How to Open 160 Duplicate Tabs in Firefox
Hi there,
Every so often while working on the computer, I will daydream for a few moments. With few exceptions, when I wake up from my slumber, Firefox is loading many duplicates of the same page. Sometimes it's just a new tab, but most of the time it's some page from the Firefox Website.
The last time this happened, a few days ago, it loaded 168 copies of some Firefox page. Mind you, this ONLY happens when I'm dozing, and I've never been able to duplicate it when awake.
It's almost as though the computer can sense my dozing, and takes the opportunity to go rogue. Spooky!
Thank you in advance for your time and consideration,
Alan L. Janover
Wszystkie odpowiedzi (3)
Firstly, it's probably a fake Firefox page designed to trick you into thinking that it's legitimate. Usually, it's one that prompts you to update, when in reality it's a malicious file that you download.
My guess is that it's something caused by an add-on installed on Firefox. Looking at your list of add-ons, my eyes are immediately drawn to Advertisements by FaxBetter.
My other guess would be that maybe your computer has malware on it that's causing the tabs to open. You can try these free programs to scan for malware, which work with your existing antivirus software:
- Microsoft Safety Scanner
- MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware
- Anti-Rootkit Utility - TDSSKiller (for more info, see this alternate TDSSKiller download page)
- AdwCleaner (for more info, see this alternate AdwCleaner download page)
- Hitman Pro
- ESET Online Scanner
Further information can be found in the Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware article.
Hope this helps.
One thing you can do is; When you feel the Sand Man coming, lock the computers keyboard.
Hi Wesley,
I should have mentioned that this in my original post. The computer I'm using right now, is a brand new installation of Windows 7.
I also should have mentioned the this is an issue that has haunted me for a number of years on a number of computers. I can't help but wonder if it's some kind of key-combination that's causing this.
In fact, I seem to vaguely recall some such combination - like ctrl-abc-123, that would produce 123 copies of whatever page you're on.
And, as far as locking the keyboard, Fred, I don't know I've fallen asleep until I wake up.
Just so you know, I did a few of the scans you recommended, Wesley - including the tearfully slow ESET scan, that didn't find anything of consequence.
I'm seriously thinking of installing some kind of keyboard/screen logging program. I only need it to save the last 15 minutes. Can someone recommend one that's NOT part of a malware program?
Thank you so much for your relies!
Alan