Installed a program, and now your browser’s acting weird?
Homepage changed, ads everywhere, search results hijacked?
Here’s how to reset everything and get your browser back.
✅ 1. Remove the malicious extension
In Chrome:
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Menu (⋮) → Extensions → Remove anything you don’t recognize
In Firefox: -
Menu → Add-ons → Extensions
✅ Sort by Installed Date to spot recent troublemakers.
✅ 2. Reset browser settings
Chrome:
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Settings → Reset and clean up → “Restore settings to their original defaults”
Firefox: -
Help → Troubleshooting Information → “Refresh Firefox”
✅ Restores default homepage, search, new tab, etc.
✅ 3. Clear cache and cookies
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Chrome/Firefox: Ctrl + Shift + Delete
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Select “Cookies and site data” + “Cached images/files”
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Time range: All time
✅ Fixes lingering adware redirects or session hijacking.
✅ 4. Check homepage and search settings
After reset:
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Go to Settings → “Search engine” or “Home”
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Set your preferred site (e.g., Google, DuckDuckGo)
✅ Hijackers love changing this silently.
✅ 5. Scan your PC with Malwarebytes
Use Malwarebytes Free:
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Full system scan
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Removes browser hijackers and startup malware
Key points to remember
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Remove bad extensions ASAP
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Reset browser settings completely
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Clear all cached data
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Restore your preferred homepage and search
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Scan with a trusted malware tool