Fake FireFox Security Warning, Your update is ready
I clicked on a link to go to page 2 on a message board. A tab opened to a different web address. Below:
FireFox Security Warning https://oolultopwereldvastgoed.net/f090e423edf3bd6d8558c3082c3ec74e.htm...
Check attached srceenshot.
The tab seemed to opened exactly at the same time I clicked on the page 2 link. This could have been a coincidence, that at the same time I clicked, the tab opened. The weird thing is there was no history of the said site in "Show All History".
I did a malwarebytes scan with zero threats identified. I did a full scan with MSE antivirus software with no threats identified.
I still do not know how this tab appeared. Or were it came from and how it was generated.
My computer at the moment seems to be functioning correctly. I have also tried to recreate it by clicking on the page 2 link with no results.
Because I did not download this fake update, does this mean my computer is not infected?
Modified by jorb
Chosen solution
Correct :-) However if you would like to be safe there are always the malware lists: 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
- 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/XP if you don't already have one. Windows 8 has antivirus built-in already.
Further information can be found in the Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware article.
Did this fix your problems? Please report back to us!
Read this answer in context 👍 0All Replies (5)
If you get a pop-up message asking to update Firefox or plugins or scanning for malware then such a message is likely a scam and you should never respond to such an alert to avoid getting infected with malware.
- Only update Firefox via "Help > About" or by downloading and installing Firefox from the Mozilla server and never via a pop-up or link on a web page.
- Plugins should only be updated via the plugin itself or by visiting the home page of the plugin.
Note that Firefox 43.0.3 has just been released.
- Help > About
cor-el said
If you get a pop-up message asking to update Firefox or plugins or scanning for malware then such a message is likely a scam and you should never respond to such an alert to avoid getting infected with malware.Note that Firefox 43.0.3 has just been released.
- Only update Firefox via "Help > About" or by downloading and installing Firefox from the Mozilla server and never via a pop-up or link on a web page.
- Plugins should only be updated via the plugin itself or by visiting the home page of the plugin.
- Help > About
Do you have to download/install the pop-up message in order for the computer to get infected?
Thanks for the heads up on Firefox 43.0.3
Modified by jorb
The firefoxpatch.exe from that site will infect your Windows with CryptoLocker, a ransomware trojan if you were to run this .exe
James said
The firefoxpatch.exe from that site will infect your Windows with CryptoLocker, a ransomware trojan if you were to run this .exe
So just by getting the fake update in a tab is not enough to infect the computer. It has to be installed/downloaded and run to infect the computer. Correct?
Modified by jorb
Chosen Solution
Correct :-) However if you would like to be safe there are always the malware lists: 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
- 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/XP if you don't already have one. Windows 8 has antivirus built-in already.
Further information can be found in the Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware article.
Did this fix your problems? Please report back to us!
Modified by guigs