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error 333 security warning call 877-247-9118. Is this legit?

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Hi, If anyone can help. Thanks. I just received an error 333 message, stating there might be security issue and to call 877-247-9118. This message was also vocal, and looked as if it came from Firefox. It said I should call the number and don't shut the computer down..

Thanks in advance for any help.

Kissy

Hi, If anyone can help. Thanks. I just received an error 333 message, stating there might be security issue and to call 877-247-9118. This message was also vocal, and looked as if it came from Firefox. It said I should call the number and don't shut the computer down.. Thanks in advance for any help. Kissy

All Replies (2)

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No that was not a message from Firefox. Probably a scam to entice you toward a fake support web site to take your hard earned money or to tell you to install unneeded programs.

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Is the problem on your Windows 7 system, but you posted from a Mac (so the add-on details with your post are not for the problem system)?

It could be malware, including a bad add-on. Here's my suggested procedure for tracking down and cleaning up bad add-ons. I know it seems long, but it's not that bad.

(1) Open the Windows Control Panel, Uninstall a Program. After the list loads, click the "Installed on" column heading to group the infections, I mean, additions, by date. This can help in smoking out undisclosed bundle items that snuck in with some software you agreed to install. Be suspicious of everything you do not recognize/remember, as malware often uses important or innocent sounding names to discourage you from removing it. Take out as much trash as possible here.

(2) Open Firefox's Add-ons page using either:

  • Ctrl+Shift+a
  • "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons
  • in the Windows "Run" dialog, type or paste
    firefox.exe "about:addons"

In the left column, click Plugins. Set nonessential and unrecognized plugins to "Never Activate".

In the left column, click Extensions. Then, if in doubt, disable (or Remove, if possible) unrecognized and unwanted extensions.

Often a link will appear above at least one disabled extension to restart Firefox. You can complete your work on the tab and click one of the links as the last step.

Any improvement?

(3) You can search for remaining issues with the scanning/cleaning tools listed in our support article: Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware. These on-demand scanners are free and take considerable time to run. If they finish quickly and especially if they require payment, you may have a serious infection. I suggest the specialized forums listed in the article in that case.

Success?