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

I'm redirected to a fake Mozilla site saying I need to update Firefox. Also weird ads are now on websites where they weren't before.

  • 5 replies
  • 3 have this problem
  • 4 views
  • Last reply by smo

more options

When I visit amazon.com a weird ad is on the bottom that doesn't belong. When I click in the search box it opens a new tab saying I need to update my firefox. Yet in the fine print it says that it's not affliated with Mozilla. Also ads are on sites that don't have ads built on their site.

When I visit amazon.com a weird ad is on the bottom that doesn't belong. When I click in the search box it opens a new tab saying I need to update my firefox. Yet in the fine print it says that it's not affliated with Mozilla. Also ads are on sites that don't have ads built on their site.

Chosen solution

Hello,

Try Firefox Safe Mode to see if the strange extra goes away. Safe Mode is a troubleshooting mode, which disables most add-ons.

(If you're not using it, switch to the Default theme.)

  • On Windows you can open Firefox 4.0+ in Safe Mode by holding the Shift key when you open the Firefox desktop or Start menu shortcut.
  • On Mac you can open Firefox 4.0+ in Safe Mode by holding the option key while starting Firefox.
  • On Linux you can open Firefox 4.0+ in Safe Mode by quitting Firefox and then going to your Terminal and running: firefox -safe-mode (you may need to specify the Firefox installation path e.g. /usr/lib/firefox)
  • Or open the Help menu and click on the Restart with Add-ons Disabled... menu item while Firefox is running.

FirefoxSafeMode

Once you get the pop-up, just select "'Start in Safe Mode" Safe Mode Fx 15 - Win

If the issue is not present in Firefox Safe Mode, your problem is probably caused by an extension, and you need to figure out which one. Please follow the Troubleshoot extensions, themes and hardware acceleration issues to solve common Firefox problems article for that.

To exit the Firefox Safe Mode, just close Firefox and wait a few seconds before opening Firefox for normal use again.

When you figure out what's causing your issues, please let us know. It might help other users who have the same problem.

Thank you.

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (5)

more options

Chosen Solution

Hello,

Try Firefox Safe Mode to see if the strange extra goes away. Safe Mode is a troubleshooting mode, which disables most add-ons.

(If you're not using it, switch to the Default theme.)

  • On Windows you can open Firefox 4.0+ in Safe Mode by holding the Shift key when you open the Firefox desktop or Start menu shortcut.
  • On Mac you can open Firefox 4.0+ in Safe Mode by holding the option key while starting Firefox.
  • On Linux you can open Firefox 4.0+ in Safe Mode by quitting Firefox and then going to your Terminal and running: firefox -safe-mode (you may need to specify the Firefox installation path e.g. /usr/lib/firefox)
  • Or open the Help menu and click on the Restart with Add-ons Disabled... menu item while Firefox is running.

FirefoxSafeMode

Once you get the pop-up, just select "'Start in Safe Mode" Safe Mode Fx 15 - Win

If the issue is not present in Firefox Safe Mode, your problem is probably caused by an extension, and you need to figure out which one. Please follow the Troubleshoot extensions, themes and hardware acceleration issues to solve common Firefox problems article for that.

To exit the Firefox Safe Mode, just close Firefox and wait a few seconds before opening Firefox for normal use again.

When you figure out what's causing your issues, please let us know. It might help other users who have the same problem.

Thank you.

more options

Sometimes a problem with Firefox may be a result of malware installed on your computer, that you may not be aware of.

You can try these free programs to scan for malware, which work with your existing antivirus software:

Microsoft Security Essentials is a good permanent antivirus for Windows 7/Vista/XP if you don't already have one.


Further information can be found in the Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware article.

Did this fix your problems? Please report back to us!

more options

I disabled all my extensions except for one I really need.... and it fixed the problem! It's going to be annoying to narrow it down which extension it is. Do think it has to do with malware and an extension?? should i also scan for malware??

more options

I found out which extension was causing the problem... thanks! I don't think I need to scan for malware then...

more options

It would be great if you could look up the add on (tools - add ons) and leave a message describing your experience at the add on site