how to stop firefox from opening new ad tabs when clicking on a legit link or even a blank space?
This has been going on for months now in every computer in my house. If I go to any legitimate website and click on a legitimate link (not and ad) a new tab opens up to either a bogus virus warning, an ad page, or a survey. I have reset Firefox to default conditions several times without any results. I have Kaspersky Internet Security 14 and ran a scan (no virus found). I have Hitman Pro and ran a scan again without results. I have also ran Malaware Bytes, and Norton Power Eraser to no avail.
Mozilla has to do something about this as it is happening to may users.
All Replies (4)
hello, could you go to the firefox menu ≡ > help ? > troubleshooting information, copy the contents of that page and paste them here into a reply on the forum? this might give us a clue what is going on...
Do a malware check with several malware scanning programs on the Windows computer. Please scan with all programs because each program detects different malware. All these programs have free versions.
Make sure that you update each program to get the latest version of their databases before doing a scan.
- Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware:
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php - AdwCleaner:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Antivirus/Removal-Tools/AdwCleaner.shtml - SuperAntispyware:
http://www.superantispyware.com/ - Microsoft Safety Scanner:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx - Windows Defender:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/using-defender - Spybot Search & Destroy:
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html - Kasperky Free Security Scan:
http://www.kaspersky.com/security-scan
You can also do a check for a rootkit infection with TDSSKiller.
- Anti-rootkit utility TDSSKiller:
http://support.kaspersky.com/5350?el=88446
See also:
I tried just about all anti malware programs. None of them helped. But I figured out what the problem is, and it is not a virus or malware. It is caused by an ad on any given page. When a page loads (for example www.cbs.com) you will eventually see when you mouse over a blank area of the page "rdsrv.com/newbidder/.......". A mouse click anywhere on the page will open up a new tab with an ad often malicious that sometimes cannot even be closed by normal means without clicking on a possibly dangerous button. The only way to close it sometimes is to use task manager. The solution I found is ADBLOCK PLUS which can block all ads including the intrusive rdsrv.com. I installed it Firefox and it works. I no longer see rdsrv.com obtrusion. I am surprised that no one seems to suggest an ad blocker as the solution. By the way rdsrv behavior happens with all browsers.
Adblock Plus {web link} Blocks annoying video ads on YouTube, Facebook ads, banners and much more. Adblock Plus blocks all annoying ads, and supports websites by not blocking unobtrusive ads by default (configurable).
Separate Issue; Your System Details shows;
Installed Plug-ins
Adobe Shockwave for Director Netscape plug-in, version 11.6.3.633 Adobe Shockwave for Director Netscape plug-in, version 11.6.5.635
Having more than one version of a program may cause issues.
Grab the uninstaller from here: Uninstall Flash Player | Windows Uninstall Flash Player | Mac Then reinstall the latest version.
Flash Player Version 16.0.0.305
https://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/distribution3.html
Shockwave Director Version 12.1.7.157 http://get.adobe.com/shockwave/