Could they be files that you were downloading before but did not finish?

What are the names of the files? Have you tried to cancel them?

Hi, and sorry for the late reply. My power was off to my unit from Monday morning to late yesterday.

I still have the problem. Firefox is the reason why I get this download whatever it is. I don't know how to find out what or where it goes to as it comes in. Any help would be appreciated as all of my many bookmarks have been made using Firefox over the years. I have a satellite setup for internet. I don't appreciate losing half a Gig a month or more to this unknown download.

When do these downloads happen? What are the names of the files?

Start Firefox in Safe Mode {web link} by holding down the <Shift> (Mac=Options) key, and then starting Firefox.

A small dialog should appear. Click Start In Safe Mode (not Refresh). Is the problem still there?

Hi, you surprised me. It just dawned on me that it is Thanksgiving. Was just logging out when I noticed your reply, thanks for that.

The download occurs when I first boot up my computer, and also sometimes if I restart my pc. There is no further intrusions after the initial 10 to 12 Mb as long as the pc stays connected and running.

I will try your suggestion here shortly.

Restarted and connected, then safe mode results in no download. Closed safe mode and opened Firefox and the download started up. Closed after 1 Mb came in and went back to safe mode, and the unwanted download is gone.

So I would assume that it is one of my add ons that is causing this. Later on I will remove and then reinstall them one by one to see which one is the problem. I use awesome screensaver, ghostery, a video downloader, and no script.

I will keep track of this for a few day, then let you know if I found anything specific. Didn't know about safe mode, thanks for that.

You can check the about:networking page via the location/address bar to see if that gives more detail.

The download has now shrunk to 1Mb when first connecting to the internet.

Question is that due to running Firefox in safe mode? Is that all it took to stop the 10+Mb download? I still have all of the addons in place afetr disabling then enabling them. Anyway, thanks to both of you for the above suggestions.

Did you look at the about:networking page?

FredMcD said

When do these downloads happen?
What are the names of the files?

@ Fred ...I have never been able to figure out how to see what is being received. I open Firefox, and within a few seconds up to 17 Mbs received would show up in the internet/access window. I watch my usage as I have to ration it to make 30 days.

Then the incoming was a regular 10 to 12 Mb up until using your suggestion of "safe mode". Now It is only 1 Mb of something, and that is probably from one of the add-ons. Any suggestions on how I could find out what the incoming bytes are? Thanks for the reply.

@ cor_el ...no, but I took a look at the "about" page just now. Thanks, I will use that later on.

Let's try this; Shut down the computers access to the web, including WiFi and cable. Then start Firefox. Any errors?

@ Fred ...used "about networking" this time. Still get one Mb when opening the browser, so no problem there anymore. The "about" page shows nothing unusual from what I can see. So it seems that the problem has gone away. The "about networking" page is a good tool. I will use it regularly for awhile to get familiar with what it shows. Thanks again for your help.

Glad to help. Safe Surfing.