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Firefox update I started to notice that icons for all my files changed on my Mac and they start to open only with Illustrator!?

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  • Last reply by FredMcD

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After Firefox update I started to notice that icons for all my files changed on my Mac and they start to open only with Illustrator!? Even DOC files! When I change setting back through Finder File Info it stays normal for short while but soon changes everything to Illustrator opening again!

Only solution is to close Firefox and restart a computer. Then all goes to normal and files have icons associated with their programs and open as needed. But if I open Firefox it changes everything to Illustrator opening again!

How and why Firefox access and change BASIC settings on Mac OS? It is not good if it is even possible.

I like Firefox and have a lot of bookmarks on it but cannot use it anymore! I searched online and there more complains about this problem.

Also I noticed that lately Firefox really slowed my old but good computer. What Firefox is doing? Mining bitcoin? What kind of information Firefox can access, change and use? What is going on?

After Firefox update I started to notice that icons for all my files changed on my Mac and they start to open only with Illustrator!? Even DOC files! When I change setting back through Finder File Info it stays normal for short while but soon changes everything to Illustrator opening again! Only solution is to close Firefox and restart a computer. Then all goes to normal and files have icons associated with their programs and open as needed. But if I open Firefox it changes everything to Illustrator opening again! How and why Firefox access and change BASIC settings on Mac OS? It is not good if it is even possible. I like Firefox and have a lot of bookmarks on it but cannot use it anymore! I searched online and there more complains about this problem. Also I noticed that lately Firefox really slowed my old but good computer. What Firefox is doing? Mining bitcoin? What kind of information Firefox can access, change and use? What is going on?

All Replies (5)

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Hi, sorry having issues. Strange indeed. It maybe mining bitcoin please do a scan and see : https://www.malwarebytes.com/mac/

Unfortunately not enough information : Please consider turning on send info to Mozilla from with in Firefox before posting a question. This helps us help you. I have no info from your system that would help see things that cause issues.

You can Copy/Paste about:support in to the Address Bar and see most things. Also if your Video Card Drivers have errors. All that would be sent to us so could determine what is going on in Firefox.

As for now, please run the scan and go from there. Thanks.

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Thank you for your response. It was a joke about bitcoin mining.

This problem is common for Mac users with Firefox, and it is definitely a Firefox bug. Look at these forums, especially the first one -

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8142156 https://forums.adobe.com/thread/2412747?start=40&tstart=0 https://forums.adobe.com/thread/2412747 https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8233783 https://forums.adobe.com/thread/2405260#2405260

People usually start to blame Apple and Adobe, only a few guessed that it is a Firefox bug. But when Firefox is closed and a computer is restarted everything goes back to normal.

Tomorrow I try to open Firefox again and send a request from within it as you are asking. Now I am on Safari.

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Hi that does not work like that. You would need to start a new question and that is not necessary. Bitcoin mining is common. Yes took it as a backhand comment (nicely), but you never know when things do not feel right. Is good to check.

The usual with a Mac (I am Windows) so no idea of location of anything as to where Firefox installs to, as saving these :

Then uninstall and go looking for Firefox and Mozilla Folders and delete them is good just do not delete the Profile Folders, as then reinstall from a full version installer from here :

Is quick way and not devastating as this one : Please Refresh but do this 1st: Delete your Cookies and Cache and TEST.

then

TEST....... If no issues then Extensions which need to be added back in 1 at a time and tested ..... Or it is your Profile : Make a new one and test ...:

If is your Profile :

Note: Any customization will revert back to default, you will also need to reinstall Extensions.

Please let us know if this solved your issue or if need further assistance.

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Thank you so much, Pkshadow!

Unfortunately I am kind of very busy and was not able to follow your instructions, may be later, when I have some time for that kind of intervention.

For now I am using Safari, although, as I already said, I like Firefox more. I really hope that maybe the next Firefox update can somehow remove this bug.

Also, as you asked earlier, I copied and posted the same question from the inside of Firefox that it may help developers to solve this problem.

I am OK with Safari, but still my biggest concern is why Firefox access and change the very basic settings on Mac OS. I start to think that Safari is may be ‘safer’ from my ‘just user’ perspective. Really I am not sure how to deal with it.

Thank you again!

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