IE hijacked my Mozilla Firefox browser

kwagar · Jul 11, 2005

I have downloaded and purchased a program to run scans and have removed any spyware on my computer. I also used the spyware suggested on your site. I can't get IE to go away. Sometimes it and sometimes Firefox shows up as my browser. I have reinstalled Firefox, I have tweaked every place I can find, but IE won't allow Firefox to become the default brower, which it has been, with no problems, for a couple years.

Can anyone help? Should I delete IE? Note: The browser in use writing you is Firefox. The browser for my homepage is IE. Any idea who does this? Is it kids?

Thanks a lot. kwagar

chaslang · Jul 11, 2005

We do not post spyware, we post spyware removal tools!

You cannot uninstall IE. It is an integral part of your OS and you will need to use it to access various sites including Microsoft sites. Without it, you cannot get updates.

Sounds more like a Software Forum issue to me. Do you really think this is a malware problem?

If so, did you run ALL steps in: READ ME FIRST BEFORE ASKING FOR SUPPORT: Basic Spyware, Trojan And Virus Removal

kwagar · Jul 12, 2005

Sorry, Chaslang, I didn't make myself clear. All I know is I used your tools plus one program I bought to remove the spyware. I thought you would know a simple answer. Thanks, and I'll keep looking.

chaslang · Jul 13, 2005

You probably have a setting lock in your registry to prevent the change. As I said this it not truly a malware problem but more of a configuration problem. If you are using any of the spyware protection/blocking tools that are blocking certain changes from being made to your registry, that could be your problem.

PlexShaw · Jul 13, 2005

It might also help if the OP said which spyware removal tools have been used.

Shadow_Puter_Dude · Jul 13, 2005

You can use this tool to set your default browser.

SetBrowser 1.4 - Set default Windows web browser

If that does not work then do the following:
Setting default browser manually

* In Windows XP, go to "Start -> Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs -> Set Program Access and Defaults (on the left) -> Custom" and set Firefox as your default browser. If that doesn't work:
* Go to "Start -> Settings -> Folder Options -> File Types" and assign the following things to Firefox:

o URL:HyperText Transfer Protocol
o URLrotected HyperText Transfer Protocol
o URL:File Transfer Protocol
o HTML File
o HTM File (optional)
Note: you may find the URL file types above under extension "N/A" or "(none)".

* In Windows XP, you must go "Start -> Control Panel" first.

o If your Control Panel choose "Category View", and click on "Performance and Maintenance". Then, click on "Files Types" in the left column under the heading "See Also".
o If your Control Panel uses Classic View, then go "Folder Options -> File Types".
o In either case, set the above associations handler to Firefox.

Dread_2004 · Jul 13, 2005

you can also try

righ click internet explorer icon on your desk top - properties - programs tab.

at the bottom is a check box which says 'internet explorer should check if it is the default browser'

tick if you want ie explorer or uncheck it and mozilla should become your default browser

hope this helps

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IE hijacked my Mozilla Firefox browser

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