Mozilla Firefox creates Internet Explorer files+adware???
I've been using Firefox for quite a while now, but cant quite figure out why/how this is:
When im cleaning my files, using CCleaner, i will sometimes have an extreme amount of IE files, like 300-500mb worth(note i use Ccleaner several times a day which is what makes the high amount strange to me) despite not using IE, and only Firefox, (which i also have to auto delete everything on closing) which is why i rarely have many junk files from mozilla since it neatly removes most
then lately i've been getting these, adware/malware alerts when scanning my system, that i somehow got some adware, PUP's attached to IE, again how, since i never use it and solely use FIrefox??
it actually caused me to looking into completely deleting IE, but yay, go MS for making that impossible
Is there something wrong since im using Firefox, but getting tons of IE generated junk/temp files?+ IE being the adware target/attachment? or is it just how firefox works after update #X??
Chosen solution
If you have malware it could affect more than one browser, and I suppose it may affect IE even if it is only rarely used. It is probably not worth trying to uninstall IE. It was at one time almost impossible to uninstall, and normally required for MS updates.
200 or 300MB is probably a reasonable amount for cache files, ifthat is what is being found and cleared.
It is probably unnecessary to try to clean up Firefox using CCleaner, and you could inadvertently lose information by trying that. Firefox will by default try to store some files as a cache. The intention of that is to speed up the use of Firefox. Settings can be tweaked or private browsing may be used.
- see Advanced panel - Accessibility, browsing, network, updates, and other advanced settings in Firefox
- Private Browsing - Use Firefox without saving history
The warnings may be scams from websites & may be related to some malware on your computer. It would be a good idea to scan with multiple and up-to-date tools to see if anything is found.
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
- AdwCleaner: (for adware)
- Kaspersky Free security scan
You need to use multiple and up-to-date tools as they will not all pick up the same things.
Microsoft Security Essentials is a good FREE 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.
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Chosen Solution
If you have malware it could affect more than one browser, and I suppose it may affect IE even if it is only rarely used. It is probably not worth trying to uninstall IE. It was at one time almost impossible to uninstall, and normally required for MS updates.
200 or 300MB is probably a reasonable amount for cache files, ifthat is what is being found and cleared.
It is probably unnecessary to try to clean up Firefox using CCleaner, and you could inadvertently lose information by trying that. Firefox will by default try to store some files as a cache. The intention of that is to speed up the use of Firefox. Settings can be tweaked or private browsing may be used.
- see Advanced panel - Accessibility, browsing, network, updates, and other advanced settings in Firefox
- Private Browsing - Use Firefox without saving history
The warnings may be scams from websites & may be related to some malware on your computer. It would be a good idea to scan with multiple and up-to-date tools to see if anything is found.
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
- AdwCleaner: (for adware)
- Kaspersky Free security scan
You need to use multiple and up-to-date tools as they will not all pick up the same things.
Microsoft Security Essentials is a good FREE 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.
CCleaner is worthless and can damage your OS or software, so I recommend you suspend use immediately. If you want to clean up temp files, use Windows built in tool, but again, there is no need to do it multiple times per day (that will actually slow down your computer's performance by delete cache files).
It sounds like you've got malware on your machine, so after following the steps above, make sure you update Windows (all updates and service packs), Plugins (http://www.mozilla.org/plugincheck/), other software, install a reputable anti-virus, etc.
Even if all you use is Firefox, malware can still attach itself to any browser on your computer.
Note that if you use MS plugins like the Windows Media Player or Silverlight that these plugins use the IE Temporary Internet files folder and the IE cookie storage.