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web page appears (not mozilla site) with Firefox update

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A web page appears stating a security issue needs to be fixed. Looks like a Mozilla/Firefox page but url is from (http://64.jpj.uwohkjohanniter.com). I did not show the rest of the address to the html page, but I have it saved.

Is this an attempt to hack into my firefox??????

A web page appears stating a security issue needs to be fixed. Looks like a Mozilla/Firefox page but url is from (http://64.jpj.uwohkjohanniter.com). I did not show the rest of the address to the html page, but I have it saved. Is this an attempt to hack into my firefox??????

All Replies (1)

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That definitely sounds very suspicious!

Sometimes those enticements to install malware are generated by a site you were visiting, in which case, it probably isn't a problem on your system. In other cases, they may be caused by a bad add-on or other hack.

I'm going to suggest that your investigation as follows... I know it seems long, but it's not that bad.

(1) 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. Take out as much trash as possible here.

(2) Open Firefox's Add-ons page using either:

  • Ctrl+Shift+a
  • "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons
  • in the Windows "Run" dialog, type or paste
    firefox.exe "about:addons"

In the left column, click Plugins. Set nonessential and unrecognized plugins to "Never Activate".

In the left column, click Extensions. Then, if in doubt, disable (or Remove, if possible) unrecognized and unwanted extensions. Bear in mind that none of these came with Firefox, they are all optional.

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.

Any improvement?

(3) You can search for remaining issues with the scanning/cleaning tools listed in our support article: Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware. These on-demand scanners are free and take considerable time to run. If they finish quickly and especially if they require payment, you may have a serious infection. I suggest the specialized forums listed in the article in that case.

Success?


Occasionally malware will modify your desktop/taskbar shortcuts to drive the browser to a particular URL. This bypasses your regular home page, so even if the Home button works in Firefox, and even if a new window (Ctrl+n) shows your home page, the shortcut continues to drive you to the unwanted page.

To check for that:

  • Desktop shortcut: right-click the icon, choose Properties
  • Pinned taskbar icon: right-click the icon, right-click Mozilla Firefox, choose Properties

Windows normally will select the Shortcut tab. If not, go ahead and click the Shortcut tab.

The Target line should not have anything after this part:

  • 64-bit Windows, standard 32-bit Firefox: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe"
  • 64-bit Windows, test 64-bit Firefox: "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe"
  • 32-bit Windows: "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe"

If any URLs are listed after that, clear them out and save your change. To test, you can either:

  • Desktop shortcut: double-click the icon to launch a new window
  • Pinned taskbar icon: right-click the icon, click Mozilla Firefox to launch a new window

If you only get your home page, it worked. You probably need to do the same for your other browsers.

If problems still continue: I'll have more suggestions, but those are the typical things.