Hubbard12 said

Please see: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/startme/

Hi  !

That add-on is not malware - Mozilla wouldn't be hosting it if it was.

This add-on will be migrating to Webextensions, which is very good news  !

Can you give us links to sites that say that this add-on is malware  ?

I was hoping that would be the answer. It's seems to be a good start page. I just did a google search and received this: https://www.google.com/search?client=opera&ei=jvH_WeXmFse2jwOF3JaQDA&q=is+start.me+addon+for+firefox+malware&oq=is+start.me+addon+for+firefox+malware&gs_l=psy-ab.3...37178591.37182095.0.37182522.8.6.0.0.0.0.90.480.6.6.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..3.0.0....0.IKWDQ0E8Ce0 Specifically were: http://www.cleaningpcmalware.com/easy-ways-to-remove-ads-by-start-me-from-chrome-firefox-ie-edge-safety-tips

http://computerfixguide.com/how-can-i-remove-start-me-hijacker-from-chromeedgeiefirefoxsafari/

http://removalhelp.net/threat/?name=Startme&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIn6ackJmp1wIVD4l-Ch0OIQs6EAMYASAAEgLabvD_BwE

I has done some similar searches on duckduckgo and received similar results. Some refer to Startme and others to Start.me but all sound like they are discussing the same app. Thanks for the respoonse! Dick

Wow  ! Thank you for those links - I just checked them all out and I can only come to the conclusion that they all refer to that add-on :

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/startme/

The home page that add-on uses is exactly the same as that page shown in those malware links ......

Good for you to be on the alert  !

Needless to say that I would advise you to remove it - unless somebody else sees this and thinks it's a perfectly legit extension .......

I tend to agree, although I hate to do it - it's a nice add on! I may wait a bit and see if there are any other responses. I've used MyYahoo in the past and am seeking something to replace it. This, I thought, looks like a great replacement and then some.....but, it may turn the "then some" might be more than I bargained for. Again, thinks!

I'm leaving it up to you to see if maybe somebody else thinks that you should keep that add-on.

Personally I commend you for being on the alert, and I quite understand that you're not ready to remove it just yet.

After all : first I tell you that the add-on is not malware, then I advise you to remove it - so, how trustworthy am I, eh  ?

I'll go and see if I can find an alternative for that add-on, though ......

Forgot to mention :

When Firefox 57 is released, you'll see a completely new New Tab page :

https://www.ghacks.net/2017/09/13/firefox-57-disable-highlights-on-the-new-tab-page/

I was not aware of the new New tab page! Looks good! (It would be nice if it were there in the beta version I am running.) Looks like it might be usable for my purposes. I am primarily interested in the various news feeds that can be added. Start.me lets you ad blocks and specify the content of each. If FF has that functionality in the new tab page, I'll be set and Start.me will be history.!

Hubbard12 said

I was not aware of the new New tab page! Looks good! (It would be nice if it were there in the beta version I am running.)

Yay  ! Totally overlooked the fact that you're on beta - you should be able to get that new tab page now  !

Type in the address bar about:config (press Enter) (promise to be careful, if asked)

Type in the search bar and look for the preference :

browser.newtabpage.activity-stream.enabled

and set its value to true

Then close and restart Firefox

Does it work  ?

Found some more info :

http://techdows.com/2017/07/firefox-56-mozilla-replaces-new-tab-page-with-activity-stream.html

Yes, got it to work. Had to disable Startme to do. I haven'thad a chance to see if it will handle the news feeds with headlines, et c. I was talking about, but I sure hope it will. Thanks for the info. I appreciate your help.

Hubbard12 said

Yes, got it to work. Had to disable Startme to do. I haven'thad a chance to see if it will handle the news feeds with headlines, et c. I was talking about, but I sure hope it will. Thanks for the info. I appreciate your help.

My pleasure - I hope you'll enjoy this new New Tab page  !

Just to be on the safe side : After you've removed that add-on (Start me) - would you run the malware scans that are mentioned in this article :

Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware

Better safe than sorry .......

Note that the start/me website was once suggested as a replacement for iGoogle when that website was no longer continued.

• http://www.computerworld.com/article/2485456/desktop-apps/there-s-no-place-like-home-page--8-igoogle-alternatives.html

Of course any (customizable) website that you would set as the home page or as the new tab page can monitor your activity and you can accept or distrust such a website. You should always be aware of privacy implications when you decide to use an external page that allows personal customization.