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when requesting a url i am re-directd i have re-installed firefox - no help. help

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I have mal-ware or something. When I ask for a specific url forefox is re-drected to a site i have never heard from. I have tried un-installing firefox and re-booting and then installing a new firefox version. But this does not solve the problem. I have run malware - this sw does detect and errors.

What should I try next - Is there a way to re-install firefox without automatically caring forward information from a prior firefox installation?

I have mal-ware or something. When I ask for a specific url forefox is re-drected to a site i have never heard from. I have tried un-installing firefox and re-booting and then installing a new firefox version. But this does not solve the problem. I have run malware - this sw does detect and errors. What should I try next - Is there a way to re-install firefox without automatically caring forward information from a prior firefox installation?

All Replies (3)

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Hi, If there is malware on your PC, reinstalling FF won't help, so try these free programs to scan for malware, which work with your existing antivirus software, and note that not all programs will detect all malware, so you may need to run more than one.

Microsoft Security Essentials is a good permanent antivirus for Windows 7/Vista/XP if you don't already have one. Windows 8 has antivirus built-in already.

Further information can be found in the Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware article.

Did this fix your problems? Please report back to us!

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Firefox does have a feature to strip off extensions and many old settings, called Refresh. You can read about it here: Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings.

To see whether extensions might be the problem, could you test in Firefox's Safe Mode? That's a standard diagnostic tool to deactivate extensions and some advanced features of Firefox. More info: Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode.

If Firefox is not running: Hold down the Shift key when starting Firefox.

If Firefox is running: You can restart Firefox in Safe Mode using either:

  • "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Restart with Add-ons Disabled
  • Help menu > Restart with Add-ons Disabled

and OK the restart.

Both scenarios: A small dialog should appear. Click "Start in Safe Mode" (not Refresh).

Any improvement?


Sometimes the problem is in the program folders instead of the settings. To rule that out, you can do this:

Clean Reinstall

We use this name, but it's not about removing your settings, it's about making sure the program files are clean (no inconsistent or alien code files). As described below, this process does not disturb your existing settings. Do NOT uninstall Firefox, that's not needed.

(1) Download a fresh installer for Firefox 38.0.1 from https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/ to a convenient location. (Scroll down to your preferred language.)

(2) Exit out of Firefox (if applicable).

(3) Rename the program folder:

(64-bit Windows folder names)

C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox

to

C:\Program Files (x86)\OldFirefox

(32-bit Windows folder names)

C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox

to

C:\Program Files\OldFirefox

(4) Run the installer you downloaded in #1. It should automatically connect to your existing settings.

Any improvement?

Note: Some plugins may exist only in that OldFirefox folder. If something essential is missing, look in these folders:

  • \OldFirefox\Plugins
  • \OldFirefox\browser\plugins
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To what site are you redirected as that might give a glue what malware you are experiencing?

Can you attach a screenshot?

  • Use a compressed image type like PNG or JPG to save the screenshot
  • Make sure that you do not exceed the maximum size of 1 MB