Here are two screen shots. The first one is of the random update message.

The second screen shot is a new issue. I tried to subscribe to this issue, and Firefox won't let me subscribe for the same reason, ie, "somebody is trying to trick Firefox".

Hi SkywayTraveller,

Sorry no answer, but I have taken an interest in this problem. Thanks for the screenshots and the system information.

Question could you tell me what happens when you try to update Firefox using

• Firefox Button -> Help -> About Firefox
  • Check you have opted for update checks use Firefox Button -> Options ->Advanced | Updates (see Advanced panel - Accessibility, browsing, network, updates, and other advanced settings in Firefox )

Does that report that Firefox is up-to-date. Note one version of Firefox I have installed is 4.0.1 so if you do have 4.0 installed I may expect it to be updating to 4.0.1 (4.0.1 official release notes 28th April 2011)

From what I have been told it appears

• the message is generated when Firefox has problems with the security certificates.
• at least some uses with this problem are using the Google Updater, and I note you do have Google Update listed as an installed plugin.

There is a possibility that Google updater is causing this and unintalling that may help, but if that is the case some of the less well known preferences may also then need resetting, and not something I think I can recommend at present, I will ask for advice on this.

Also see thread [/questions/815130]

P.S.
If the problem is seen or it is possible to recreate it the error console details will be useful, see the above mentioned thread.

i strongly suspect a phishing expedition; i did not click the "OK" button, instead clicked the X close button and fired up a full scan of my antivirus, was leaving for work quickly, but before i left i noticed my AV had found a high risk "hidden file" the scan will take hours, and i will not be back until 12 hours have passed, so i'll likely be posting update in AM

the pop up looked rather genuine... i'm wondering if i should have inspected it's source before closing...

THANKS

My initial though , expressed on another thread was that this error was most likely malware related. However there is such a message that firefox genuinely generates, in known circumstances, and at least in some cases this is happening, as is confirmed when the error console is looked out.

The techies are looking into it but it only occurs after five or more background update checks fail, and there is no reliable Steps To Reproduce. If anyone sees this error, reports will be welcome, especially if all the error console details can be checked and recorded, we are looking for certain error messages, namely relating to the security certificates, more detail in the busy thread /questions/815130

Hi,

On Windows XP SP3

When I click the about firefox, Fx checks for updates, tells me I am up to date (4.0.1) but gives the following errors - perhaps that has something to do with it?

https://support.mozilla.com/media/uploads/images/2011-05-26-02-55-35-c3f955.jpg

Error: Expected certificate attribute 'commonName' value incorrect, expected: 'aus3.mozilla.org', got: '*.mozilla.org'. Source File: resource://gre/modules/CertUtils.jsm Line: 60

Error: Certificate checks failed. See previous errors for details. Source File: resource://gre/modules/CertUtils.jsm Line: 72

I went to about:config and change aus2 to aus3 but that did not change anything. The same messages appear

I was under the impression this bug was fixed, although I did see another single recent report, I am making enquiries and will try to post again later.

(I note you say you are on 4.0.1 presumably that is the latest but I am on another channel at the moment.) There is a user side workaround of manually changing the pref yourself, unless this is a slightly different problem now occurring.

Just out of curiosity what is the earliest version you have updated from ?

• to check use Firfeox button->options | advanced | updates [] update history
  (above assuming a Windows System) see Advanced panel - Accessibility, browsing, network, updates, and other advanced settings in Firefox for all systems

P.S. Note current votes count on this thread 80 with 13 new Today. If others see this problem please either post a short comment or just click to confirm you have the problem currently.

Hello John99,

Here is some more info for you.

I never got Firefox to update to 4.01, because of all of the above stated errors. So I completely deleted Firefox, and ran only IE for about a week. Then I downloaded a new Firefox, and it gave me v4.01. It worked for a couple of days just like 4.00 did. Then I started getting the pop-up window, "Something is preventing Firefox from updating". I guess Firefox is a trying to go to 4.02. If not, then here is a clue that something is awry here. BTW, Firefox is taking longer to load than it was before v4.00. I thought it was supposed to load faster.

Some more help: I am running this Firefox 4.01 on Windows XP SP3 32-bit desktop. I also have a laptop running 64-bit Windows 7 Home Premium. My laptop has exactly the same anti-virus and security (avast and IOBit, respectively), and most of the same software. It works just fine, and it loads fast.

Think we have a Window XP specific problem?

My release Version is still on version 4.0.1 As for the message containing the word trick I know it is genrated from failed background checks, but I am not sure if that is only when an upgrade is offered or when the check itself fails. If you have the same problem as others recently changing the preference value so it includes aus3 instead of aus2 whilst attempting to upgrade should work (when upgrades are available).

If your laptop is ok you should be able to compare the preference values with the laptop, and will know when an upgrade is available as your Laptop will update.

You may have the same antivirus and security on the two machines, that does not mean that they necessarily have exactly the same settings. Security software is a common culprit when updates get blocked. i am using Windows XP and do not see problems, so any problem may not be down to XP. As for the faster load times of a 64 bit machine, then is that because it is a higher spec than the XP 32 bit machine ?

Whoops, I'm sorry, John99. I don't know where/how to find and change the preference value (from aus2 to aus3).

"I don't know where/how to find and change the preference value (from aus2 to aus3). "

There is more than one way to change that. The best solution your problem is to carefully do a fresh install. Do NOT take the option to delete settings, because that destroys your bookmarks etc.

1. download and save the new version as an installer from http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/all.html
2. uninstall firefox, and remove the program folder/directory that it is in
   • ( NOT the profile folder - which in XP is under Application data
     and ignore any offers to delete settings )
   • This action should be removing the file that causes the problem
3. Install Firefox by running the installer that you have already saved

• see also http://kb.mozillazine.org/Standard_diagnostic_%28Firefox%29#Clean_reinstall

Caution, it does include a warning because changing values of preferences may cause all sorts of problems, it is probably considered an advanced action, best done only on advice you trust, however it is safe to view the preferences without changing them. After the reinstall you should notice both the laptop and the desktop now have the preference with aus3 instead of aus2 . The messages about Firefox being tricked should then stop; and update checks should work, allowing you to update Firefox when appropriate.

If you want to check of change preferences they may be accessed by typing about:config including the colon (two dots) into the location bar where you normally type web addresses. Hit return/enter key, ignore any warning. Use the filter bar option to narrow down the search, click on preferences for options to change or reset a highlighted preference..