Excessive downloading

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Rangitoto
Posts: 8
Joined: July 22nd, 2006, 4:11 am

Excessive downloading

Post by Rangitoto »

While Thunderbird is loaded, there is downloading at the rate of roughly 20 Mb per minute even if I am not doing anything. This problem started about a week ago and is getting worse rapidly. Clicking on hyperlinks in emails has stopped working, presumably because of the downloading. The default browser is Firefox. I am using Linux Mint 18.3 and Thunderbird 52.8.0 (32-bit). Most of my Internet usage is mobile using a USB modem on a laptop so the excessive downloading is costly.
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DanRaisch
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Re: Excessive downloading

Post by DanRaisch »

What version of Thunderbird?
How is the account set up in Thunderbird, as POP or IMAP?
Rangitoto
Posts: 8
Joined: July 22nd, 2006, 4:11 am

Re: Excessive downloading

Post by Rangitoto »

The version of Thunderbird is 52.8.0 (32-bit). The account is set up as IMAP. The downloading occurs even when there are no incoming emails. I don't know what is being downloaded.
Rangitoto
Posts: 8
Joined: July 22nd, 2006, 4:11 am

Re: Excessive downloading

Post by Rangitoto »

I had another attempt at using the hyperlinks in emails which I have received. They now all take me to http ww8. http.com/, regardless of which hyperlink I click on.
Last edited by LIMPET235 on June 12th, 2018, 5:23 am, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Killed the live link/s.
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DanRaisch
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Re: Excessive downloading

Post by DanRaisch »

That sounds a lot like a virus issue, Linux or not.

Have you tried starting the program in Mozilla Safe Mode? http://kb.mozillazine.org/Safe_mode
Rangitoto
Posts: 8
Joined: July 22nd, 2006, 4:11 am

Re: Excessive downloading

Post by Rangitoto »

I found that disabling Lightning stopped the excessive downloading. What I found surprising is that Lightning still seemed to work even when it was supposedly disabled. I make extensive use of Lightning so its proper functioning is important to me.

I still have the problem that clicking on hyperlinks in emails takes me to http ww8. http.com. That is a major problem for me because it causes problems with email communication and it prevents me from using Linked In messaging. Using safe mode doesn't remove the problem.

I scanned all directories with Clam Antivirus and that didn't detect any problems.
Last edited by LIMPET235 on June 13th, 2018, 2:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Killed the live link/s.
wsmwk
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Re: Excessive downloading

Post by wsmwk »

gmail account?
What add-ons other than Lightning are installed?
What activity is shown in tools > activity manager when there is excessive downloading?
mgagnonlv
Posts: 848
Joined: February 12th, 2005, 8:33 pm

Re: Excessive downloading

Post by mgagnonlv »

I find it very puzzling that clicking on any hyperlinks in emails take you to ww8 . http . com
That definitely sounds either as a virus or as a problem with your profile or a corruption in the Thunderbird program.


DIAGNOSTIC 1

I would recommend you do the following test to help us see where is the problem.

– Click on any message to view its content. Preferably open a private email like one coming from a friend or colleague and not one that comes from a newsletter or some other commercial link that may use a more elaborate system for links.
Also make sure the status bar is displayed at the bottom of Thunderbird window.

– Hover over a link. Let's suppose the link is https://google.com. What is the text displayed at the bottom of that window?
It normally should be the same as what you saw in the text.
(Note. In HTML mail, links might be different).

– While still hovering that link, right-click and select "Copy link address". Paste it in your browser and see what happens.


Either one of these things will happen:

1. If the link pasted at the top of your browser is good (https://google.com) and the opened page is good, then the problem is with Thunderbird (program or profile), which don't behave properly.
2. If the link pasted at the top of your browser is wrong (ww8 . http . com), then the problem is with Thunderbird (program or profile), which don't behave properly.
3. If the links pasted at the top of your browser is good (https://google.com) but the opened page is wrong (ww8 . http . com), then the problem is with your Linux system which routes URL addresses improperly. The idea of a virus seems plausible.

If you end up in situations 1 or 2, then the problem is either with the Thunderbird program or with your profile. Here is a second series of diagnostics you can do.


DIAGNOSTIC 2

That's an unlikely one, but it's so easy to do that it's worth your time. (Note.: I have the Windows version in French. Linux settings may different).

– Open Options (Preferences) –> Advanced –> Network and Disk Space

– Check "Connection Settings" button. Make sure you use either "Use system proxy settings" or "no proxy". (Other settings might be warranted in special corporate environments, but may also create issues).
If you have different settings, you may check if Firefox uses exactly the same settings. If not, take a picture of your current setup (to go back if necessary), set "Use system proxy settings", then quit and restart Thunderbird.

– See if your problem is solved. If not, go to step 3.


DIAGNOSTIC 3

The question now is whether you have a problem with Thunderbird Programme itself or your profile?

– Start Thunderbird manually to create a new profile.
In Windows, you do that by clicking on Start button and entering "Thunderbird -P".

– When asked, create a "NEW" profile.

– Enter your account settings for at least one account. Set the account as an IMAP account.
(Basically, you need to download a few messages in TB).

– In one of the downloaded messages, click on a link and see what happens.
If the link loads properly (ex.: https://google.com), then the problem is/was with your profile.
You have a choice between either digging further into your profile (or prefs.js file) to solve the issue or adding all accounts to your new profile and forgoing the old one.

On the other hand, if the new profile is equally defective, you might try to reinstall Thunderbird and see what happens.


Good luck!
Michel Gagnon
Montréal (Québec, Canada)
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