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

Cuireadh an snáithe seo sa chartlann. Cuir ceist nua má tá cabhair uait.

Got message on screen about a patch for firefox, i said yes, go ahead, next morning, today, my malwarebytes anti-malware stopped ff patch, phoney patch?

  • 4 fhreagra
  • 2 leis an bhfadhb seo
  • 2 views
  • Freagra is déanaí ó grotte13

more options

Dec 31, on my screen appeared a message/box saying it was a Firefox patch said to accept the patch hit install, I did----morning of 1/1/2016 my Malewarebytes antimaleware box came on screen, said malewarebytes stopped the patch. Guess the Firefox patch is a phony.

I guess the Malwarebytes aniti-malware program is the best $25.00 I ever spent.


I hope that Firefox goes after the makers of this probably fake patch!!!!!!!!

Dec 31, on my screen appeared a message/box saying it was a Firefox patch said to accept the patch hit install, I did----morning of 1/1/2016 my Malewarebytes antimaleware box came on screen, said malewarebytes stopped the patch. Guess the Firefox patch is a phony. I guess the Malwarebytes aniti-malware program is the best $25.00 I ever spent. I hope that Firefox goes after the makers of this probably fake patch!!!!!!!!

Réiteach roghnaithe

Yes, that was / is a phony patch. Firefox doesn't issue "patches" or "fixes" via an .exe file; that is done thru an internal update mechanism inside of Firefox. Updates are checked for once every day and when an update is available for Firefox it will be installed automatically. The most you'll see (assuming the default pref is still set) is that an update has been installed and to restart Firefox for the installation to be completed.

Mozilla is working on stopping those phony "patches", but the source keeps moving and seems to be one step ahead of Mozilla efforts to stop it once and for all. Good thing you had MawareBytes to stop the "patch" from lodging itself inside your PC.

Basically, users need to "know" that Firefox doesn't receive "patches" in that manner, and if there is a question if something is valid or not, refuse 'stuff' like that and ask about it here.

Read this answer in context 👍 4

All Replies (4)

more options

Réiteach Roghnaithe

Yes, that was / is a phony patch. Firefox doesn't issue "patches" or "fixes" via an .exe file; that is done thru an internal update mechanism inside of Firefox. Updates are checked for once every day and when an update is available for Firefox it will be installed automatically. The most you'll see (assuming the default pref is still set) is that an update has been installed and to restart Firefox for the installation to be completed.

Mozilla is working on stopping those phony "patches", but the source keeps moving and seems to be one step ahead of Mozilla efforts to stop it once and for all. Good thing you had MawareBytes to stop the "patch" from lodging itself inside your PC.

Basically, users need to "know" that Firefox doesn't receive "patches" in that manner, and if there is a question if something is valid or not, refuse 'stuff' like that and ask about it here.

more options

. Whenever you get a message / popup that software / files need to be updated;

DO NOT USE ANY OF THE PROVIDED LINKS

While this may be a legitimate message, it could also be Malware or a Virus. Any time you want or need to check for upgrades, go to the web site of the True Owner of the program in question. For example, to check out Firefox, go to Mozilla.org. {web link}

You can also report such a site at; Google Report Phishing Page {web link} which is the same when done while on site by going to Help > Report Web Forgery

Help us safeguard Mozilla’s trademarks by reporting misuse {web link}

more options

Thank you, I was lucky I had Malewarebytes antimalware, they saved me, I thought it was really firefox, should have known better.

more options

Thank you, I should have known better but they got me.

I was fortunate that Malwarebytes anti-malware caught it and saved me.

I hope Firefox can prosecute them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!