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.

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

Why is Firefox communicating with China from the UK?

more options

Hello there, I'm using a Firefox beta v13) and have had my firewall warn me that Firefox was attempting an outbound communication to IP 117.21.224.232. It's done this before (in prior versions too) and if I deny the connection, Firfox stops working.

I finally did a lookup on the IP and found that it's in China. Why is Firefox doing this and how do I make it stop? I'm rather worried.

Thanks,

Orbis

Hello there, I'm using a Firefox beta v13) and have had my firewall warn me that Firefox was attempting an outbound communication to IP 117.21.224.232. It's done this before (in prior versions too) and if I deny the connection, Firfox stops working. I finally did a lookup on the IP and found that it's in China. Why is Firefox doing this and how do I make it stop? I'm rather worried. Thanks, Orbis

All Replies (3)

more options

Have you tested in Firefox's Safe Mode to see whether it is caused by a custom setting or add-on?

First, I recommend backing up your Firefox settings in case something goes wrong. See Backing up your information. (You can copy your entire Firefox profile folder somewhere outside of the Mozilla folder.)

Next, restart Firefox in Safe Mode using

Help > Restart with Add-ons Disabled

In the Safe Mode dialog, do not check any boxes, just click "Continue in Safe Mode."

If you still get the connection out, you could also try disabling all update checking (Options > Advanced > Update > "Never check"). Does that make any difference?

more options

Thank you for taking the time to reply jscher2000,

I will try your suggestion and post again.

Regards,

Orbis

more options

Some sites suggest this is related to malware, e.g.

See the following article.