Bing takes over Firefox, didn't download it, don't want Bing

Question

Windows 8.1 FF 27.0.1 FF is set as default browser, with tabs from previous session set to open. Bing opens browser when I start computer and adds itself to whatever tabs are set to open.
This has been asked a number of times, and I read as many answers as I could read before my eyes crossed and I got dizzy.
One person said Bing takes over every few weeks. Lucky them, Bing takes over every day - when I start my computer, it opens my browser and inserts itself on a tab.
I HATE Bing, I won't use it, I don't want it. I thought I had been very careful when I downloaded any program, custom install, check every box that it isn't installing something I don't want.
I have the paid version of MalwareBytes with daily updates and scans and my computer is clean of malware.
I checked in the Tools tab, didn't see anything listed in the Add Ons, Extensions or Plug Ins that suggest Bing is lurking. But I don't really know what to look for unless of course it said "Bing".
One reply on a closed question said:
So, I went to Control Panel (by whatever method you get to your control method, just do it.) And I looked at all the programs which have been installed recently. And there they were, two programs. One called Conduit Search. Another was toolbar (with a number next to it, which I forget.)
Another said:
However I found Conduit Search in programs and uninstalled. Needless to say when I restarted my computer I was finally BING FREE!!!!!
I looked in Control Panel but this has been going on since I got this new computer. I didn't install all the programs so I don't know when it arrived here. I did do a search in Windows Explorer for "Conduit Search" there were 11 files but they were either gif. or shortcuts. When I searched for just "Conduit" there were 77 files found with .xml, PNG, .gif, java script, and maybe a couple others. A couple like .xml, I've never seen before. I also searched for "Bing" there were 54 files including shortcuts, ICO, .dll, WINMD, and more. I looked in Control Panel, Uninstall or change a program but there was nothing about Bing or Conduit.
I can download and install programs, I can search for files on Windows Explorer, and other standard types of things, but I'm not sure at all about things like starting in Safe Mode or understanding some of the more technical replies, please answer in simple English.

Answer 1

Run scans with multiple and up-to-date tools. Hopefully it will be easily detected and removed. <br />I would not suggest you try any manual hacks or edits of the Windows registry. (Once rogue files are removed any residual registry entry will not normally do any harm.) <br />
In this case certainly use '''AdwCleaner''' and do not rely on only scanning with malwarebytes.
Some of this unwanted software may be hard to detect because there may even be people that install it intentionally. Conduit itself is well known and often not liked.
<u>Check your Search Bar setting</u><br />
One obvious thing to check is what you have selected as the search engine in Firefox's search bar. That will be used by all searches is that Bing, or Bing related. By default the search bar offers a few options and the original default is usually Google.
* [[Search bar - Easily choose your favorite search engine]]
**[[How to use popular search suggestions in the Search Bar]]
<u>Check the Shortcuts used to start Firefox</u><br />
As a test try to start Firefox from the ''Run'' option. Use shortcut Windows Key+R to use the Run option and enter ''firefox.exe'' and hit the Return. If firefox then starts normally the problem may be that you have a corrupt or modified shortcut. <br />Right clicking shortcuts alloows their properties to be displayed, is some site address tacked on to the end of the firefox name ?
<u>Use the SearchReset addon, after any malware is removed</u> <br />
Also see [[Remove a toolbar that has taken over your Firefox search or home page]] Note in particular the use of the addon searchreset mentioned in that article. The addon is installs, resets things to normal and then uninstalls itself.
* https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/searchreset/
<u>Please check again for malware </u>
You can try these free programs to scan for malware, which work with your existing antivirus software:
* [http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/default.aspx Microsoft Safety Scanner]
* [http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free/ MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware]
* [http://support.kaspersky.com/faq/?qid=208283363 TDSSKiller - AntiRootkit Utility]
* [http://www.surfright.nl/en/hitmanpro/ Hitman Pro]
* [http://www.eset.com/us/online-scanner/ ESET Online Scanner]
*''' [http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/ AdwCleaner: (for adware)]'''
* [http://www.kaspersky.com/security-scan Kaspersky Free security scan]
You need to use multiple and up-to-date tools as they will not all pick up the same things.
[http://windows.microsoft.com/MSE Microsoft Security Essentials] is a good FREE permanent antivirus for Windows 7/Vista/XP if you don't already have one.
Further information can be found in the [[Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware]] article.