt as you can see with https://malwaretips.com/blogs/remove-ww ... crypt-com/ though it is more for Windows users.

You can try Malwarebytes for Mac if you cannot remove it. https://www.malwarebytes.com/mac/

[Brummelchen]

i can not speak for OSX, alternatives for adwcleaner on OSX
http://freemacsoft.net/appcleaner/
https://www.bitdefender.com/solutions/a ... -tool.html
(both not tested)

[n4cqd]

Menu path Firefox->Preferences->Search=>make sure Google is selected as the default Search Engine.
If Search-Encrypt is listed among the One Click Search Engines, select it and then click on "Remove."

I removed all of the Search Engines EXCEPT Google, then restarted Firefox.
Search-Encrypt keeps coming up, every time....

[n4cqd]

No version of Firefox from Mozilla comes with Search-Encrypt as you can see with https://malwaretips.com/blogs/remove-ww ... crypt-com/ though it is more for Windows users.

You can try Malwarebytes for Mac if you cannot remove it. https://www.malwarebytes.com/mac/

Search-Encrypt continues to show up instead of Google, AFTER installing malwarebytes app...

[DanRaisch]

Install and run these programs, consecutively, not simultaneously.
http://www.superantispyware.com/
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/

If these don't find it or can't clear it, post in one of these forums for specialized malware removal help:
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/index.php
http://bleepingcomputer.com/
http://www.spywareinfoforum.com/
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30

[Grumpus]

You may also want to looko in about:config and type "search" in the text entry.
This will, should, list all thesearch related items which you can right click and modify or reset.
You might need to find the location of the search engine files and see if there is a search-encrypt package.
It also appears it comes from the Search Guide IP range which has a tendency to commandeer searches.
The IP range to block as near as I can find is 198.105.240.0 - 198.105.255.255.
It does seem to be nuiscanceware.

[Frank Lion]

Now, all of a sudden, the Search Engine is using Search-Encrypt. I checked the Firefox Preferences

Have you checked Firefox Addons? - https://www.searchencrypt.com/About/Uninstall