I have Ad Block on, but a site keeps popping up. It's called focusAd. When I go to block, it wants to block the site I'm on. How do I get rid of it?
I do surveys. When I go to the survey site, focusAd pops up on the page and I have to hit "Continue" to go forward. When I try to block focusAds, it wants to block the survey site, not focusAds. I though I "opted out" of it, apparently not. Thanks, Judy
Chosen solution
Ads can be inserted by bad add-ons. Since these often are installed externally to Firefox, I suggest starting here:
Open the Windows Control Panel, Uninstall a Program. Click the "Installed on" column heading to group the infections, I mean, additions, by date. This can help in smoking out undisclosed bundle items that snuck in with some software you agreed to install. Take out as much trash as possible here.
Then, in Firefox, open the Add-ons page using either:
- Ctrl+Shift+a
- "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons
In the left column, click Extensions. Then, if in doubt, disable (or Remove, if possible) unrecognized and unwanted extensions.
Often a link will appear above at least one disabled extension to restart Firefox. You can complete your work on the tab and click one of the links as the last step.
Finally, you can "mop up" remaining issues with the scanning/cleaning tools mentioned earlier in this thread.
Read this answer in context 👍 2All Replies (7)
Is focusAd part of the web page / site? Can you post the link to that page so we can look at it?
I don't have the page. It comes up on the survey page, a black box, have to hit "Continue" in the upper corner. I think I may have solved it for the time being. I restored Firefox to Default. I added AdBlock Plus back in and haven't experienced it since.
Do I need more than AdBlock? I'm afraid if I add too much, it's going to block the sites.
Thankks
No focusAd is not part of the page. It just showed up.
Also:
Sometimes a problem with Firefox may be a result of malware installed on your computer, that you may not be aware of.
You can try these free programs to scan for malware, which work with your existing antivirus software:
- Microsoft Safety Scanner
- MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware
- Anti-Rootkit Utility - TDSSKiller
- AdwCleaner (for more info, see this alternate AdwCleaner download page)
- Hitman Pro
- ESET Online Scanner
Microsoft Security Essentials is a good permanent antivirus for Windows 7/Vista/XP if you don't already have one.
Further information can be found in the Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware article.
Did this fix your problems? Please report back to us!
I'll check it out, but I already use Microsoft Security Essentials. I did. It's now Windows Defender
Chosen Solution
Ads can be inserted by bad add-ons. Since these often are installed externally to Firefox, I suggest starting here:
Open the Windows Control Panel, Uninstall a Program. Click the "Installed on" column heading to group the infections, I mean, additions, by date. This can help in smoking out undisclosed bundle items that snuck in with some software you agreed to install. Take out as much trash as possible here.
Then, in Firefox, open the Add-ons page using either:
- Ctrl+Shift+a
- "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons
In the left column, click Extensions. Then, if in doubt, disable (or Remove, if possible) unrecognized and unwanted extensions.
Often a link will appear above at least one disabled extension to restart Firefox. You can complete your work on the tab and click one of the links as the last step.
Finally, you can "mop up" remaining issues with the scanning/cleaning tools mentioned earlier in this thread.
I should've checked the Control Panel. I was just expecting AdBlock Plus to block this. Thanks