Suspicious Thunderbird alert: Proceed to next message, yes or no?
Very suspicious, I've never seen this alert before. I wonder if it's from malware or a phishing email.
"Advance to next message in xxxx@xxxx.com? (email account) [Yes] [No]"
What the hell, there is no reason for this alert. That's why unread email headers are in bold. Also, a different email folder was open at the time. I have several addresses and none have ever produced this message. If it's a phishing scam or something, the Yes and No buttons could send some kind of info to a hacker / scammer. I closed the window by clicking the red X, top right corner.
Chosen solution
If you are reading emails in any mail account/ any folder and you are using any shortcut to go to next unread message, then you will see that pop up to confirm you want to got to next unread message in a different folder or mail account.
You must have unread emails in a different folder from the one you are currently accessing.
Any of the following will force the pop up before moving to another folder or mail account.
- You have just read the last unread message in a particular folder and press 'N' on keyboard.
- You are reading the last unread message in a particular folder and you are using the 'spacebar' on keyboard to scroll down as you are reading and the scroll is now at the end of the message, but you press 'Spacebar' once more (accidentally or deliberately).
It is possible to switch off getting the prompt and pressing N or spacebar will just auto go to the next unread mail, which might be in a different folder or different account without any prompt warning.
It is also possible to change the setting so that it does not got to next unread message if it is in a different folder.
What ever you would like can be set up: via 'Menu Bar': 'Tools' > 'Options' > 'Advanced' > 'General' tab OR via 'Mail Toolbar' : 'Menu icon' > 'Options' > 'Options' > 'Advanced' > 'General' tab
In search type: nav_ look for this line: mailnews.nav_crosses_folders default value = 1 Double click on that line to get an 'Enter integer value' pop up window. Enter the appropriate value depending upon what behaviour you require.
Mail Navigation preferences Set the "Advance to next unread message in [x] folder" behavior
- Enter 0 - will set: Always go to the next folder without prompting
- Enter 1 - will set: Ask before going (the default behaviour)
- Enter 2- will set: Never go to the next folder with unread messages
click on 'OK' Click on 'OK' to close and save Options.
Read this answer in context 👍 2All Replies (7)
That does not sound like anything Thunderbird generated.
P.S., ALSO UNUSUAL - when turning on this PC today (Win8), first try didn't open to the usual login screen. It remained solid grey. I had to force quit and restart, then it started up normally with the login screen. I wonder if it has a virus... Thanks for any thoughts!
No idea on that one. Can you have your antivirus software do a complete scan just to be sure?
Here's a snapshot of the weird alert:
My guess is you have used up all the unread messages in the current mail account and Thunderbird is asking for confirmation to move to unread messages in the next mail account.
I vaguely recall such a message occurring on changing from one mail account to the next when using the next unread message button.
Thanks Matt, you may be right. Altho I think I still had an unopened message in the open inbox, which is still unopened. And why now, this one time, after years of opening all messages in all inboxes? And why require a Yes or No, as if it's of vital importance, makes no sense.
I ran a Kaspersky anti-virus app and it found nothing. I still suspect it's from a phishing attachment.
Another post was about this problem: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1102160 In that case, the person got the same Confirm request and clicked No, then the request kept appearing for every message. - I did not click Yes or No, I closed the request window and it hasn't reappeared. If it's in the program, I find it useless and disturbing.
Chosen Solution
If you are reading emails in any mail account/ any folder and you are using any shortcut to go to next unread message, then you will see that pop up to confirm you want to got to next unread message in a different folder or mail account.
You must have unread emails in a different folder from the one you are currently accessing.
Any of the following will force the pop up before moving to another folder or mail account.
- You have just read the last unread message in a particular folder and press 'N' on keyboard.
- You are reading the last unread message in a particular folder and you are using the 'spacebar' on keyboard to scroll down as you are reading and the scroll is now at the end of the message, but you press 'Spacebar' once more (accidentally or deliberately).
It is possible to switch off getting the prompt and pressing N or spacebar will just auto go to the next unread mail, which might be in a different folder or different account without any prompt warning.
It is also possible to change the setting so that it does not got to next unread message if it is in a different folder.
What ever you would like can be set up: via 'Menu Bar': 'Tools' > 'Options' > 'Advanced' > 'General' tab OR via 'Mail Toolbar' : 'Menu icon' > 'Options' > 'Options' > 'Advanced' > 'General' tab
In search type: nav_ look for this line: mailnews.nav_crosses_folders default value = 1 Double click on that line to get an 'Enter integer value' pop up window. Enter the appropriate value depending upon what behaviour you require.
Mail Navigation preferences Set the "Advance to next unread message in [x] folder" behavior
- Enter 0 - will set: Always go to the next folder without prompting
- Enter 1 - will set: Ask before going (the default behaviour)
- Enter 2- will set: Never go to the next folder with unread messages
click on 'OK' Click on 'OK' to close and save Options.
Modified by Toad-Hall