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Got malware, then reformatted, now missing bookmarks but not logins...?

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  • 1 has this problem
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  • آخر ردّ كتبه cor-el

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I got a nasty malware infection today, from [stupidly] downloading a file. The app installed all sorts of garbage all over the place including taking over Firefox and replacing Google search results with its own.

I'd been meaning to reformat + clean install Windows 7 anyway, so I did so immediately.

Now on the fresh install, I can log in to Firefox Sync, and all my logins are intact, however, my hundreds of bookmarks are "gone" and the Bookmark Toolbar won't let me add anything new to it either.

The thing is, the bookmarks *DO* still exist in FF on my Android... but as I understand there's no way to export bookmarks from mobile... (at least not without hacky-looking apps?)

I'm worried that it's going to sync "the wrong way" and delete them from the Android, but on the other hand, the strange toolbar behaviour might mean the data's still there but "stuck" or corrupt?

Any suggestions?

I'm on Windows 7 Home, running Firefox ESR 52/64-bit (same as previously).

I got a nasty malware infection today, from [stupidly] downloading a file. The app installed all sorts of garbage all over the place including taking over Firefox and replacing Google search results with its own. I'd been meaning to reformat + clean install Windows 7 anyway, so I did so immediately. Now on the fresh install, I can log in to Firefox Sync, and all my logins are intact, however, my hundreds of bookmarks are "gone" and the Bookmark Toolbar won't let me add anything new to it either. The thing is, the bookmarks *DO* still exist in FF on my Android... but as I understand there's no way to export bookmarks from mobile... (at least not without hacky-looking apps?) I'm worried that it's going to sync "the wrong way" and delete them from the Android, but on the other hand, the strange toolbar behaviour might mean the data's still there but "stuck" or corrupt? Any suggestions? I'm on Windows 7 Home, running Firefox ESR 52/64-bit (same as previously).
Attached screenshots

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WestEnd said

If you synced and there is no bookmark restored that would mean the bookmark wasn't saved. So unless you have it saved somewhere there not much that can be done here.

Not true. The bookmarks were saved in Firefox on my Android just fine.

The bookmarks existed in Firefox for Windows but were not loading for some reason (presumably corruption related to the Browser Hijack.)

Solution:

  • Uninstalled Firefox
  • Removed the entire folder at %AppData%/Mozilla
  • Re-installed Firefox

..my bookmarks have "returned".

Thanks for the help everyone.

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Hi

Thank you for your question about the Firefox Sync service.

It appears from your question, that you are using Firefox Sync as a back up service. This is not what Sync is designed to do. The Firefox Sync service takes a copy of the data you wish to include and transfers it to a second device (typically a mobile device such as a tablet or a telephone) running a copy of Firefox. The storage in between all attached devices is both temporary and fragile and is not stable enough to be (and is not designed as) a reliable backup service.

If you have a copy of your Firefox profile for desktop Firefox, you may be able to recover your bookmarks and other data. Please have a read of this article.

If you have a copy of your data on a mobile version of Firefox, please follow these instructions to connect it to Firefox Sync to copy your data.

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I appreciate the reply -- however I'm not exactly using sync as a "backup service"; I'm just basically syncing to a new device when it is added to the account (the newly formatted PC). I don't see the difference -- a full set of the data is currently stored on the phone.

Sync is two-way, correct? (if I add a bookmark from either the Android or the PC, it will be copied to the other, right?) This just needs to do the same thing.

Also, this doesn't explain why I can't add bookmarks at all anymore (while logged in to my sync account). Firefox also isn't remembering my visiting sites (for example, it will have no record of this page after I leave it.)

What about third-party apps that claim to be able to backup bookmarks from mobile devices? Are they to be trusted?

Obviously the data is stored "somewhere" on the cell, since I have access to the entire list from there. There must be a way to retrieve it, short of going through each bookmark manually on the cell.

Also, your explanation doesn't explain why my login/password data remained intact and *sync'd* over to the new install, but not the bookmarks.

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I missed the last line of your response until just now :

If you have a copy of your data on a mobile version of Firefox, please follow these instructions ...

...however as far as I can tell those instructions are just telling me how to log in to sync, which is what I've done, which is why I know there's a problem, since logins are syncing (and updating) but bookmarks are not (and can't be added). ...or are you suggesting that I create a new account? I'm not sure if the bookmarks will remain on the Android if I log out of the sync on there?

I'd appreciate if you have any other suggestions (or clarify if I'm misunderstanding the last step you sent)

Thanks!

Modified by ashleedawg

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If you synced and there is no bookmark restored that would mean the bookmark wasn't saved. So unless you have it saved somewhere there not much that can be done here.

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الحل المُختار

WestEnd said

If you synced and there is no bookmark restored that would mean the bookmark wasn't saved. So unless you have it saved somewhere there not much that can be done here.

Not true. The bookmarks were saved in Firefox on my Android just fine.

The bookmarks existed in Firefox for Windows but were not loading for some reason (presumably corruption related to the Browser Hijack.)

Solution:

  • Uninstalled Firefox
  • Removed the entire folder at %AppData%/Mozilla
  • Re-installed Firefox

..my bookmarks have "returned".

Thanks for the help everyone.

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Note that could have had a problem with the places.sqlite database

If it happens again then you can check for problems with the places.sqlite database (bookmarks and history) in the Firefox profile folder.

  • use "Verify Integrity" button on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page
    in case errors are reported close and restart Firefox and retry

See also: