I just had an official looking popup on my screen that had the Firefox logo that was directing me to a "security" update: firefox 17102.avstats.com. Really??

. 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}

billr20003 said

This is the site that was requesting "Recommended Security Improvement" in the popup: http://firefox-17102.avstats.com/ No clue who they are or represent...

Its possible that you downloaded software from a WebStore that uses the Secure Download Manager.

Mozilla does not use this for any of their products including the desktop Firefox web browser from www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/

Depending on the SDM software it can install a number of things on Windows.

examples http://www.shouldiremoveit.com/Secure-Download-Manager-13263-program.aspx http://www.shouldiremoveit.com/Secure-Download-Manager-9432-program.aspx