The about:config section really doesn't have anything to do with why you are getting popups.

Have you tried simply scanning your computer for malware? That's a pretty common cause of popups and the other stuff that you have described. Sometimes a problem with Firefox may be a result of malware installed on your computer, that you may not be aware of.

You can try these free programs to scan for malware, which work with your existing antivirus software:

• Microsoft Safety Scanner
• MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware
• Anti-Rootkit Utility - TDSSKiller (for more info, see this alternate TDSSKiller download page)
• AdwCleaner (for more info, see this alternate AdwCleaner download page)
• Hitman Pro
• ESET Online Scanner

Microsoft Security Essentials is a good permanent antivirus for Windows 7/Vista if you don't already have one. Windows 8/10 have antivirus protection built-in.

Further information can be found in the Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware article.

Hope this helps.

Wesley Branton said

The about:config section really doesn't have anything to do with why you are getting popups. Have you tried simply scanning your computer for malware? That's a pretty common cause of popups and the other stuff that you have described. Sometimes a problem with Firefox may be a result of malware installed on your computer, that you may not be aware of. You can try these free programs to scan for malware, which work with your existing antivirus software:

• Microsoft Safety Scanner
• MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware
• Anti-Rootkit Utility - TDSSKiller (for more info, see this alternate TDSSKiller download page)
• AdwCleaner (for more info, see this alternate AdwCleaner download page)
• Hitman Pro
• ESET Online Scanner

Microsoft Security Essentials is a good permanent antivirus for Windows 7/Vista if you don't already have one. Windows 8/10 have antivirus protection built-in. Further information can be found in the Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware article. Hope this helps.

No malware on my computer friend ! Funny -- most of the solutions I find involve about:config. I already have every app you cited. You're on the wrong trail, hound dog...

Hi Chrislongski, Firefox doesn't have any built-in features related to floating videos and overlays in pages unless they are covered by Content Blocking/Tracking Protection. I think uBlock Origin might be able to hide some of them. You could look for help with filters over here: https://www.reddit.com/r/uBlockOrigin/

Pop-unders are basically pop-up windows. If you click something, a page is allowed to open a popup/pop-under. While there is a way to reduce exceptions to the built-in popup blocker, you may need to be able to open popups, so an extension would allow more flexibility. I'm not familiar with any specific to that problem.

You listed an extension called "Flash Blocker". What is that, can you provide a link to the source? As you probably know, Flash can't run on a page without your approval, so I suspect that extension is not needed. More info: Why do I have to click to activate plugins?

I have UBlock Origin -- no effect. Yes -- Firefox has no features or extensions related to floating videos -- a wonderful reason to mistrust the browser. You can go round and round and round and round and round and round trying to get rid of annoying floating videos in FF. I am near the point of uninstalling and stop going round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round...

The reason that Firefox can do little to combat floating videos on websites is because it gets very difficult to tell what's a legitimate part of a web page and what's malicious. That's what third-party ad blockers or content filtering add-ons are for.

Do you still get the popups when running in Safe Mode? Does it happen on multiple sites or just a specific site(s)?

Chrislongski said

jscher2000 said

I think uBlock Origin might be able to hide some of them. You could look for help with filters over here: https://www.reddit.com/r/uBlockOrigin/

I have UBlock Origin -- no effect.

It sounds like you didn't try what I suggested. You need to visit the uBlock Origin community and find or request a filter to target specific in-page elements. That's true for any browser you use with any ad blocker.

I am using ublock, and it will block a video. However, each video has a unique address, so it's worthless to block an individual video. Below is an example. The pop out is at the bottom right. It mirrors a video at the top of the webpage, and when I scroll down the video pops out. It often blocks content. It's annoying. The video always autoplays even though autoplay is turned off in the security options.

I've been fighting this for months, too. Nothing works. You search the issue, and all you find is blocking video in security options or on the config page. Any suggestions would be helpful. This particular page is at:

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/12/29/detroit-lions-2020-nfl-draft/2771710001/

First I make sure all the FF autoplay options are NO. Even legit videos that float are annoying. I use AdBlocker Ultimate and element blocking function for UBlock. I block the floating videos individually, even the 'legit' ones. They almost always stay gone. But they are getting more resistant to being blocked. Often, a floating video is comprised of 4-5 elements and all have to be blocked separately. I guess the theory is you'll get tired of all the blocking and give up. AdBlocker Ultimate gives the option of blocking similar elements on a site or other sites but I never have much luck with that...

These are the addons I have and tweaked to stay ad free and (mostly) floating video free. Blur, UBlock Origin, Element Hider, AdBlocker Ultimate, Ghostery, DisconnectMe and Disable JavaScript.

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/12/29/detroit-lions-2020-nfl-draft/2771710001/ </blockquote>

I have floaters at USA Today blocked and am not seeing them on the link you provided. See my post from a few minutes ago on this...

Thanks, Chrislongski! I'll give them a try. Also, can you run more than one ad blocker at a time?

DanP. said

Thanks, Chrislongski! I'll give them a try. Also, can you run more than one ad blocker at a time?

Yes ! I have tested all those addons to run together and they do. UBlock and AdBlocker Ultimate run just fine together and, with Element Hider added, you have two methods to chose how you are blocking ads, videos etc. Ghostery can be tuned very nicely through its interface and elements on a page selectively blocked and unblocked in one popup interface. Sometimes Disable JavaScript by itself will clear the floating videos from a page.