Do you have AVG installed? Look at and adjust the options: http://www.avg.com/special-toolbar-how-to-disable-search-tlbrf.tpl-mcr1 ------------------------------------------ <br /> You need to update your plug-ins. It is important to keep them updated due to continuing security fixes and improvements in those plug-ins: * Adobe PDF Plug-In For Firefox and Netscape 8.2.4 * Next Generation Java Plug-in 1.6.0_20 for Mozilla browsers #Check your plugin versions: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/plugincheck/ #*'''Note: plugin check page does not have information on all plugin versions''' #'''Update Adobe Reader (PDF plugin):''' #*From within your existing Adobe Reader ('''<u>if you have it already installed</u>'''): #**Open the Adobe Reader program from your Programs list #**Click Help > Check for Updates #**Follow the prompts for updating #**If this method works for you, skip the "Download complete installer" section below and proceed to "After the installation" below #*Download complete installer ('''if you do <u>NOT</u> have Adobe Reader installed'''): #**Use Firefox to download and SAVE the installer to your hard drive from the link in the article below #**On the Adobe page, un-check any extra items (i.e. Free McAfee® Security Scan Plus) then click Download button #**If you see message just under tabs, DO NOT click the Allow button, instead click below that where it says "click here to download". #**Click "Save to File"; save to your Desktop (so you can find it) #**After download completes, close Firefox #**Click the installer you just downloaded and allow the install to continue #***Note: Vista and Win7 users may need to right-click the installer and choose "Run as Administrator" #**'''<u>Download link and more information</u>''': https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Using+the+Adobe+Reader+plugin+with+Firefox#Installing_and_updating_Adobe_Reader #*After the installation, start Firefox and check your version again. #'''Update Java:''' https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Using+the+Java+plugin+with+Firefox

never heard of avg.com; why would I have it installed?

Start Firefox in [[Safe Mode]] to check if one of your add-ons is causing your problem (switch to the DEFAULT theme: Tools > Add-ons > Themes). See [[Troubleshooting extensions and themes]] and [[Troubleshooting plugins]] ---- You can also try "Reset all user preferences to Firefox defaults" on the [[Safe mode]] start window.