Firefox upgrade causing problems
I upgraded Firefox yesterday after getting an "urgent" message that I needed to upgrade. Since then I have been having problems with crashes, freezes, can't load, not responding message, lost my homepage information. Would like to go back to the previous version, which worked fine.
All Replies (3)
So sorry, but I think you may have fallen for a phishing scam pushing malware. Firefox doesn't promote updates on web pages like that, the update notifications are quite subtle.
To clean up, please start with the free version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware: https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/
Hopefully that will clear out the intruder(s) and then we can assist in cleaning up any other message related to your Firefox settings or browsing experience.
Meanwhile, there is a Firefox 48 update available, but I suggest holding off on that until you feel your computer is back to normal with Firefox 47.
cherylmullings said
I upgraded Firefox yesterday after getting an "urgent" message that I needed to upgrade.
Was this a random name website with a Firefox logo and a prompt to download a firefox-patch.js ?
This is not from Mozilla or the Firefox web browser. The fake firefox-patch.exe and firefox-patch.js files can install things like trojans, viruses, unwanted software or to download additional stuff onto Windows based on past reports if the user runs them.
The Firefox updates are done internally in Firefox (with a .mar type of file) whether on Windows, Mac OSX or Linux or by download from mozilla.org like say www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/
You could try using a adblocker extension like uBlock Origin to block theses fake ads if you keep getting them. https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/ublock-origin/
Unfortunately this has gone on for several weeks now with one or two new sites reported almost everyday. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/forums/contributors/712056/ and https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/forums/contributors/712075
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 if you don't already have one. Windows 8/10 have antivirus protection built-in.
Further information can be found in the Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware article.