Avatar for Username

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

Add on manager doesn't pop up

  • 3 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 32 views
  • Last reply by FredMcD

aack52
aack52
more options

Hello, I made a big mistake today and accidentally downloaded a fake firefox update. When I clicked install, it never made it to the download page, and seemed to add itself as an add-on. I freaked out once I realized what I've done, and clicked on the add-on button on the manager tab. Every time the "about:addon" popped up in the search bar, it immediately re-routed to the Google homepage. I'm not able to view or manage my add-ons since I fudged up. I'm running anti-spyware on my computer to make sure nothing actually got downloaded, and it doesn't show anything. I'm not sure if this can happen, but I'm nervous adware has been directly added to the browser because of this add-on download. What do I do?

The screenshot is of the fake firefox update page.

Hello, I made a big mistake today and accidentally downloaded a fake firefox update. When I clicked install, it never made it to the download page, and seemed to add itself as an add-on. I freaked out once I realized what I've done, and clicked on the add-on button on the manager tab. Every time the "about:addon" popped up in the search bar, it immediately re-routed to the Google homepage. I'm not able to view or manage my add-ons since I fudged up. I'm running anti-spyware on my computer to make sure nothing actually got downloaded, and it doesn't show anything. I'm not sure if this can happen, but I'm nervous adware has been directly added to the browser because of this add-on download. What do I do? The screenshot is of the fake firefox update page.

Chosen solution

Ok I just solved my own question. If anyone else encounters this problem, run firefox with add-ons disabled in 'tools' on the menu bar up top. You will then be able to go to your add-ons page, and from there remove the add-on called 'updater'. It's a fake and once gone, it seems like everything went back to normal.

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (3)

aack52
aack52 Question owner
more options

Chosen Solution

Ok I just solved my own question. If anyone else encounters this problem, run firefox with add-ons disabled in 'tools' on the menu bar up top. You will then be able to go to your add-ons page, and from there remove the add-on called 'updater'. It's a fake and once gone, it seems like everything went back to normal.

FredMcD
FredMcD
more options

That was very good work. Well done.

. Whenever you get a message / popup that software / files need to be updated;

DO NOT USE ANY OF THE PROVIDED LINKS

While this may be a legitimate message, it could also be Malware or a Virus. Anytime you want or need to check for upgrades, go to the website of the True Owner of the program in question. For example, to check out Firefox, go to https://www.mozilla.org {web link}

You can report such a site at; Google Report Phishing Page {web link} which is the same when done while on site by going to Help > Report Web Forgery

Help us safeguard Mozilla’s trademarks by reporting misuse {web link}

For over a year, an epidemic of Fake Update Notices have been popping up all over the place. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/forum-response-i-found-fake-firefox-update

FredMcD
FredMcD
more options

Also, let's make sure your system is clean.

You may have ad/mal-ware. Further information can be found in this article; https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-firefox-issues-caused-malware?cache=no

Run most or all of the listed malware scanners. Each works differently. If one program misses something, another may pick it up.