Avatar for Username

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Lolu chungechunge lwabekwa kunqolobane. Uyacelwa ubuze umbuzo omusha uma udinga usizo.

Why does Firefox occasionally open itself or move my current page to a blank one?

  • 3 uphendule
  • 2 zinale nkinga
  • 3 views
  • Igcine ukuphendulwa ngu Boryon

Boryon
Boryon
more options

Hi,

I have an issue where Firefox is starting up without being asked to. This happens randomly when I do not have focus on a Firefox instance. If I do have focus on a Firefox instance, my current tab is changed to a blank page (my current homepage).

This has been known to happen several times within 10 seconds, or can go for several hours without a problem.

It does not appear to matter what programs I am running (although I am less sure about background programs).

I have run checks using the following virus scanners:

  • MalwareBytes Anti-Malware
  • Microsoft Security Essentials
  • Dr Web
  • Avast
  • TDSSKiller

Additional note: my homepage is "about:blank", not the show a blank page option. It did not seem to happen when I changed the homepage to the default, but that could have been due to the randomness of this problem happening, I cannot tell.

Hi, I have an issue where Firefox is starting up without being asked to. This happens randomly when I do not have focus on a Firefox instance. If I do have focus on a Firefox instance, my current tab is changed to a blank page (my current homepage). This has been known to happen several times within 10 seconds, or can go for several hours without a problem. It does not appear to matter what programs I am running (although I am less sure about background programs). I have run checks using the following virus scanners: * MalwareBytes Anti-Malware * Microsoft Security Essentials * Dr Web * Avast * TDSSKiller Additional note: my homepage is "about:blank", not the show a blank page option. It did not seem to happen when I changed the homepage to the default, but that could have been due to the randomness of this problem happening, I cannot tell.

Isisombululo esikhethiwe

Presumably you are not clicking on files that require a default browser. Some processes may require internet access, eg security updates, but they do not necessarily use Firefox.

Have you been using any remote assistance software recently that could still be active.

This sort of thing is often worrying and associated with malware.

Funda le mpendulo ngokuhambisana nalesi sihloko 👍 0

All Replies (3)

John99
John99
more options

Isisombululo Esikhethiwe

Presumably you are not clicking on files that require a default browser. Some processes may require internet access, eg security updates, but they do not necessarily use Firefox.

Have you been using any remote assistance software recently that could still be active.

This sort of thing is often worrying and associated with malware.

Boryon
Boryon Umnikazi wombuzo
more options

Hi,

I have never used remote assistance software on that PC.

This has been known to happen while playing games (in windowed mode) such as World of Warcraft. Having read the link you posted, I can confirm that I have never (knowingly) installed any hacks for any software.

I will try the suggestion of changing default browser. If it continues to happen with a different browser, I will contact some anti-virus specialists.

Thanks!

Boryon
Boryon Umnikazi wombuzo
more options

Marking this as solved as this was not a Firefox issue. The same happened with Chrome when I installed that as the default browser.

I am continuing to pursue the issue with the guys over at Bleeping Computer.