Firefox Update Error from http://sec-check-12854.top is HIJACKING FIREFOX
A website has Hijacked FireFox 48.0.2 with a 'Text-Entry' pop-up form-box that cannot be terminated by the user. A phone number is given to call — it is a fraudulent hack-job trying to extort money or take over control of my infected PC.
=> I've uninstalled Mozilla FireFox, and then reinstalled with the latest version, however the history is retained and it's still Hijacked !! =>> I can start FireFox in Privacy Search mode – but cannot find a way to reset the default settings. =>>> How can FireFox be reset to the orginal settings, with the searching history & cookies and everything reset to default settings ??
Chosen solution
I found a fix for the "Firefox Update Error" Hijack issue for Firefox. I was able to start Firefox in a separate mode other than the regular browsing mode, and then reset the settings to the originals as if the program started up for the first time.
FIX — Start Firefox in Privacy Search mode, then: (1) in the upper-right corner of the Firefox window – click the Firefox 'Open menu' button
(2) then Click on the “Help” button ( ? ) at the very bottom-middle of help window
(3) then from the Help menu, Choose "Troubleshooting Information" (in middle of menu)
(4) then Click the “Refresh Firefox” button in the upper-right corner of the “Troubleshooting Information” page
(5) then Click on the “Refresh Firefox” button in the pop-up confirmation window
(6) Firefox will close itself and will revert to its default settings; this may take some time like a few minutes so please be patient.
(7) When defaults are restored, a window will list the information that was imported —> Click on 'Finish'.
The old Firefox profile will be placed on your desktop in a folder named “Old Firefox Data“. You can restore some of the info that wasn't retained by copying files to the new profile from this folder. If this folder isn't needed any longer, it should be deleted it as it can contain sensitive information.
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This add-on can stop such pages; disallow Script Button {web link} The Disallow Script button looks like a letter "M" and the title is the Minus Script, drag and drop the button on a toolbar. If the button is not displayed then nothing operates, except rules for plugins.
Another way out of the trap is to (force it if needed) Close Firefox. Wait about 20 seconds for Firefox to finish closing. Right click on the Firefox icon and select Open New Window. Sometimes this works. If it opens, close it by Menu > File > Exit. This will flush out that web page from the Session Store.
You may have ad / mal-ware. Further information can be found in the Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware article.
Run most or all of the listed malware scanners. Each works differently. If one program misses something, another may pick it up.
Chosen Solution
I found a fix for the "Firefox Update Error" Hijack issue for Firefox. I was able to start Firefox in a separate mode other than the regular browsing mode, and then reset the settings to the originals as if the program started up for the first time.
FIX — Start Firefox in Privacy Search mode, then: (1) in the upper-right corner of the Firefox window – click the Firefox 'Open menu' button
(2) then Click on the “Help” button ( ? ) at the very bottom-middle of help window
(3) then from the Help menu, Choose "Troubleshooting Information" (in middle of menu)
(4) then Click the “Refresh Firefox” button in the upper-right corner of the “Troubleshooting Information” page
(5) then Click on the “Refresh Firefox” button in the pop-up confirmation window
(6) Firefox will close itself and will revert to its default settings; this may take some time like a few minutes so please be patient.
(7) When defaults are restored, a window will list the information that was imported —> Click on 'Finish'.
The old Firefox profile will be placed on your desktop in a folder named “Old Firefox Data“. You can restore some of the info that wasn't retained by copying files to the new profile from this folder. If this folder isn't needed any longer, it should be deleted it as it can contain sensitive information.
Very nice. But you then have to restore your Firefox.