What annoying malware are you referring to?

Our support article "Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware" links to a number of free scanning/cleaning programs that can take care of a wide range of infections. The programs should not require any payment to complete their tasks. If they do not work, please let us know the remaining symptoms, or you could try the specialized malware cleaning forums listed in the article.

"From around the web"

Oh, got it. I found an article here you could review: https://malwaretips.com/blogs/remove-from-around-the-web-ads/

When you get to their Step 4 (reset browsers), you may be able to be more selective in your approach and save yourself some work in reconfiguring a bunch of settings:

Open Firefox's Add-ons page using either:

• Ctrl+Shift+a
• "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons
• in the Windows "Run" dialog, type or paste
  firefox.exe "about:addons"

In the left column, click Plugins. Set nonessential and unrecognized plugins to "Never Activate".

In the left column, click Extensions. Then, if in doubt, disable (or Remove, if possible) unrecognized and unwanted extensions. All extensions are optional; none come with Firefox.

Often a link will appear above at least one disabled extension to restart Firefox. You can complete your work on the tab and click one of the links as the last step.

I found this article too, along with 3 others. Did everything they said, didn't work. Downloaded 4 different malware removal programs, also didn't work.

Could you test in Firefox's Safe Mode? In Safe Mode, Firefox temporarily deactivates extensions, hardware acceleration, and some other advanced features to help you assess whether these are causing the problem.

If Firefox is not running: Hold down the Shift key when starting Firefox.

If Firefox is running: You can restart Firefox in Safe Mode using either:

• "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Restart with Add-ons Disabled
• Help menu > Restart with Add-ons Disabled

and OK the restart.

Both scenarios: A small dialog should appear. Click "Start in Safe Mode" (not Refresh).

Any difference?

Just did it. Nope, still there. This has to be the worst malware ever created

I think we're getting closer. It sounds like a rare type of program folder infection. Please try this next:

Clean Reinstall

We use this name, but it's not about removing your settings, it's about making sure the program files are clean (no inconsistent or alien code files). As described below, this process does not disturb your existing settings. Do NOT uninstall Firefox, that's not needed.

(A) Assuming you have SP3 installed on your XP: Download a fresh installer for Firefox 45.0.1 from https://download-installer.cdn.mozilla.net/pub/firefox/releases/45.0.1/win32/ to a convenient location. Scroll down to your preferred language, for example, en-US means U.S. English, and click into the folder. Then download the larger installer (not the stub).

If you are still on SP2: You'll need to first install Firefox 43.0.1 and then update from the internal updater: https://download-installer.cdn.mozilla.net/pub/firefox/releases/43.0.1/win32/

(B) Exit out of Firefox (if applicable).

(C) Rename the program folder as follows:

C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox

to

C:\Program Files\Fx43

(D) Run the installer you downloaded in step (A). It should automatically connect to your existing settings.

Are the ads gone?

Note: Some plugins may exist only in that Fx43 folder. If something essential is missing, look in these folders, but I suggest only copying what you recognize to be useful as there may be old junk in here:

• \Fx43\Plugins
• \Fx43\browser\plugins

I found a site which has a remedy which actually works. Just did it, worked perfectly.

http://tarstarkas.net/2013/09/use-adblock-to-block-those-around-the-web-sites-outbrain-taboola-zergnet/

Oh - these were just very annoying website ads and not evidence of an infection. I should have asked you for a screenshot earlier! Anyway, to aid others who might come across this thread, please mark your post about using Adblock Plus as the solution:

https://support.mozilla.org/questions/1115138#answer-858533

You've never heard of the "From around the web" malware? Wow....google it, you'll find dozens of pages about it,

Michael1520 said

You've never heard of the "From around the web" malware? Wow....google it, you'll find dozens of pages about it,

I did search for it and gave you a link I found about it, but what you linked to describes some common web advertising intentionally displayed by the sites themselves -- no malware involved.