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Video ads showing up randomly on Firefox tabs

  • 5 replies
  • 5 have this problem
  • 2 views
  • Last reply by neogarfield

neogarfield
neogarfield
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I'm getting these random video ads now and then on new Firefox tabs. Sometimes it's when I open a new tab. Sometimes, it's when I click on a link. The same thing is happening across different websites. I started getting suspicious when sites which did not have ads before started showing these ads.

It happens like this: the screen dims, there is a video highlighted in the centre, a button which says "Skip ad" and a countdown beneath it telling me how soon I can skip the ad. When I click on the ad, it does nothing. It says "jwplayer" at the bottom left of the video screen. The video does not play.

I haven't installed any new addons or extensions recently. Nor have I changed any settings recently. I'm on a linux system, so I'm guessing it cannot be a virus.

The ads are terribly annoying. Need help.

I'm getting these random video ads now and then on new Firefox tabs. Sometimes it's when I open a new tab. Sometimes, it's when I click on a link. The same thing is happening across different websites. I started getting suspicious when sites which did not have ads before started showing these ads. It happens like this: the screen dims, there is a video highlighted in the centre, a button which says "Skip ad" and a countdown beneath it telling me how soon I can skip the ad. When I click on the ad, it does nothing. It says "jwplayer" at the bottom left of the video screen. The video does not play. I haven't installed any new addons or extensions recently. Nor have I changed any settings recently. I'm on a linux system, so I'm guessing it cannot be a virus. The ads are terribly annoying. Need help.

All Replies (5)

user633449
user633449
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Please update to Firefox 29 Update Firefox to the latest release

Also, think about updating to a modern Ubuntu version

Then try installing www.adblockplus.org

neogarfield
neogarfield Question owner
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Thanks Tyler.

I do have Adblockplus installed. And I'm on the latest possible Firefox available for my version of linux. I don't want a later Ubuntu because of Unity.

But these do not answer my problem... Sorry... There should be a reason the ads are showing up, which does not have to do with my Ubuntu or Firefox versions. It was working fine until like a month back.

user633449
user633449
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Unfortunately Firefox 20 is no longer supported or secure. You can update Firefox without updating your Ubuntu (in fact you can update Ubuntu without Unity) Install Firefox on Linux

Moses
Moses
  • Moderator
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neogarfield (WHAT!? Awesome name!)

What ads are popping up? Can you give me a couple of links that are popping up?

It happens like this: the screen dims, there is a video highlighted in the centre, a button which says "Skip ad" and a countdown beneath it telling me how soon I can skip the ad. When I click on the ad, it does nothing. It says "jwplayer" at the bottom left of the video screen. The video does not play.

Can you try to start Firefox in Safe Mode to see if Firefox works properly with no error? You can start Firefox in Safe Mode below:

  • Windows/Mac: Go to Help > Restart with add-ons disabled
  • Linux: Run firefox -safe-mode in the Terminal/Konsole

If Firefox opens up fine with no problems, it's probably one of your extensions that's causing the issue. You can re-enable your add-ons one by one until you find the one that causes the issue upon being re-enabled.

neogarfield
neogarfield Question owner
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Thank you, I'll try what you suggest. I'll get back here if the problem persists.