UNSOLICITED PERSITENT REQUEST TO DOWNLOAD AN ADD-ON OF UNKONWN ORIGIN AND LEGITIMACY. How do I get rid of it?
I am so annoyed and cannot find solution on your site. Starting about a month ago, when I open Firefox, instead of my Home Page, a page named "Sponsorship" pops up & “urgently” states: (Copy of Screen) "Flash Video Downloader is required to download online video
100% FREE update Watch HD Movies online Supports FLV/Flash Beautiful HD video, faster graphics rendering, and high performance
Download will only takes a couple of minutes" Then asks me to install.
I ignored it multiple times; tried to contact the "producer" asking to desist, but no reply. Norton says the file is VERY New, but (apparently) safe. I checked FireFox Extensions page and a “Featured” Extension, which appears to be this “Flash Video Downloader” is listed, but when I check it out, the Developer seems to be someone different. I finally downloaded the file, but have not yet installed it. And I get a different name and company: InstallPath -Amonetize Ltd. in Israel! Is this legit or a “worm”. If latter, how do I GET RID OF IT? This is the address in the bar when it opens: http://staple.officebusinessupplies.com/t/?ilmernzkvtazn=5A3E8ED3B439D307&pu=&s=D-firefox&nm=ilmernzkvtazn&t= (I just "experimented" and re-opened this link, only to find a different page stating I must update my media player!) There is no consistency, so I am suspicious but I AM SO TIRED OF BEING BOTHERED! Must I uninstall and reinstall Firefox to get rid of it? sure hope not. Thank you in advance for any help in keeping me from going insane!
Chosen solution
Yes, lilcarol: Cor-el's info is correct. But, I did not even have to do the search (which is sometimes cumbersome), since suprau's answer gave me the needed folder directly. I am sure the problem is that the folder is currently Hidden in Windows Explorer File Manager( in my case, at the "AppData" folder). I am running Windows 8 and it's probably the same in Windows 7. to change the default to show "hidden" files and folders, 1) Open your Windows Explorer. 2) click on the "View Tab" in the top ribbon and make sure the "Hidden Files" field in the "Show/Hide" section is Checked.
Then when you follow the path prescribed by suprau, "all should be revealed" and you can gleefully delete the offending DSite folder.
Good luck. P.S. I am assuming that you are running Windows. If you cannot find the tab to select "show hidden files" as above; I would suggest searching Windows Help to find the steps to do so.
Read this answer in context 👍 1All Replies (14)
Hello,
The Reset Firefox feature can fix many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your essential information. Note: This will cause you to lose any Extensions, Open websites, and some Preferences.
To Reset Firefox do the following:
- Go to Firefox > Help > Troubleshooting Information.
- Click the "Reset Firefox" button.
- Firefox will close and reset. After Firefox is done, it will show a window with the information that is imported. Click Finish.
- Firefox will open with all factory defaults applied.
Further information can be found in the Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings article.
Did this fix your problems? Please report back to us!
Thank you.
To Tylerdowner: It's wrong solution.
To DrChaChaCha: You need to find all files and folders on your disk C: with names "DSite". Typically it is task for task manager and folder at this hidden path: C:\Users\%Your user name%\AppData\Roaming\DSite\. Just delete it all and reboot.
The first reply from Tylerdowner seemed a bit "scary" as I did not want to risk losing my preferences and settings. But, I was ready to try it until I got the next response from suprau. I found the file, just where he said it would be and followed that above directions and rebooted. After that, so far so good. No annoying unwanted window telling me to download something I never (at least knowingly) requested. I am hoping this fix is indeed permanent and will happily assume that it is. If the problem recurs I will update this post. In the meantime, thank you both for answering, but especially suprau!
Can you tell me how to find DSite in Task Manager? I would love to be able to delete this annoying thing. I don't know how to find this folder or the files you mentioned. Thanks, Carol
You can do a file and folder search in the Windows Explorer file manager.
You may need to search for hidden files/folders.
Chosen Solution
Yes, lilcarol: Cor-el's info is correct. But, I did not even have to do the search (which is sometimes cumbersome), since suprau's answer gave me the needed folder directly. I am sure the problem is that the folder is currently Hidden in Windows Explorer File Manager( in my case, at the "AppData" folder). I am running Windows 8 and it's probably the same in Windows 7. to change the default to show "hidden" files and folders, 1) Open your Windows Explorer. 2) click on the "View Tab" in the top ribbon and make sure the "Hidden Files" field in the "Show/Hide" section is Checked.
Then when you follow the path prescribed by suprau, "all should be revealed" and you can gleefully delete the offending DSite folder.
Good luck. P.S. I am assuming that you are running Windows. If you cannot find the tab to select "show hidden files" as above; I would suggest searching Windows Help to find the steps to do so.
I did find the DSite under Windows Tasks and deleted it but it wasn't in a folder. Thank you both. Sure hope this is the end of this PITA! Carol
It's baaaaaaaaaack! Only this time with a different address! Help please!
Carol
Sponsorship has many faces, here are three: I still run under Window XP where is DSite, don't have it, where you say.
Name: Sponsorship Http://ww.partydatenetwork.com /ng/?ilmernzkvtazn=0007E94364A51F89&pu=&s=D-firefox&nm=ilmernzkvtazn&t=
Name: Sponsorship http://staple.officebusinessupplies.com/t/?ilmernzkvtazn=0007E94364A51F89&pu=&s=D-firefox&nm=ilmernzkvtazn&t=
Name: Sponsorship http://web.tofushopnews.com/g/?ilmernzkvtazn=0007E94364A51F89&pu=&s=D-firefox&nm=ilmernzkvtazn&t=
rtkean
I got rid of it for a few days by deleting DSite located in Windows _ Tasks. I checked there and can't find it again or anything unusual. I am running Win 7.
lilcarol, glad to hear you finally got rid of the pest. RE: rtkean's post. My "Sponsorship" had the web address of the 2nd one listed in your post. Perhaps the fix is not the same for all of them. As far as what to do when running Windows XP, I do not have tech savvy to answer. Perhaps with Windows XP, you may have to use the more "severe" fix posted above by Tylerdowner. Hopefully, an administrator or ambassador for Mozilla, will be kind enough to post.
Dr ChaChaCha, only got rid of it temporarily Now it is back with a different web address.
Hello to all!
Try to understand one thing: this problem is not in your internet browser. This is malware ad-program. How you installed it on your system? I don't know, maybe with some browser plug-in, maybe with another software. If you delete folder with this program, you delete this annoyed popup windows. Important! Before try to find folder "DSite", you need to turn off option "Hide protected operating system files" and turn on option "Show hidden files, folders, and drives" in . I don't make screenshot for help because my Windows with russian localization.
Thank you suprau, I think I found it and deleted ! Finally figured out how to unhide folders. Fingers crossed!