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Recently several websites have started in tabs all by themselves. How can I prevent this from continuing?

DBEAK
DBEAK
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I will be doing something on Firefox and out of nowhere a tab opens up with an offer or to a website I have not clicked on or requested. Its as if Firefox has some kind of built in thing, maybe its from an add-on I don't know, but I am absolutely certain I have not caused it. It takes place while I am reading something, and have not clicked on anything. Any ideas how can I find out where this is coming from and put a stop to it?

I will be doing something on Firefox and out of nowhere a tab opens up with an offer or to a website I have not clicked on or requested. Its as if Firefox has some kind of built in thing, maybe its from an add-on I don't know, but I am absolutely certain I have not caused it. It takes place while I am reading something, and have not clicked on anything. Any ideas how can I find out where this is coming from and put a stop to it?

All Replies (1)

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Are the new tabs ads for things?

Generally speaking, the possible sources of new tabs are:

(1) Sites you have open in that same window (2) Add-ons (3) External programs sending a URL to your default browser

For #1, you're right that usually you would need to click something extra to generate a new tab, but there are occasionally new windows or tabs generated by moving from one page to the next. You could consider adding an ad-blocking extension such as: https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/ublock-origin/

For #2, you can view, disable, and often remove unwanted or unknown extensions on the Add-ons page. Either:

  • Ctrl+Shift+a (Mac: Command+Shift+a)
  • "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons
  • type or paste about:addons in the address bar and press Enter/Return

In the left column of the Add-ons page, click Extensions. Then cast a critical eye over the list on the right side. Any system extensions that Firefox installs on its own are hidden from this page, so everything listed here is your choice (and your responsibility) to manage. Anything suspicious? If in doubt, disable.

For #3, you could temporary change your default browser to Internet Explorer to see whether tabs start opening there, but this is not usually the problem.