My Firefox site is frozen after receiving a message saying 'Firefox update error' with a virus warning. How can I 'unfreeze' the site?
When I open Firefox I get the message 'Firefox update error' and a virus warning with a number to call. I can't exit the tab with that message, and the whole Firefox site is frozen.
The message says something about Windows detecting a potential threat to my computer, with an error code 0x8024402. That code changed when I rebooted my computer but got the error message again. The number to call they give is 1-888-665-0936. I called, though I realized that this is a scam. As expected, someone probably in India answered and told me they can fix the problem remotely if I give them access to my computer. I hang up, of course, but still don't know how to fix this.
Chosen solution
This add-on can stop such pages; disallow Script Button {web link} The Disallow Script button looks like a letter "M" and the title is the Minus Script, drag and drop the button on a toolbar. If the button is not displayed then nothing operates, except rules for plugins.
Another way out of the trap is to (force it if needed) Close Firefox. Wait about 20 seconds for Firefox to finish closing. Right click on the Firefox icon and select Open New Window. Sometimes this works. If it opens, close it by Menu > File > Exit. This will flush out that web page from the Session Store.
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. Whenever you get a message / popup like that;
DO NOT USE ANY OF THE PROVIDED LINKS OR ANY PHONE NUMBERS ! !
Such messages are only Spam that could lead you to Fake Support. Not only can they damage or hack your system, they charge you to do so.
. 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. Any time 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}
You may have ad / mal-ware. Further information can be found in the Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware article.
Run most or all of the listed malware scanners. Each works differently. If one program misses something, another may pick it up.
Many thanks. I started downloading and running the malware scanners. Hopefully, that will fix it.
PROBLEM: "Firefox Update Error" from website (http://sec-check-12854.top) that is requesting user-input but actually hijacks Firefox.
A website has 'locked-up' Firefox 48.0.2 with a 'Text-Entry' pop-up form-box that cannot be terminated by the user. The text box labels are Username: & Password: with a message giving a phone number to call — it is a fraudulent hack-job trying to extort money or take over control of my infected PC.
=> I've uninstalled Mozilla Firefox, and then reinstalled with the latest version, however the history is retained and it's still Hijacked !!
=>> I can start Firefox in Privacy Search mode – but cannot find a way to reset the default settings.
=>>> How can Firefox be reset to the original settings, with the searching history & cookies and everything reset to default settings ??
Chosen Solution
This add-on can stop such pages; disallow Script Button {web link} The Disallow Script button looks like a letter "M" and the title is the Minus Script, drag and drop the button on a toolbar. If the button is not displayed then nothing operates, except rules for plugins.
Another way out of the trap is to (force it if needed) Close Firefox. Wait about 20 seconds for Firefox to finish closing. Right click on the Firefox icon and select Open New Window. Sometimes this works. If it opens, close it by Menu > File > Exit. This will flush out that web page from the Session Store.
I found a fix for the "Firefox Update Error" Hijack issue for Firefox. I was able to start Firefox in a separate mode other than the regular browsing mode, and then reset the settings to the originals as if the program started up for the first time.
FIX — Start Firefox in Privacy Search mode, then: (1) in the upper-right corner of the Firefox window – click the Firefox 'Open menu' button
(2) then Click on the “Help” button ( ? ) at the very bottom-middle of help window
(3) then from the Help menu, Choose "Troubleshooting Information" (in middle of menu)
(4) then Click the “Refresh Firefox” button in the upper-right corner of the “Troubleshooting Information” page
(5) then Click on the “Refresh Firefox” button in the pop-up confirmation window
(6) Firefox will close itself and will revert to its default settings; this may take some time like a few minutes so please be patient.
(7) When defaults are restored, a window will list the information that was imported —> Click on 'Finish'.
The old Firefox profile will be placed on your desktop in a folder named “Old Firefox Data“. You can restore some of the info that wasn't retained by copying files to the new profile from this folder. If this folder isn't needed any longer, it should be deleted it as it can contain sensitive information.
Many thanks to everybody for your help. Problem fixed!
Great that the Refresh fixed the problem
It is probably worth you scanning with all the tools mentioned in
I believe you started that but did you manage to complete the procedures ?