Malware
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- Posts: 6
- Joined: September 21st, 2013, 6:16 am
Malware
Hi, After many years of using the internet I recently acquired my first malware problem a few days ago after downloading from CNET and have spent the last few days trying to clean everything up which I believe I have done. However, I'm interested to know why Firefox keeps recommending for me an add-on "URL Fixer Plus RU - an Extended URL fixer for RU and UA".
Have I now become totally paranoid or too ignorant of the inside workings of everything that I'm missing something that's useful ?
Thanks for anyone's help that can be given.
Have I now become totally paranoid or too ignorant of the inside workings of everything that I'm missing something that's useful ?
Thanks for anyone's help that can be given.
- DanRaisch
- Moderator
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- Joined: September 23rd, 2004, 8:57 pm
- Location: Somewhere on the right coast
Re: Malware
How is Firefox "recommending" that extension to you? What is the exact text of the recommendation?
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- Posts: 6
- Joined: September 21st, 2013, 6:16 am
Re: Malware
When I press the Add-ons button in Firefox it takes me to a web page that has 6 Featured Add-ons then underneath that is has "Recommended for You" and there are 3 which are the one I listed above, Zulu spell checker and CG Persia Toolbar.
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- Posts: 6
- Joined: September 21st, 2013, 6:16 am
Re: Malware
Sorry if that's not giving you enough information, they are just boxes and I didn't want to press them to see what happens. (I was right, I've definitely turned into a wimp !!!)
- Grumpus
- Posts: 13232
- Joined: October 19th, 2007, 4:23 am
- Location: ... Da' Swamp
Re: Malware
When you open "Add-ons" you have several listed items.
If you do not want the suggested add-ons:
Open a tab and switch to it.
Open add-ons and open one of the other items which does not have much or only one thing on it; something other than "Get Addons"
Type "about:blank" into the navigation text area, hit enter.
Now hit Add-ons and see if the recommendations are still there.
If this does not stop it you need to perform a malware search and destroy.
Maybe this list will help
Install and run these programs, consecutively, not simultaneously.
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
http://www.superantispyware.com/
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
If these don't find it or can't clear it, post in one of these forums for specialized malware removal help:
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/index.php
http://bleepingcomputer.com/
http://www.spywareinfoforum.com/
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30
If you do not want the suggested add-ons:
Open a tab and switch to it.
Open add-ons and open one of the other items which does not have much or only one thing on it; something other than "Get Addons"
Type "about:blank" into the navigation text area, hit enter.
Now hit Add-ons and see if the recommendations are still there.
If this does not stop it you need to perform a malware search and destroy.
Maybe this list will help
Install and run these programs, consecutively, not simultaneously.
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
http://www.superantispyware.com/
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
If these don't find it or can't clear it, post in one of these forums for specialized malware removal help:
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/index.php
http://bleepingcomputer.com/
http://www.spywareinfoforum.com/
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30
Doesn't matter what you say, it's wrong for a toaster to walk around the house and talk to you
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- Posts: 6
- Joined: September 21st, 2013, 6:16 am
Re: Malware
Thanks for the suggestions Grumpus. I tried what you said and they are still there. Looking at your list of other websites I already have a paid for version of Malwarebytes and free Avast running all the time and it was one of it's Malwarebytes' regular scans that found the original malware. I had looked on spywarewarrier and bleepingcomputer a few days ago when I first had the problem, they recommended to others who were having problems to download and run AdwCleaner and Security Check - which I did but if the add-ons page is anything to go by it hasn't solved all my problems.
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- Posts: 102
- Joined: August 24th, 2013, 10:46 am
Re: Malware
By default firefox does have an add-ons page that includes recommendations at the bottom of the get-addons page. The addons page stays on the tab you were last viewing, so They are based on the other addons you have installed, as explained here https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/faq#pe ... mendations
Your recommendations are a bit weird- having a toolbar recommended might mean you have a toolbar already installed - toolbars are usually bad, so if you want post the list of extensions you have comments can be made about if any are not great. However, if you read the link above that should only be a sign of what other extensions you have.
Addons have user comments and reviews if you search for them on addons.mozilla.org, URL fixer plus RU and UA for example has 10 5 stars, and no zero or 1 stars. But, all the comments are not in english, so it is unlikely to be of any use to an english speaking user. If you have any extension installed with a similar name or function then that could be why it was recommended. Before installing any new extension, reading its privacy policy, reviews and ratings would be wise. And, too many extensions or ones that don't work well together can make problems.
Your recommendations are a bit weird- having a toolbar recommended might mean you have a toolbar already installed - toolbars are usually bad, so if you want post the list of extensions you have comments can be made about if any are not great. However, if you read the link above that should only be a sign of what other extensions you have.
Addons have user comments and reviews if you search for them on addons.mozilla.org, URL fixer plus RU and UA for example has 10 5 stars, and no zero or 1 stars. But, all the comments are not in english, so it is unlikely to be of any use to an english speaking user. If you have any extension installed with a similar name or function then that could be why it was recommended. Before installing any new extension, reading its privacy policy, reviews and ratings would be wise. And, too many extensions or ones that don't work well together can make problems.
- LIMPET235
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- Joined: October 19th, 2007, 1:53 am
- Location: The South Coast of N.S.W. Oz.
Re: Malware
AFAIK, they are just "suggestions."
I get these in two Firefox versions but the "featured ones" (above these), change...
I don't know why it's suggesting "that particular" one for you, but they are only links to the extension/s.
I get these in two Firefox versions but the "featured ones" (above these), change...
I don't know why it's suggesting "that particular" one for you, but they are only links to the extension/s.
[Ancient Amateur Astronomer.]
Win-10-H/64 bit/500G SSD/16 Gig Ram/450Watt PSU/350WattUPS/Firefox-115.0.2/T-bird-115.3.2./SnagIt-v10.0.1/MWP-7.12.125.
(Always choose the "Custom" Install.)
Win-10-H/64 bit/500G SSD/16 Gig Ram/450Watt PSU/350WattUPS/Firefox-115.0.2/T-bird-115.3.2./SnagIt-v10.0.1/MWP-7.12.125.
(Always choose the "Custom" Install.)
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- Posts: 6
- Joined: September 21st, 2013, 6:16 am
Re: Malware
Limpet235, that's what I'm getting only it's got the boxes I mentioned above.
The only extensions that I have that are enabled are
Adblock Plus 2.3.2
Avast online security
ColorfulTabs 19.7
DigitalPersona Extension, HP Instant Support Plugin and Steganos Password Manager are disabled.
If I've understood what you are saying the toolbar, the only ones I have showing are Menu Bar, Navigation Toolbar and Bookmarks Toolbar.
The only extensions that I have that are enabled are
Adblock Plus 2.3.2
Avast online security
ColorfulTabs 19.7
DigitalPersona Extension, HP Instant Support Plugin and Steganos Password Manager are disabled.
If I've understood what you are saying the toolbar, the only ones I have showing are Menu Bar, Navigation Toolbar and Bookmarks Toolbar.
- LIMPET235
- Moderator
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- Joined: October 19th, 2007, 1:53 am
- Location: The South Coast of N.S.W. Oz.
Re: Malware
"Boxes?"
What boxes?
& I never mentioned anything rel; to Toolbars. The ones you posted are the defaults.
A screen shot may help.
> http://kb.mozillazine.org/Posting_a_scr ... _the_forum
What boxes?
& I never mentioned anything rel; to Toolbars. The ones you posted are the defaults.
A screen shot may help.
> http://kb.mozillazine.org/Posting_a_scr ... _the_forum
[Ancient Amateur Astronomer.]
Win-10-H/64 bit/500G SSD/16 Gig Ram/450Watt PSU/350WattUPS/Firefox-115.0.2/T-bird-115.3.2./SnagIt-v10.0.1/MWP-7.12.125.
(Always choose the "Custom" Install.)
Win-10-H/64 bit/500G SSD/16 Gig Ram/450Watt PSU/350WattUPS/Firefox-115.0.2/T-bird-115.3.2./SnagIt-v10.0.1/MWP-7.12.125.
(Always choose the "Custom" Install.)
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- Posts: 6
- Joined: September 21st, 2013, 6:16 am
Re: Malware
Sorry Limpet235 - didn't mean to insult but am not up the computing lingo and anything with 4 sides I still think of as a box, should I have said "links"
By the way it was verco who mentioned about toolbars, that was why I listed them.
Not wishing to waste anybody's time, I guess that as no-one has said "yup, definitely at least 500 virus on your machine - only thing to do is stamp on it very heavily and bury it in the garden to keep everyone else safe" I can carry on and just ignore the "Recommendations" that Firefox is offering for me?
By the way it was verco who mentioned about toolbars, that was why I listed them.
Not wishing to waste anybody's time, I guess that as no-one has said "yup, definitely at least 500 virus on your machine - only thing to do is stamp on it very heavily and bury it in the garden to keep everyone else safe" I can carry on and just ignore the "Recommendations" that Firefox is offering for me?
- LIMPET235
- Moderator
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- Joined: October 19th, 2007, 1:53 am
- Location: The South Coast of N.S.W. Oz.
Re: Malware
No probs.
If you don't "need" any extensions, then just don't install any.
& I should think that your paid for version of MWB & the free Avast would be enough to keep you "relatively" virus/bug free.
Just be careful with CNet D/L's plus a few other sites are including "stuff" that you do not need.
Read those pop up/installer screens, coz there are quite a few so-called reputable sites/apps, that are including garbage toolbars etc etc..
If you don't "need" any extensions, then just don't install any.
& I should think that your paid for version of MWB & the free Avast would be enough to keep you "relatively" virus/bug free.
Just be careful with CNet D/L's plus a few other sites are including "stuff" that you do not need.
Read those pop up/installer screens, coz there are quite a few so-called reputable sites/apps, that are including garbage toolbars etc etc..
[Ancient Amateur Astronomer.]
Win-10-H/64 bit/500G SSD/16 Gig Ram/450Watt PSU/350WattUPS/Firefox-115.0.2/T-bird-115.3.2./SnagIt-v10.0.1/MWP-7.12.125.
(Always choose the "Custom" Install.)
Win-10-H/64 bit/500G SSD/16 Gig Ram/450Watt PSU/350WattUPS/Firefox-115.0.2/T-bird-115.3.2./SnagIt-v10.0.1/MWP-7.12.125.
(Always choose the "Custom" Install.)
- James
- Moderator
- Posts: 27999
- Joined: June 18th, 2003, 3:07 pm
- Location: Made in Canada
Re: Malware
You can hide the Get Add-ons panel if you wish.
Type about:config in location (address) bar
Filter for extensions.getAddons.showPane
Double-left-click or right-click and Toggle this Preference to false
May need to restart Firefox to see the change.
You can also select another section like Extensions, Appearance (Themes), Plugins and such on left and it should open to the last panel that was opened the next time you view the Add-ons Manager.
Type about:config in location (address) bar
Filter for extensions.getAddons.showPane
Double-left-click or right-click and Toggle this Preference to false
May need to restart Firefox to see the change.
You can also select another section like Extensions, Appearance (Themes), Plugins and such on left and it should open to the last panel that was opened the next time you view the Add-ons Manager.
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- Posts: 30
- Joined: April 17th, 2013, 8:59 am
Re: Malware
James wrote:You can hide the Get Add-ons panel if you wish.
Type about:config in location (address) bar
Filter for extensions.getAddons.showPane
Nice one. One thing though... this entry isn't included by default and has to be created.
James wrote:[...]
May need to restart Firefox to see the change.
No restart required. Cheers
- patrickjdempsey
- Posts: 23686
- Joined: October 23rd, 2008, 11:43 am
- Location: Asheville NC
- Contact:
Re: Malware
In the future don't download anything from CNET. The malware you got isn't from the program you downloaded, it's from CNET itself. They are into some nasty business now.
If you select one of the other sections in the Addons Manager, it should always open up to that section instead of the "Recommendations" section.
If you select one of the other sections in the Addons Manager, it should always open up to that section instead of the "Recommendations" section.
Tip of the day: If it has "toolbar" in the name, it's crap.
What my avatar is about: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/seamonkey/addon/sea-fox/
What my avatar is about: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/seamonkey/addon/sea-fox/