This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Avatar for Username

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

open ports

  • 4 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by DavidDM

DavidDM
DavidDM
more options

Hello.

Recently, I got infected with virus/ trojans. While cleaning the system, Win XP, I found that every time Firefox is active, there are four ports that open between my PC and the local loop back address 127.0.0.1.

Wondering if someone knows why this happens. I've also seen the same thing happen in Win 7.

I am running Firefox 7 on both Win XP and Win 7.

I also had a friend check on his system and the same occurs. Sometimes the ports are consecutive, but sometimes it skips one port, i.e: 1525, 1526, 1527, 1528.

Feel free to be as technical as you need. I have completed Computer Science degree so I am fairly used to tech lingo.

Thanks for your time.

David

Hello. Recently, I got infected with virus/ trojans. While cleaning the system, Win XP, I found that every time Firefox is active, there are four ports that open between my PC and the local loop back address 127.0.0.1. Wondering if someone knows why this happens. I've also seen the same thing happen in Win 7. I am running Firefox 7 on both Win XP and Win 7. I also had a friend check on his system and the same occurs. Sometimes the ports are consecutive, but sometimes it skips one port, i.e: 1525, 1526, 1527, 1528. Feel free to be as technical as you need. I have completed Computer Science degree so I am fairly used to tech lingo. Thanks for your time. David

Chosen solution

Firefox uses those port as a loopback to connect to the software security device (SSL and password manager).

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (4)

the-edmeister
the-edmeister
  • Moderator
more options

See this:
Firefox makes unrequested connections

DavidDM
DavidDM Question owner
more options

Great.

However, after reading through the various comments, there were only one pair of ports open when Firefox was running. I have two pairs, i.e. 4 ports in total.

I can do a netstat screen capture if you like.

Thanks.

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

Chosen Solution

Firefox uses those port as a loopback to connect to the software security device (SSL and password manager).

DavidDM
DavidDM Question owner
more options

Make sense then.

Thank you for your helpful comments.