hi, try to press the f12 key in order to open the firefox developer tools. then press f1 in order to get to the settings page there (or else click on the three dots on the top right of the devtools). in there tick the option to "disable javascript" in the advanced section, which will hopefully allow you to navigate away from this scamming site.

Dear Philipp Thanks very much for your reply - I'm very grateful. So far, I did what you said but clicking 'disable javascript' had no effect, sad to say - in that the fake update page remains there above the split page, in spite of my attempts to move away. This seems a more serious problem than I thought and I have no idea what to try next. But just want to thank you for your input so far. Also to let you know I have delays in responding because the laptop I'm using now is not always available and has only a partial keyboard...

ok, then another idea to recover - reboot the system and then press windowskey+r to open:

firefox.exe www.google.com

a firefox window should open up navigating to google, perhaps you can now just click on the X of the offending tab to get rid of it.

in the future to avoid threat/nuisances like this, you may want to consider installing an adblocking extension, since this is often spreading through malicious advertisements embedded on otherwise genuine websites: I found a fake Firefox update

Thank you so much Philipp. I will go and try what you suggest. There will be a delay, as mentioned before - sorry about that. But I will for sure let you know what happens.

If those don't work use cntl-alt-del function and use the task manager to kill that malware update screen and then see if you can find the install for that and remove it. Otherwise if Windows you need to do a "boot into safe Mode with Networking" to prevent it from loading and look online to find those who found out the real malware posing as FF to remove it.

What does the fake Firefox update screen look like as there has been a few variations over the years with a more recent example in https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/i-found-fake-firefox-update

To WestEnd Thanks loads for your knowledge and advice. I am trying hard to do what people are suggesting. I am slow. But I will definitely come back to say what happens. And meantime, thanks!

No one has mentioned you should give your self a scan : https://www.adlice.com/download/roguekiller/ use Portable Scanner

To James What does the fake update page look like? I am too petrified of its persistence to want to send a screenprint of it, but it was in primary colours of red and blue with lime green and unremoveable dialog boxes that said trick things such as 'click cancel to continue' - so I didn't touch them - but who knows, maybe I should have? Just hope you never see it.

HI, no you did the right think. Microsoft did that to Windows 7 users to update, They made the X the same as Cancel which both started the update at a later time but allowed it to be downloaded.

Do not worry if fell concerned about. Do not go try to find it. Just do give your self a scan in case you already have something that calls for the ads.

Please let us know if this solved your issue or if need further assistance.

To Philipp and to WestEnd Thank you both for your help. Here's what I've done so far. I followed what Philipp said and got my computer back in a half window. From there I went into my History and deleted the whole of today's history in an attempt to wipe out the page. I'm pretty sure that deleting the history will not remove the thing from wherever it is lurking - but it's a start to seeing more clearly. I am considering uninstalling the whole browser and reinstalling a new version. But I don't know if the rogue script wouldn't somehow tag along. I really don't want to go into the Registry to try to remove it, if it's there, because I don't know how to do that. I am using my backup browser - IE - for the time being. And I am continuing to see what else I can do - at the moment still following earlier instructions. For now, many thanks to you again - I hope to report further tomorrow. Still busy working on it...

Pkshadow said

No one has mentioned you should give your self a scan : https://www.adlice.com/download/roguekiller/ use Portable Scanner

This is why I asked you to do a scan.

Please just use www.malwarebytes.com to run a free scan. I have no idea what scanner you were suggested to use above but don't trust it.

Dear Pkshadow Thanks very much for your responses. I am pleased to have your input.

Dear Tyler Downer thanks very much for your advice. I am scared of all scans - but yes, I shall have to do one now, so I will take your suggestion. Thanks again.

Let me help you prevent any future problems:

• You only need one Anti-virus on your computer, Windows Defender. Fortunately, that's built into Windows by default. you can read https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17464/help-protect-my-computer-with-windows-defender to make sure it's enabled.
• Install malwarebytes, which I gave you above, and run manual scans once a month. You don't need to pay for it, just run it monthly.
• Remove ANY other anti-virus on your computer, including Norton, McAfee, AVG, etc. Remove them all.
• Make sure you update Windows. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12373/windows-update-faq
• Install a good adblocker in Firefox. https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/ublock-origin/
• Make sure Firefox updates itself automatically so you don't have to worry about it Update Firefox to the latest release
• Let us know if there are any other problems!

This won't guarantee you from infections, but it will block the most common from being a problem.

Dear Tyler Downer You have been a great help offering me these 6 tips. I'm very grateful. I will put them into action asap. I am still working on sorting out my problem and hope to get a result tomorrow. Thanks again.

To boot Windows into Safe Mode with Networking use the F8 key during the boot to get that option. This way only Windows will come up and anything else will not this is a test to see if your system hasn't be compromised by malware. And then you can go online and find resources to locate and remove the malware.

Hi. I said I would reply back here when I got sorted out, so here is my message.

12 July 2018

A Message to Everybody Here

I never thought anyone on a forum would reply when I wrote because I was terrified about a rogue webpage. Else I thought maybe I'd get a response in about a month when it was way too late. But no. All you great guys rushed in and helped me straight away.

I'm just so impressed with this response - three times over really - once for the speed of your reaction, twice for the amount of genuine caring involved (considering you were dealing with a total stranger), and three times for the amazing knowledgeability you all have of computers, the internet, and the really weird ways of them.

I know nothing of any of that territory, so to find a bunch of real, on-their-game experts who were prepared to help me until I found a solution has just been absolutely mind-blowing.

I can't thank you all enough because at one point I really felt like I was stuck in mud up to my neck and couldn't see anyone around to help me out - and then suddenly you lot came along and painstakingly got me disentangled. So wow, massive thanks to you for taking the time and trouble to tell me what to try for the best.

And it's all worked out in the end! I tried to do what you told me - somewhat ineptly - and now I'm finally free of that restricting malware page! This is no thanks to me, I had no idea what I was doing, it is all down to you and your sensible suggestions.

Many thanks to every one of you. I've now got my computer back - to my huge relief. And you are all totally BRILL! Thanks again!