Video ads showing up randomly on Firefox tabs
I'm getting these random video ads now and then on new Firefox tabs. Sometimes it's when I open a new tab. Sometimes, it's when I click on a link. The same thing is happening across different websites. I started getting suspicious when sites which did not have ads before started showing these ads.
It happens like this: the screen dims, there is a video highlighted in the centre, a button which says "Skip ad" and a countdown beneath it telling me how soon I can skip the ad. When I click on the ad, it does nothing. It says "jwplayer" at the bottom left of the video screen. The video does not play.
I haven't installed any new addons or extensions recently. Nor have I changed any settings recently. I'm on a linux system, so I'm guessing it cannot be a virus.
The ads are terribly annoying. Need help.
All Replies (5)
Please update to Firefox 29 Update Firefox to the latest release
Also, think about updating to a modern Ubuntu version
Then try installing www.adblockplus.org
Thanks Tyler.
I do have Adblockplus installed. And I'm on the latest possible Firefox available for my version of linux. I don't want a later Ubuntu because of Unity.
But these do not answer my problem... Sorry... There should be a reason the ads are showing up, which does not have to do with my Ubuntu or Firefox versions. It was working fine until like a month back.
Unfortunately Firefox 20 is no longer supported or secure. You can update Firefox without updating your Ubuntu (in fact you can update Ubuntu without Unity) Install Firefox on Linux
neogarfield (WHAT!? Awesome name!)
What ads are popping up? Can you give me a couple of links that are popping up?
It happens like this: the screen dims, there is a video highlighted in the centre, a button which says "Skip ad" and a countdown beneath it telling me how soon I can skip the ad. When I click on the ad, it does nothing. It says "jwplayer" at the bottom left of the video screen. The video does not play.
Can you try to start Firefox in Safe Mode to see if Firefox works properly with no error? You can start Firefox in Safe Mode below:
- Windows/Mac: Go to Help > Restart with add-ons disabled
- Linux: Run firefox -safe-mode in the Terminal/Konsole
If Firefox opens up fine with no problems, it's probably one of your extensions that's causing the issue. You can re-enable your add-ons one by one until you find the one that causes the issue upon being re-enabled.
Thank you, I'll try what you suggest. I'll get back here if the problem persists.