I've started getting pop-under ads every time I launch Firefox, and the uninstall instructions don't make sense, how can I stop these?
In the past couple of weeks, every time I launch Firefox, a full-size pop-under ad is also launched, regardless of what site I'm browsing.
The original ad was for a You Tube survey, and contains a link to coupondropdown.com, where there's a menu option for uninstalling. The uninstall instructions don't make sense, they don't mention what ad-on is controlling the ads, and I can't work out what's responsible for the ads from my very basic range of ad-ons.
The reason I'm writing is that the ads have progressed from annoying but harmless, to dangerous. The ad today was designed as a warning pop-up, text reads, "Threat Detected: Immediate Action Required. Fatal Registry Error ... click "Repair All" to eliminate all possible threats and clean your PC". I have screenshots of all the above.
I'm worried that another user, my son or mother, might take this warning seriously and install malware by accident. What can I do to prevent these ads? I expect this type of malware advertising on dodgy websites, but I'm getting them when I try to access hotmail, the news, etc, so it's not the website that's causing them.
Chosen solution
Sometimes a problem with Firefox may be a result of malware installed on your computer, that you may not be aware of.
You can try these free programs to scan for malware, which work with your existing antivirus software:
- Microsoft Safety Scanner
- MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware
- TDSSKiller - AntiRootkit Utility
- Hitman Pro
- ESET Online Scanner
Microsoft Security Essentials is a good permanent antivirus for Windows 7/Vista/XP if you don't already have one.
Further information can be found in the Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware article.
Also see
- Cannot remove an add-on (extension or theme)
- Remove a toolbar that has taken over your Firefox search or home page
All Replies (5)
hello nailaaboukhater, please remove the GoPhotoIt 1.6, Online HD TV 1.2 and Photo Importer 1.1 extensions.
Chosen Solution
Sometimes a problem with Firefox may be a result of malware installed on your computer, that you may not be aware of.
You can try these free programs to scan for malware, which work with your existing antivirus software:
- Microsoft Safety Scanner
- MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware
- TDSSKiller - AntiRootkit Utility
- Hitman Pro
- ESET Online Scanner
Microsoft Security Essentials is a good permanent antivirus for Windows 7/Vista/XP if you don't already have one.
Further information can be found in the Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware article.
Also see
Thanks Philipp, I've removed these add-ons, and so far so good, no annoying ads apprearing. I really don't remember installing them, so am off now to scan for malware. Many thanks for your help, n
Thanks Waka_Flocka_Flame, Philipp pointed out add-ons that I definitely had not installed myself, so going to scan for malware now. Many thanks for the very detailed answer, n
Found the source using Microsoft Safety Scanner on a full scan. The culprit was a Trojan:Win32/Sirefef!cfg