After awakening from sleep, Firefox opens with address http://192.168.33.1/login.asp?www.msftncsi.com/redirect
Every time I awaken my computer from sleep mode, Firefox opens by itself. The messages are: "Problem loading page", and "The connection has timed out". The address in the address box is http://192.168.33.1/login.asp?www.msftncsi.com/redirect.
I have tried many things. I refreshed Firefox. I ran a full system scan with Norton 360. I ran a variety of malware detection programs, including adwcleaner, Junkware Removal Tool, Malwarebytes, Hitman Pro, and others. (Nothing was found on any of these.)
Nothing has helped.
This has started shortly after another problem has appeared. Firefox sends crash reports almost every time I shut it down. This appears to be a problem associated with Norton Toolbar and Norton Identity Safe.
Thanks in advance for your help. Frank
Chosen solution
Dear jscher2000,
Problem solved! Many many thanks!
We use wifi so little that I didn't realize that my computer wasn't connected any more. Once I got it connected through BearExtender to the router running off of my wife's computer, both the automatic opening of Firefox and the search to that address stopped. No problems in 24 hours.
I really appreciate the time you spent posting a reply. Frank
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Any address starting with 192.168 is a "local" address, meaning, it is for internal use in networks only, and does not map to any site on the internet. It could be router, or another computer, or possibly a program on your own computer set up to listen for connections.
When I search the address online (https://www.google.com/search?q=http:%2F%2F192.168.33.1%2Fl...), it seems to be associated with Linksys wireless routers, possibly when using a "guest" account to connect. It could be that after waking from sleep, Firefox is having your computer random dial some other nearby wireless access point instead of your own/preferred router, and that's causing the error.
To address the network connection issue: Try going through the Windows 8.1 wi-fi settings and turning off the one that allows automatic connections to strange networks (that's probably not what it's called, it may be not connecting to insecure networks). Hopefully then the request to reload the page will be delayed until you are back on your own network.
But that wouldn't explain why Firefox launches by itself... headed toward MSN.com (that's where the "redirect" goes for me).
You might also: Open the Windows Control Panel, Uninstall a Program. After the list loads, click the "Installed on" column heading to group the infections, I mean, additions, by date. This can help surface undisclosed bundle items that snuck in with some software you agreed to install. Be suspicious of everything you do not recognize/remember, as malware often uses important or innocent sounding names to discourage you from removing it. Take out as much trash as possible here.
Sorry to hear about the crashes. My guess would be that you exit out of Firefox using the "red X" button. For some reason, Norton Toolbar users who do that get crashes during shutdown. As a workaround, can you avoid the crashes by using the menu to close Firefox? Either:
- "3-bar" menu button > "power" button
- (menu bar) File > Exit
Chosen Solution
Dear jscher2000,
Problem solved! Many many thanks!
We use wifi so little that I didn't realize that my computer wasn't connected any more. Once I got it connected through BearExtender to the router running off of my wife's computer, both the automatic opening of Firefox and the search to that address stopped. No problems in 24 hours.
I really appreciate the time you spent posting a reply. Frank