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Has my Firefox been hacked. IP addressed changed only in Firefox

rlarrym3
rlarrym3
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My IP address has been changed in Firefox but not other browsers when checked via Google "what's my IP" 1st noticed when I launch Firefox, I get a proxy fail - it says try again and it works. Suddenly, Google thinks I am in the Netherlands, and then a few days later it changed to Norway. Checking my location via Google maps app, they detect me in my home country, as does Apple. Firefox thinks my IP address is 188.166.121.88 - which when searched certainly looks like spam hacker activity. My IP address is reported properly when I use Safari or Chrome to ask Google what my IP address is. Am I totally screwed? change all passwords, wipe disk, restore from Time Machine. Any advise greatly appreciated.

My IP address has been changed in Firefox but not other browsers when checked via Google "what's my IP" 1st noticed when I launch Firefox, I get a proxy fail - it says try again and it works. Suddenly, Google thinks I am in the Netherlands, and then a few days later it changed to Norway. Checking my location via Google maps app, they detect me in my home country, as does Apple. Firefox thinks my IP address is 188.166.121.88 - which when searched certainly looks like spam hacker activity. My IP address is reported properly when I use Safari or Chrome to ask Google what my IP address is. Am I totally screwed? change all passwords, wipe disk, restore from Time Machine. Any advise greatly appreciated.

All Replies (3)

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Your extensions list includes a VPN named Browsec: https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/browsec/

That would seem to be the most likely explanation. You could try disabling it and test again. Open the Add-ons page using either:

  • Cmd+Shift+a
  • "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons

In the left column, click Extensions. Then you should be able to find it on the right and Disable it. Or, if you don't intend to use it, Remove it.

Often a link will appear above at least one disabled extension to restart Firefox. You can complete your work on the tab and click one of the links as the last step.

Does that get you back to where you actually are?

rlarrym3
rlarrym3 Umnikazi wombuzo
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You shot a little over my head, but the key question is really not about getting Firefox functional again, it is whether or not I have I been hacked or is this just a Firefox bug? Is there a key-stroke monitor stealing data from me? This may involve the incredibly annoying "Nation" browser problem, as since yesterday, Chrome has made that the default browser and it is resistant to change. Calling Apple tonight. Erasing everything related to Firefox. Then erasing the HD and restoring to Time Machine from a couple of weeks ago.

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Were you able to go to the Add-ons page, click into the Extensions list, and disable or remove that VPN extension? I think I listed all the steps, but since I'm a Windows user, I might have missed something. Please let me know.

To back up your current Firefox bookmarks, you can make a copy of the backup folder as follows:

Open your current Firefox settings (AKA Firefox profile) folder using either

  • "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Troubleshooting Information
  • (menu bar) Help > Troubleshooting Information
  • type or paste about:support in the address bar and press Enter

In the first table on the page, click the "Open in Finder" button. This should launch a new window listing various files and folders. Look for the bookmarkbackups folder and copy its contents to a safe location such as an external hard drive or USB flash drive.

Is there anything else you wouldn't want rolled back several months?