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Malware is software designed to invade a computer without your knowledge. We'll explain common symptoms, how to prevent it being installed and how to remove it.

[http://wikipedia.org/wiki/Malware Malware] is short for "Malicious Software". It is a term generally used for software installed on your computer that is designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner's informed consent. Sometimes a problem with Firefox may be a result of malware installed on your computer, which you may not be aware of. This article describes what common symptoms are and how to prevent malware from being installed and get rid of them. __TOC__ = How do I know that my Firefox problem is a result of malware? = Symptoms are various and depend on the malware, but if you have one or several of these behaviors, you may have malware installed on your computer. * '''Some ad popups display all the time''', even though you've blocked popups. For more information on blocking popups, see [[Pop-up blocker settings, exceptions and troubleshooting]]. * '''Your searches are redirected to another site''' in order to feed you content from that website and you are being disallowed from blocking them. For more information, see [[What to do when searches take you to the wrong search website]]. * '''Your home page has been hijacked'''. For more information on setting your home page, see [[How to set the home page]]. * '''Firefox never finishes loading or can't load certain websites'''. For more information, see [[Websites show a spinning wheel and never finish loading]] and [[Server Not Found - Troubleshoot connection problems#w_firefox-cannot-load-certain-websites|Firefox cannot load certain websites]]. *'''Firefox crashes or hangs a lot.''' For more information, see [[Firefox crashes - Troubleshoot, prevent and get help fixing crashes]] and [[Firefox hangs or is not responding - How to fix]]. *'''Firefox does not start'''. For more information, see [[Firefox won't start - find solutions]]. *'''Problems with connecting to Facebook'''. For more information on problems with Facebook, see [[Fix problems with Facebook games, chat and more]]. *'''Firefox keeps opening many tabs or windows'''. For more information, see [[Firefox repeatedly opens empty tabs or windows after you click on a link]]. *'''Unwanted toolbars have been installed'''. For more information on customizing Firefox, see [[Remove a toolbar that has taken over your Firefox search or home page]] and [[How to remove the Babylon toolbar, home page and search engine]]. {for fx90} *'''The malware may have loaded modules into Firefox.''' These modules are displayed on the Firefox about:third-party page. For more information, see [[Identify problems caused by third-party modules in Firefox for Windows]]. {/for} = How do I prevent malware from being installed? = There are simple rules to follow in order to prevent malware from being installed on your computer: * '''Keep your operating system and other software updated:''' Installation of malicious software usually takes advantage of known security vulnerabilities in other programs, which may have been patched in later versions. Make sure you are using the latest version of all software you use, either by enabling the software's automatic update feature, if available, or by checking for updates from the software provider{for win} and by using the Windows Update feature{/for}. * '''Don't install untrusted software:''' Some websites offer you software to accelerate your browser, to help you search the Web or to add toolbars that make things Firefox already does. Some unwanted programs also come bundled in software packages. Usually, these programs gather information on your browsing behavior that serve only the people who designed them and interfere with Firefox. Make sure you install add-ons from [https://addons.mozilla.org Mozilla's add-on website] and you uncheck unwanted programs in software wizards. Check to see if you have unwanted add-ons and [[Disable or remove add-ons|disable or remove them]]. * '''Don't click inside misleading pop-up windows:''' Many malicious websites try to install malware on your system by making images look like pop-up windows, or displaying an animation of the website scanning your computer. For more information on detecting a misleading pop-up, see [[Pop-up blocker settings, exceptions and troubleshooting]]. * '''Don't run a fake Firefox:''' Download Firefox from [http://www.mozilla.org/firefox mozilla.org/firefox].<!-- Note to localizers: add your local Mozilla website: mozilla.jp, or other depending on your location-->{note}'''Note:''' Please report misuse of the Firefox trademark in websites using the [http://www.mozilla.com/legal/fraud-report/index.html Mozilla's Violating Website Report page] and in emails by forwarding them to [mailto:abuse@mozilla.org Mozilla's abuse email].{/note} {for win} * '''Run anti-virus and anti-spyware real-time protection and scan your system periodically.''' Make sure your anti-virus and anti-spyware real-time protection is enabled. Scan your computer at least every month. {/for} {for mac} = Mac security and malware protection = These Apple Support documents may be of help: * [https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/protect-your-mac-from-malware-mh40596/mac Protect your Mac from malware] * [https://support.apple.com/HT201940 About the "Are you sure you want to open it?" alert (File Quarantine / Known Malware Detection) in OS X] * [https://support.apple.com/HT202491 Safely open apps on your Mac] * [https://support.apple.com/HT204899 About System Integrity Protection on your Mac] * [https://support.apple.com/HT201220 Report a security or privacy vulnerability] You can also install the following software to help clean your Mac of potential malware: * [https://www.malwarebytes.com/mac/ Malwarebytes for Mac] {/for} {for linux} = How do I get rid of malware? = The Wikipedia article [http://wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_malware Linux malware] has information and recommendations for Linux users. {/for} {for win} = How do I get rid of malware? = Microsoft has basic free anti-virus and anti-spyware security software {for win8, win10}[https://www.microsoft.com/windows/comprehensive-security built-in] on Windows 8 and Windows 10{/for}{for win7}for Windows 7 (see [https://support.microsoft.com/help/14210/security-essentials-download What is Microsoft Security Essentials?]){/for}. If your security software hasn't detected malware, scan your system with the free malware scanning programs listed below. You should scan with all programs because each program detects different malware and make sure that you update each program to get the latest version of their databases before doing a scan. {warning}'''Warning:''' Anti-virus and anti-spyware software may sometimes generate false positives. Consider quarantining suspicious files rather than deleting them.{/warning} == Does not require installation == * [https://www.f-secure.com/en/home/free-tools/online-scanner F-Secure Online Scanner] * [https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/wdsi/products/scanner Microsoft Safety Scanner] * [https://support.kaspersky.com/viruses/disinfection/5350 Kaspersky TDSSKiller] (see this [https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/tdsskiller/ alternate TDSSKiller download page] for more information) * [https://www.malwarebytes.com/adwcleaner/ Malwarebytes AdwCleaner] (see this [https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/ alternate AdwCleaner download page] for more information) == Requires installation == * [https://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free/ Malwarebytes Free] * [https://www.superantispyware.com/free-edition.html SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition] {note}'''Note:''' Certain malware components can only be removed in {for win7}[https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17419/windows-7-advanced-startup-options-safe-mode Windows Safe Mode]{/for}{for win8}[https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/2809468/how-to-easily-enter-safe-mode-in-windows-8-one-click-series Windows Safe Mode]{/for}{for win10}[http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/start-your-pc-in-safe-mode Windows Safe Mode]{/for}{for winxp}[https://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/boot_failsafe.mspx?mfr=true Windows Safe Mode]{/for}{for win11}[https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/start-your-pc-in-safe-mode-in-windows-92c27cff-db89-8644-1ce4-b3e5e56fe234#WindowsVersion=Windows_11 Windows Safe Mode]{/for}.{/note} {/for} = Need more help? = You can ask for help in a forum specializing in malware removal, such as those listed below: * [http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums Bleeping Computer Forums] * [https://forums.malwarebytes.com/ Malwarebytes Forums] * [http://www.spywareinfoforum.com/ SWI Forums]