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

I was asked by Firefox to install a patch and found out from Norton that it was dangerous and to remove it.

  • 1 reply
  • 1 has this problem
  • 3 views
  • Last reply by James

more options

On July 22nd A Firefox alert said I need to download a patch. When I did, Norton said it was dangerous and to remove it. I did. I just want to let you know if you did not initiate the patch someone is hacking into Firefox and asking people to download a patch that is dangerous.

On July 22nd A Firefox alert said I need to download a patch. When I did, Norton said it was dangerous and to remove it. I did. I just want to let you know if you did not initiate the patch someone is hacking into Firefox and asking people to download a patch that is dangerous.

Chosen solution

It sounds like you are getting a random named website claiming to have a urgent Firefox update. This is not from Mozilla or the Firefox web browser. The fake firefox-patch.exe and firefox-patch.js files can install things like trojans, viruses, unwanted software or to download additional stuff onto Windows based on past reports if the user runs them.

The updates are done internally in Firefox (with a .mar type of file) whether on Windows, Mac OSX or Linux or by download from mozilla.org like say www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/

You could try using a adblocker extension like uBlock Origin to block theses fake ads if you keep getting them. https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/ublock-origin/

Unfortunately this has gone on for several weeks now with one or two new sites reported almost everyday. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/forums/contributors/712056/ and https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/forums/contributors/712075

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (1)

more options

Chosen Solution

It sounds like you are getting a random named website claiming to have a urgent Firefox update. This is not from Mozilla or the Firefox web browser. The fake firefox-patch.exe and firefox-patch.js files can install things like trojans, viruses, unwanted software or to download additional stuff onto Windows based on past reports if the user runs them.

The updates are done internally in Firefox (with a .mar type of file) whether on Windows, Mac OSX or Linux or by download from mozilla.org like say www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/

You could try using a adblocker extension like uBlock Origin to block theses fake ads if you keep getting them. https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/ublock-origin/

Unfortunately this has gone on for several weeks now with one or two new sites reported almost everyday. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/forums/contributors/712056/ and https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/forums/contributors/712075