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

why do I keep getting messages to download something when I log on and I didn't ask for a download.

  • 4 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by Grizzie99

more options

Also, When I double click on the Mozilla icon the first screen I get is a yahoo screen. I don't want to use yahoo I want to use Mozilla and I clicked on Mozilla icon. What is happening? When explaining what to do to fix the problem please consider that I am a 72 yr. old non-tecchie and am totally frustrated with getting multiple messages upon opening Mozilla and they all want me to do a download for something that I don't understand what it is they want me to download and I don't even know if it is from Mozilla since I didn't select it.

Also, When I double click on the Mozilla icon the first screen I get is a yahoo screen. I don't want to use yahoo I want to use Mozilla and I clicked on Mozilla icon. What is happening? When explaining what to do to fix the problem please consider that I am a 72 yr. old non-tecchie and am totally frustrated with getting multiple messages upon opening Mozilla and they all want me to do a download for something that I don't understand what it is they want me to download and I don't even know if it is from Mozilla since I didn't select it.

Chosen solution

Mozilla Firefox or Firefox is a web browser and not a website or search engine.

If you are using en-US then Yahoo is the default search engine being used in Firefox. You can change it to another search engine or just change your Homepage from about:home to something else.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/change-your-default-search-settings-firefox https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-to-set-the-home-page


Grizzie99 said

they all want me to do a download for something that I don't understand what it is they want me to download and I don't even know if it is from Mozilla since I didn't select it.

What is the website url you are seeing this on? Some Windows users using Firefox have lately been getting popups claiming to have a Firefox patch/update .exe which is fake.

Read this answer in context 👍 2

All Replies (4)

more options

Hi Grizzie99,

There is a possibility to set up certain homepage when opening Firefox.

First of all you should change your home page preferences: Go to Settings - General - and push button Restore to Default homepage. Then make sure you have Show my homepage selected in the dropdown menu.

The following support article also can help you: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-to-set-the-home-page

more options

Looking at your system and browser details, I see at least one add-on which could cause your yahoo homepage.

BrowserPlus -- Improve your browser!

I recommend to remove this add-on. Here is the detailed instruction on how to do it: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/disable-or-remove-add-ons

Modified by Artem Polivanchuk

more options

Chosen Solution

Mozilla Firefox or Firefox is a web browser and not a website or search engine.

If you are using en-US then Yahoo is the default search engine being used in Firefox. You can change it to another search engine or just change your Homepage from about:home to something else.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/change-your-default-search-settings-firefox https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-to-set-the-home-page


Grizzie99 said

they all want me to do a download for something that I don't understand what it is they want me to download and I don't even know if it is from Mozilla since I didn't select it.

What is the website url you are seeing this on? Some Windows users using Firefox have lately been getting popups claiming to have a Firefox patch/update .exe which is fake.

Modified by James

more options

It turns out that was the least of my problems - my system crashed and several $$$ and 8 hours later it is working again. Your info is still helpful now that everything is working.