Browser Startup Page

[Bruce_F]

In the last couple days, my three browser preferences got changed somehow. I use Safari, Firefox and sometimes Chrome. They ALL got changed to startup on the Yahoo search page.

I don't use Yahoo for anything. If I don't use Google search, I use Bing.

This is creeping me out.

Has anyone here had a similar experience?

[jchuzi]

Have you tried resetting the startup page via each browser's preferences?

[Paddy]

Bruce, did you download/install anything? Anything at all? There have been a few instances of nasty little things like "SearchMe" installing themselves along with (supposedly trustworthy) software that change browser start pages/search preferences. Some of them are tricky to get rid of.

If you can change your start page back to what you want and it doesn't change again after restarting your browser, you're probably not looking for one of the nasties. If, however, you are seeing some persistent behaviour, then I'd suspect a browser add-on has been surreptitiously installed and you're going to need to figure out which one and how to remove it. Identifying what you have installed recently would be the first step.

[Xairbusdriver]

I think Paddy may be referring to some crapware called "genio". One of its actions is to change the 'home page' setting in a browser. It's not actual malware, it is adware and it actually needs your permission to install itself but it obfuscates what is actually being installed. Some claim it comes disguised as a Flash Update, others report other disguises such as an app called Paint Brush.

Genio (also spelled Genieo) supposedly comes with an uninstaller. Most people are warning that it is probably the worst thing to use and it doesn't actually work, anyway.

Thomas Reed has the most recommended method of deleting this critter. See these two pages for <more info> and an <uninstaller> he made.

[Bruce_F]

Well the good thing is, I was able to get my browsers all back to "normal" operation just by changing the Preferences back. The Yahoo creep didn't show up again.

The only downloading I can think of has been updating existing software. I usually check for updates at the App Store and CNET download sites.

Thank you all for checking this out.

[Xairbusdriver]

Uhmn... Do you trust the c|net site? I highly encourage using either a developer's own site or the App Store if that what they use. I avoid all third-party download sites these days. YMMV.

[Bruce_F]

QUOTE

Uhmn... Do you trust the c|net site?

Yeah, I have been fairly trusting in that one site for a few updates. It's never been a problem before.

Nearly all my software automatically watches for updates, so I have less tendency to use any download sites.

[Xairbusdriver]

My philosophy (opinionated as it is... maybe I drank too much 'cool aid'?); I think Apple does a pretty good job of inspecting apps at its Store, developers have a very high stake in making sure their files are 'pure'. c|net, softpedia, macupdates?

It's just very tempting for some download sites to accept less than 'pure' files when some one wants to pay them to put something up, and be vary wary of sites that offer apps that are out-of-date, especially 'brand-name' software at ridiculous markdowns. Of course, there are actually developers who may be crooks! It's a jungle out there!

"Genio/Genieo" is included in some 'installers' without the users knowledge. It's not technically malware but it is certainly annoying and uses System locations/resources dangerously. It's all about money; the developer who allows it to be in their installer makes money from the 'extra' software, the developers of Genio make money from the sites they point to, the sites make money from the extra hits they get...