When I click on Help/About Firefox it shows that I'm up to date and using FF 6.0.2 - but when I try to access Google Plus it states that I'm using FF 3.6 - ??
It happens when playing certain games on Facebook, when I attempt to join Google Plus, and when I attempt to add FF plug-ins.
Chosen solution
The info on the right margin is from when you started the question, and is static information. To see the current User Agent String the easiest thing is to use
- Firefox Button -> Help -> Troubleshooting Information
- see also
Or do a web search for sites that will display your User Agent String
I suspect that the fastbrowser search, although it may have a website also includes installation of software on your computer, make sure you ask the ISP about that. I have now found http://www.fastbrowsersearch.com/ which could be the search site you use, and apparently includes an uninstall option and help information.
It appears I may have been incorrect in implying the problem is caused by malware. Who is your ISP by the way?
Note also Firefox itself may provide some limited but useful security in searching and using the web see
- http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/phishing-protection/
which explains this, and how to on the protection by using- http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/phishing-protection/
- although you are now likely to access the option from the firefox button see Security and passwords settings
All Replies (10)
Something has changed your user agent string. At one time some software extensions did that , but I thought it no longer occurred. Are you using a version of firefox downloaded or installed from someone other than Mozilla ?
Your user agent string as shown aside in more system details ... is shown as
User Agent Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.9.1.3) Gecko/20090824 Firefox/3.5.3 (.NET CLR 3.5.30729) FBSMTWB
Otherwise some software, possibly a toolbar, or even malware has changed this. Your browser is appearing to other to be Firefox 3.5 not Firefox 6.
(note also similar question /questions/877781#answer-249292 )
Modified
I only download from the FF site. Though I was using a cyberdefender program for a while - might be the culprit.
So, how do I change it back?
Are you using User Agent Switcher (an extension)? Do you have a setting in about:config called "general.useragent.override" with the Firefox 3.6.3 version setting?
Not that I know of. Will check if I can figure out where I'm supposed to look.
I typed in about:config, then when in the config, I typed "general.useragent.override" and nothing came up.
Doing a quick web search on "Mozilla FBSMTWB" brings up a few entries relating to Fast Browser Search, which could be a toolbar or malware see for instance:
- Fast Browser Search won't go away! Mozillazine forum
- and our forum questions include /questions/877580#answer-248982, /questions/825383#answer-188023, /questions/781790#answer-135145
- Troubleshoot issues with plugins like Flash or Java to fix common Firefox problems _ manually uninstalling a plugin
N.B. Some plugins may be removable by using the Operating System
Possibly software making this sort of change may have more than one name, looks like you need to hunt down anything suspicious looking. You could try changing your User Agent String, but there is a strong possibility changes would be overridden or reversed by whatever the malware/toolbar is.
See
- Web sites or add-ons incorrectly report incompatible browser
an archived article but looks relevant still - http://kb.mozillazine.org/Resetting_your_useragent_string_to_its_compiled-in_default
Modified
Thank you. Will look into it. I know that Fast Browser Search is provided by my ISP. Never wanted it and hate when it comes up if I search via the URL bar.
Will talk to my ISP and see if I can get help from them.
--Update --
Removed the FBS from both FF and IE8.
Am able to use the web apps now as well as login to Google Plus- but here on FF Help on the right margin under System Info it still reports FF 3.5.
Uh??
Modified
Chosen Solution
The info on the right margin is from when you started the question, and is static information. To see the current User Agent String the easiest thing is to use
- Firefox Button -> Help -> Troubleshooting Information
- see also
Or do a web search for sites that will display your User Agent String
I suspect that the fastbrowser search, although it may have a website also includes installation of software on your computer, make sure you ask the ISP about that. I have now found http://www.fastbrowsersearch.com/ which could be the search site you use, and apparently includes an uninstall option and help information.
It appears I may have been incorrect in implying the problem is caused by malware. Who is your ISP by the way?
Note also Firefox itself may provide some limited but useful security in searching and using the web see
- http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/phishing-protection/
which explains this, and how to on the protection by using- http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/phishing-protection/
- although you are now likely to access the option from the firefox button see Security and passwords settings
ISP is shaw.ca . Also noted last night that my IE8 is supplied by ISP - hm - think that happened when I downloaded the upgraded AV program from them.
Help/Troubleshooting Information shows FF 6.0.2 with User Agent info of: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:6.0.2) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/6.0.2
Am going to try to replace the IE8 today and see if that helps.
Hi Nxwest,
Glad you seem to be making progress, post back again if you still have problems.