When using Firefox, a McAfee popup box states that a Program (Firefox) wants access. Is this legitimate, or is it an imposter?
I am using McAfee's Internet Security system. While using Firefox, a dialog popup box appears indicating that a program on my PC is trying to accept incoming connections from the Internet. It indicates that the program is Firefox located at C:\program files\mozilla firefox\firefox.exe. The dialog box's recommendation is "unknown program." My choices are "always allow," "allow once," or "block." I can continue doing whatever I was doing on Firefox without clicking on one of the 3 choices, but the dialog box does not go away.
I am afraid to choose "allow always" as this has never happened in the two years I've been using Firefox until I started having problems with my computer (virsuses) a week ago. Please advise.
Chosen solution
If you suspect your computer has a virus on it, you shouldn't ignore the fact and switch to another browser.
You need to get the virus removed. The virus could be recording personal information.
I would say that the prompt you have received is a genunine prompt for Firefox. The location you stated "c:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\Firefox.exe" is the genunine location for Firefox.
You are probably receiving this prompt because Firefox was updated about a week ago. Version 6.0.2 was released and your McAfee security product will identify this as a different program. Yes, it's still Firefox but a newer version of Firefox and your McAfee program is just confirming that you know it's been updated and is different to the way it was before.
You are right to be wary of security prompts.
The best way to verify the application is the following.
Open My Computer and locate the file c:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\Firefox.exe
right click on the Firefox.exe file and then select "Properties".
You'll see a tab called "Digital Signatures".
Select this tab and ensure it says "Mozilla Corporation" and has a time stamp of 3rd September 2011.
Assuming it does - it's the real deal and you can safely allow it.
Hope it helps.
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Chosen Solution
If you suspect your computer has a virus on it, you shouldn't ignore the fact and switch to another browser.
You need to get the virus removed. The virus could be recording personal information.
I would say that the prompt you have received is a genunine prompt for Firefox. The location you stated "c:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\Firefox.exe" is the genunine location for Firefox.
You are probably receiving this prompt because Firefox was updated about a week ago. Version 6.0.2 was released and your McAfee security product will identify this as a different program. Yes, it's still Firefox but a newer version of Firefox and your McAfee program is just confirming that you know it's been updated and is different to the way it was before.
You are right to be wary of security prompts.
The best way to verify the application is the following.
Open My Computer and locate the file c:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\Firefox.exe
right click on the Firefox.exe file and then select "Properties".
You'll see a tab called "Digital Signatures".
Select this tab and ensure it says "Mozilla Corporation" and has a time stamp of 3rd September 2011.
Assuming it does - it's the real deal and you can safely allow it.
Hope it helps.
Modified by nyquist
The virsus was taken care of a week ago. I'm just being super vigilant because of that problem which took a long time to resolve.
I followed your instructions and everything is as you said it should be except that the time stamp is September 2, 2011 at 11:01:04 pm. That's pretty close to Sept. 3, so I'm assuming it's ok.
Thank you so much. I really appreciate your advice.
The timestamp is less important. The key part is that it is digitally signed by "Mozilla Corporation".
A digital signature, in most cases, proves that program was created by the company and is very difficult to forge.
If you find you get warnings for other applications, check the digital signature for the program (if it has one, they don't all have one) - to make sure it is the company you expect it to be.