Avatar for Username

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

popups, despite blocking

seshaw1
seshaw1
more options

Popups are driving me crazy, despite popup blocking being turned on. I tried with Apple support, but they got so far and quit, saying Firefox isn't their app and therefore, my problem isn't their problem. I haven't a clue what to do. The last thing Apple said was to eliminate Firefox or clear all history and that may eliminate the problem; of course it would eliminate all my passwords, too, a non-starter, a take on we had to destroy the village in order to save it. It comes from one source: via2.verifyrobot.info The enticements range from malware on your computer, to sex for sale, to turn on your anti-virus, to money-making schemes. I'll attach a screen shot with a variety of these (note: I tried, but the screen shot is too large).

Is there no way to get rid of this infestation? I'm not a computer scientist, and the articles that are offered to solve such problems might as well be written in Sanskrit. Help, please.

Stephen Shaw

Popups are driving me crazy, despite popup blocking being turned on. I tried with Apple support, but they got so far and quit, saying Firefox isn't their app and therefore, my problem isn't their problem. I haven't a clue what to do. The last thing Apple said was to eliminate Firefox or clear all history and that ''may'' eliminate the problem; of course it would eliminate all my passwords, too, a non-starter, a take on ''we had to destroy the village in order to save it.'' It comes from one source: via2.verifyrobot.info The enticements range from malware on your computer, to sex for sale, to turn on your anti-virus, to money-making schemes. I'll attach a screen shot with a variety of these (note: I tried, but the screen shot is too large). Is there no way to get rid of this infestation? I'm not a computer scientist, and the articles that are offered to solve such problems might as well be written in Sanskrit. Help, please. Stephen Shaw

All Replies (1)

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 25 Contributor
more options

Hi Stephen, have you ruled out a bad add-on? To test that, you could test in Firefox's Safe/Troubleshoot Mode. In that mode, Firefox temporarily deactivates extensions, hardware acceleration, any userChrome.css/userContent.css files, and some other advanced features to help you assess whether these are causing the problem.

If Firefox is running:

You can restart Firefox in Safe/Troubleshoot Mode using either:

  • "3-bar" menu button > Help > Troubleshoot Mode... (before Fx88: Restart with Add-ons Disabled)
  • (menu bar) Help menu > Troubleshoot Mode... (before Fx88: Restart with Add-ons Disabled)

and OK the restart. A small dialog should appear. Click the Open button (before Fx88: "Start in Safe Mode" button).

If Firefox is not running:

Hold down the option/alt key when starting Firefox. (On Windows, hold down the Shift key instead of the option/alt key.) A small dialog should appear. Click the Open button (before Fx88: "Start in Safe Mode" button).

Note: Don't use the Refresh without first reviewing this article to understand what will be deleted: Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings.

I suggest only visiting trusted websites for this test.

Any improvement? To return to normal, Quit Firefox and then start it up normally, or you can use the Restart button on the Help > More Troubleshooting Information page.