Hi, if worried start off fresh as 52.9.0esr is the last version available for XP/Vista and support ends at month end. https://www.mozilla.org/en-GB/firefox/organizations/all/

So that file is in the Profile so if saving anything Bookmarks and dump everything else to be safe.

When the prefs.js file is suspected by protection programs, it sometimes means that something in the file is accessing a 'bad' file.

You may have ad/mal-ware. Further information can be found in this article; https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-firefox-issues-caused-malware?cache=no

Run most or all of the listed malware scanners. Each works differently. If one program misses something, another may pick it up.

The prefs.js file only stores preference settings and can't really store a virus although it can link to malicious websites and show installed extensions. This file is interpreted and is never run as a JavaScript file despite its file extension. Firefox 52 still supports Legacy extensions that can run privileged XUL code and that would be a much more likely cause for issues.

Thanks to all of you! After posting to the forum, I found that I somehow missed a critical security update for XP, so I downloaded and installed it yesterday. Then I ran a Vipre Rescue safe-mode scan, which came up clean. Last night's Malwarebytes scan also came up clean. So, although it's difficult to type with my fingers crossed, I'm thinking whatever was repeatedly corrupting prefs,js is now gone. If not, I have saved y'all's advice!

Note, Windows XP is not supported by Microsoft, and there are no more updates to Firefox for XP either. It should not be used on the internet, no matter what anti-virus you have. It's just not safe.

Please update to either Windows 7 or 10 (I suggest 10), buy a new computer, or switch to linux.

The security update was released in 2017. I downloaded it from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=55245, which is a Microsoft site. As to my requirements for an OS and browser, your suggestions are noted, and these considerations continue to be factored in with the other relevant aspects of my highly unique computer needs.

Thanks for your concern.

Yes, but that's the last security update for XP. There will be no more. There are no more updates for Firefox. It's not safe to use. Please update ASAP or disconnect that computer from the internet.

soundguyrichard said

The security update was released in 2017. I downloaded it from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=55245, which is a Microsoft site.

Apart from some updates meant for POS and ATM's, Microsoft has made WinXP End Of Life or EOL ever since April 2014.

That 2017 update was a emergency critical security update and not Microsoft still supporting WinXP.

https://www.tomshardware.com/news/microsoft-critical-security-patch-windows-xp-8,34409.html

Dual booting with a light 32-bit Linux distro as some still support the ancient 32-bit CPU's like Lubuntu and Xubuntu is an option to be secure.

Firefox 53.0 and later requires Windows 7, 8 (8.1), 10 including the current 61.0.2 Release and 60.1.0 ESR. Sept 5 will be when 62.0 Release and 60.2.0esr will be out and no more updates for the legacy 52 ESR.