# How can I get rid of "conduit search" as the default on my Firefox tabs? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 11, 2014, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-rid-of-conduit-search-as-the-default-on-my-firefox-tabs/688161 "2014-05-11T00:32:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2014, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-rid-of-conduit-search-as-the-default-on-my-firefox-tabs/688161/1 "2014-05-11T00:32:01Z")
I tried to install Firefox 29 the other day, and all kinds of malware crap installed itself, I had to take it to Fry’s to get it cleaned up, but this “conduit search” thing is still the default on new tabs when I open them. I want to get rid of this thing, but all of my searching for how to do that give me instructions that tell me to click on things that I don’t see on my screen. Any help? It doesn’t show up in the Control Panel when I try to uninstall it as a piece of software. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2014, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-rid-of-conduit-search-as-the-default-on-my-firefox-tabs/688161/2 "2014-05-11T00:36:10Z")
Have you tried disabling it in add-ons? Tools tab, add-ons, extensions, then remove whatever it’s calling itself there. Also try clicking the icon on the left of the search box (mine’s the Google G, yours will probably be that conduit crap) and then click ‘manage search engines’, select it from the list then remove. You’ll probably also want to run the usual anti-malware and anti-spyware programs. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2014, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-rid-of-conduit-search-as-the-default-on-my-firefox-tabs/688161/3 "2014-05-11T01:22:44Z")
Considering I paid $130 for Fry’s to clean my laptop, I’m hoping the malware and anti-spyware was actually run. The only things listed under extensions are AdBlock, Norton Toolbar (disabled) and Norton Vulnerability Protection (disabled). And when I manage search engines, it doesn’t show up in the list. ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2014, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-rid-of-conduit-search-as-the-default-on-my-firefox-tabs/688161/4 "2014-05-11T01:28:10Z")
Is it showing up as your homepage? If that’s what you mean by " the default on new tabs", navigate to the page you want set as home, then drag the tab onto the home button to set it. More info here: > **[How to set the home page | Firefox Help](https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-to-set-the-home-page?redirectslug=How%2Bto%2Bset%2Bthe%2Bhome%2Bpage&redirectlocale=en-US)** > > Learn how to change what page you see when you first start Firefox, click the home button or open a new window. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2014, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-rid-of-conduit-search-as-the-default-on-my-firefox-tabs/688161/5 "2014-05-11T01:31:36Z")
The two best cleaners I’ve found for browser add ons in ADW and JRT. My mom’s firefox was nearly crippled by crap ware. I ran 6 different program cleaning it all off. those two were the most effective for malware (after already scanning with Malware bytes first). Free. [JRT](http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/junkware-removal-tool/) [ADW](http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/) ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2014, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-rid-of-conduit-search-as-the-default-on-my-firefox-tabs/688161/6 "2014-05-11T01:34:36Z")
$130?! Anyway, since that didn’t work and there’s nothing in your programs list (although it might be worth another look to see if it’s hiding - the program name is “search protect” apparently) type about:config into your address bar. Type “browser.newtab.url” (without the quote marks) in the search box. Once you’ve found it change the value back to its default - right click on whatever’s listed under “value” and type “about:newtab” (again, without quote marks). Click OK and open a new tab to see what happens. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2014, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-rid-of-conduit-search-as-the-default-on-my-firefox-tabs/688161/7 "2014-05-11T01:35:54Z")
The OP is referring to Malware correct? I have Firefox 29 and theres no conduit search on my browser. A lot of crap ware installs useless search toolbars. [ASK.com](http://ASK.com) is one I particularly hate. Several installs try to sneak that onto the pc. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2014, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-rid-of-conduit-search-as-the-default-on-my-firefox-tabs/688161/8 "2014-05-11T01:48:07Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > The OP is referring to Malware correct? I have Firefox 29 and theres no conduit search on my browser. > > A lot of crap ware installs useless search toolbars. [ASK.com](http://ASK.com) is one I particularly hate. Several installs try to sneak that onto the pc. Same here, using Firefox 29 and it installed without issue - which is why I’d run malware/spyware checkers. You could assume Fry’s did this, but you know what they say about assuming. Malwarebytes, SUPERAntiSpyware and Spybot S&D can tag-team most common nasties. Speaking of the ASK toolbar, [the searchreset add-on](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/searchreset/) gets rid of it; if all else fails it’s worth a try for conduit. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2014, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-rid-of-conduit-search-as-the-default-on-my-firefox-tabs/688161/9 "2014-05-11T02:11:59Z")
Conduit malware is not browser-specific. > [@](#): > > **Conduit Search** is a browser hijacker, which is promoted via other free downloads, and once installed it will add the Conduit Toolbar, and change your browser homepage and default search engine to **[search.conduit.com](http://search.conduit.com)**. > > – snip – > > Conduit Search got on your computer after you have installed a freeware software (video recording/streaming, download-managers or PDF creators) that had bundled into their installation this browser hijacker. This browser hijacker is also bundled within the custom installer on many download sites (examples: NET, Brothersoft or Softonic), so if you have downloaded a software from these websites, chances are that Conduit was installed during the software setup process. [http://malwaretips.com/blogs/remove-conduit-search-virus/](http://malwaretips.com/blogs/remove-conduit-search-virus/) ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2014, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-rid-of-conduit-search-as-the-default-on-my-firefox-tabs/688161/10 "2014-05-11T02:36:31Z")
> [@Mr.Kobayashi](#): > > $130?! > > Anyway, since that didn’t work and there’s nothing in your programs list (although it might be worth another look to see if it’s hiding - the program name is “search protect” apparently) type about:config into your address bar. > > Type “browser.newtab.url” (without the quote marks) in the search box. Once you’ve found it change the value back to its default - right click on whatever’s listed under “value” and type “about:newtab” (again, without quote marks). Click OK and open a new tab to see what happens. Mr. K, that did it. Thank you muchly. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2014, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-rid-of-conduit-search-as-the-default-on-my-firefox-tabs/688161/11 "2014-05-11T02:55:00Z")
There is also a Firefox add-on [SearchReset](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/searchreset/) that does it for you. I’ve used it a few times. It runs once and then uninstalls itself. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2014, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-rid-of-conduit-search-as-the-default-on-my-firefox-tabs/688161/12 "2014-05-11T03:11:16Z")
Anyone know of something like what **don’t ask** suggested but for Chrome? ---
**Author:** ![rsa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/839c29/32.png) [@rsa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsa)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2014, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-rid-of-conduit-search-as-the-default-on-my-firefox-tabs/688161/13 "2014-05-11T04:44:41Z")
Google “cnet conduit” and you’ll find plenty of info. Much of the free software that you can download from CNET comes with an “installer” which tries its best to get you install as much garbage as possible including that conduit toolbar hijack. The “installer” does a good job of tricking you if you’re not really careful. You may deselect one additional software option, press continue and then get a screen which looks like T&C for the software you want when it is actually an agreement to include additional crapware. The options may be “continue” which really means “agree” and “decline” which doesn’t mean you’re declining T&C for the software you want, but the software you don’t want. IOW, “decline” is what you have to click to continue. This may be repeated for more than one piece of add-on software. You should ask for your $130 back. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2014, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-rid-of-conduit-search-as-the-default-on-my-firefox-tabs/688161/14 "2014-05-11T04:57:41Z")
Well, the $130 was mainly because my laptop was telling me that it couldn’t find my router. I don’t have a router.