Help I think Firefox has been hijacked.
When I open any website with Firefox I get multiple "ads by name" popping up all over and can't even read the website. Also, when I try to open most common websites, such as hotmail, gmail or youtube I get a message saying "this connection is untrusted", and with gmail it won't even give me the option to click "I understand the risks" so I can't get on gmail at all!
I have tried all of the following: scanning computer with McAfee, Adwcleaner, Malwarebytes, HitmanPro, Bitdefender, SpyHunter, AdGuard, Avast Browser Cleanup, and Emisoft Anti-Malware. They all show my computer as being completely clean. I have checked my Add ons, plugins and extensions. I have checked control panel "add and remove programs". I have finally refreshed Firefox. When that still did not help, I uninstalled Firefox and re-installed it. Still nothing has made any difference at all :(
This is not affecting any other browser (chrome or IE)
At this point I am completely unable to use Firefox at all, and it's my favorite! Please help.
Thanks
Chosen solution
A sudden rash of certificate errors after a Refresh usually is caused by Firefox no longer being set up to work with security software that filters secure connections. Those products include avast! 2015, BitDefender, ESET, and Kaspersky. Do you use any of those? If you have created exceptions for some sites, you can look at the certificates and the "Issued by" section usually points to the "man in the middle."
Regarding Ads by Name, there is a rash of that going around and the solution is not yet clear. When you reinstalled, you probably did not remove the Firefox program folder, so I suggest trying it this way:
Clean Reinstall
We use this name, but it's not about removing your settings, it's about making sure the program files are clean -- and do not contain alien code files. As described below, this process does not disturb your existing settings. Do NOT uninstall Firefox, that's not needed.
(1) Download a fresh installer for Firefox 37.0.1 from https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/ to a convenient location. (Scroll down to your preferred language.)
(2) Exit out of Firefox (if applicable).
(3) Rename the program folder
(64-bit Windows folder names)
C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox
to
C:\Program Files (x86)\OldFirefox
(32-bit Windows folder names)
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox
to
C:\Program Files\OldFirefox
(4) Run the installer you downloaded in #1. It should automatically connect to your existing settings.
Any difference?
Note: Some plugins may exist only in that OldFirefox folder. If something essential is missing, look in these folders:
- \OldFirefox\Plugins
- \OldFirefox\browser\plugins
All Replies (5)
Chosen Solution
A sudden rash of certificate errors after a Refresh usually is caused by Firefox no longer being set up to work with security software that filters secure connections. Those products include avast! 2015, BitDefender, ESET, and Kaspersky. Do you use any of those? If you have created exceptions for some sites, you can look at the certificates and the "Issued by" section usually points to the "man in the middle."
Regarding Ads by Name, there is a rash of that going around and the solution is not yet clear. When you reinstalled, you probably did not remove the Firefox program folder, so I suggest trying it this way:
Clean Reinstall
We use this name, but it's not about removing your settings, it's about making sure the program files are clean -- and do not contain alien code files. As described below, this process does not disturb your existing settings. Do NOT uninstall Firefox, that's not needed.
(1) Download a fresh installer for Firefox 37.0.1 from https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/ to a convenient location. (Scroll down to your preferred language.)
(2) Exit out of Firefox (if applicable).
(3) Rename the program folder
(64-bit Windows folder names)
C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox
to
C:\Program Files (x86)\OldFirefox
(32-bit Windows folder names)
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox
to
C:\Program Files\OldFirefox
(4) Run the installer you downloaded in #1. It should automatically connect to your existing settings.
Any difference?
Note: Some plugins may exist only in that OldFirefox folder. If something essential is missing, look in these folders:
- \OldFirefox\Plugins
- \OldFirefox\browser\plugins
Couple other suggestions:
Open the Windows Control Panel, Uninstall a Program. After the list loads, click the "Installed on" column heading to group the infections, I mean, additions, by date. This can help surface innocent sounding bundle items that snuck in with some software you agreed to install. Take out as much trash as possible here.
Also, could you check whether Firefox has a non-standard connection setting? You can do that here:
"3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Options > Advanced > Network mini-tab > "Settings" button
The default "Use system proxy settings" should piggyback on your Windows/IE "LAN" settings. But you can try "No proxy" to see whether that makes any difference.
OK thanks I'll try those suggestions and let you know. I'm such a non technical person that it will probably take me awhile :)
Thank you SO much jscher2000! I tried everything you suggested and everything is back to normal. No more "ads by name" or any other kind :) And I can access websites again with no error message.
Moderator removed link that promoted a download of paid removal software. Please read the Forum rules and Guidelines and the message that was sent to you, thanks.
Modified by Shawn