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I upgraded Firefox and now am getting all kinds of ads popping up and my anti-virus software has detected and blocked several sites...all this in 10 minutes!!

bearkm02
bearkm02
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I opened my Firefox browser and it said I wasn't using the latest version and gave me the option to upgrade. I did. In the past several minutes, I am getting constant pop-up ads akin to sites that I am visiting. I was on my banking site when 3 sites trying to access my computer were detected and stopped by my anti-virus software. I go to school online. When I logged onto my class...pop-up after pop-up asking me to get information on attending different schools just kept coming. I would like to return to the older version of Firefox, but the site does not give me the option. If this continues, I will have to find another browser. I have been using Firefox for years and have never had these issues, but this is unacceptable and I cannot risk my security.

I opened my Firefox browser and it said I wasn't using the latest version and gave me the option to upgrade. I did. In the past several minutes, I am getting constant pop-up ads akin to sites that I am visiting. I was on my banking site when 3 sites trying to access my computer were detected and stopped by my anti-virus software. I go to school online. When I logged onto my class...pop-up after pop-up asking me to get information on attending different schools just kept coming. I would like to return to the older version of Firefox, but the site does not give me the option. If this continues, I will have to find another browser. I have been using Firefox for years and have never had these issues, but this is unacceptable and I cannot risk my security.

All Replies (1)

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 25 Contributor
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If you have the real Firefox 26, switching to the real Firefox 25 probably won't make any difference because these ads are not generated by Firefox itself. However, if you want to try it, you can find a link in this article: Install an older version of Firefox.

First, though, I suggest checking your Windows Control Panel, Uninstall a Program, and click the Installed on column heading to bring the most recent to the top. Check for any unexpected programs installed around the time you updated Firefox. Any surprises there?

You may also want to supplement your regular security software with some of the scanners listed in this article: Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware.

Your extensions look innocuous, but some extensions run hidden. You can check the list again in Firefox's Safe Mode. That's a standard diagnostic tool to bypass interference by extensions (and some custom settings). More info: Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode.

You can restart Firefox in Safe Mode using

Help > Restart with Add-ons Disabled

In the dialog, click "Start in Safe Mode" (not Reset)

Then check the Add-ons page. Either:

  • Ctrl+Shift+a
  • orange Firefox button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons

In the left column, click Extensions. Then see if anything unexpected appears.