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Cannot navigate away from a suspicious website demanding I download a "java update".

  • 3 replies
  • 4 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by jambelly

jambelly
jambelly
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A website which loaded itself when I visited a not-entirely wholesome (but not morally bankrupt, either) site will now not allow me to close the browser. It insists that I download an "update to my java" because of "a critical security" concern.

It's complete nonsense, but I used task manager to exit the application and now it's the page which opens as soon as I fire up Firefox. How annoying.

Is there a way to stop script execution and revert back to the state it was in before this malicious site did its thing without conducting heavy surgery? 

************************************************************************************
*** DO NOT CLICK*** The site URL is "http://www.downjava.info/update/ca/" *** DO NOT CLICK ***
************************************************************************************

Thanks!

A website which loaded itself when I visited a not-entirely wholesome (but not morally bankrupt, either) site will now not allow me to close the browser. It insists that I download an "update to my java" because of "a critical security" concern. It's complete nonsense, but I used task manager to exit the application and now it's the page which opens as soon as I fire up Firefox. How annoying. Is there a way to stop script execution and revert back to the state it was in before this malicious site did its thing without conducting heavy surgery? <pre><nowiki>************************************************************************************ *** DO NOT CLICK***</nowiki> The site URL is "http://www<i></i>.downjava<i></i>.info/update/ca/"<nowiki> *** DO NOT CLICK *** ************************************************************************************</nowiki></pre> Thanks!

Modified by cor-el

Chosen solution

hello jambelly, open a new tab & enter about:config into the addressbar (confirm the notice). in there search for the preference named javascript.enabled and double-click it in order to change its value to false. then it should immediately be possible to close the scam-site in question. afterwards turn back the javascript.enabled preference...

Read this answer in context 👍 2

All Replies (3)

philipp
philipp
  • Moderator
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Chosen Solution

hello jambelly, open a new tab & enter about:config into the addressbar (confirm the notice). in there search for the preference named javascript.enabled and double-click it in order to change its value to false. then it should immediately be possible to close the scam-site in question. afterwards turn back the javascript.enabled preference...

moz101mo
moz101mo
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Don't know for sure if it would help, but go to the firefox orange box on top left of window, and hover over history, and pick clear recent history. Inside the box that opens are check marks to clear cache and browsing history. I just clear everything but site preferences, but then I don't depend on firefox remembering anything for me, and it does not affect my bookmarks. Let us know.

jambelly
jambelly Question owner
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Philipp, this was an excellent, elegant solution. I am grateful that you took the time to answer. This technique will now be a tool regularly taken from the toolbox and put to use. Thank you!

Moz101mo, thank you too, but now that I'm clear of that pernicious "quicksand" site, I'm not about to go looking for more. However, reading between your lines, I accept that I must be more assiduous about selecting safe settings. Thank you!