Fake Firefox Update Popups: What to Do

TL;DR

Those urgent Firefox update popups are very likely fake. They’re a common scam trying to get you to install malware or give away personal information. Here’s how to check and remove them.

How to Tell if it’s a Fake Update

1. Pop-up Source: Genuine Firefox updates appear within the browser itself, not as separate pop-ups on your desktop or in other programs.
2. Urgency & Scare Tactics: Scams often use alarming language like ‘Critical Update!’, ‘Your system is compromised!’ or countdown timers to pressure you. Firefox updates are rarely this dramatic.
3. Website Address: Hover your mouse over any links in the pop-up (without clicking!). Does the address look official? Mozilla’s official website is where legitimate updates come from.
4. Unexpected Timing: Did you just start seeing these after installing something else, or visiting a dodgy website? That’s a red flag.

Step-by-Step Removal Guide

These instructions cover the most common scenarios. If you’re unsure about any step, stop and ask for help from someone experienced.

1. Close the Pop-up

• Don’t click anything! Use Task Manager to force close it.
• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
• Look for a process with a suspicious name (something related to ‘update’, or an unfamiliar program).
• Select the process and click ‘End Task’.

2. Scan with Windows Security

1. Type ‘Windows Security’ in the search bar and open it.
2. Click on ‘Virus & threat protection’.
3. Under ‘Current threats’, click ‘Scan options’.
4. Select ‘Full scan’ and click ‘Scan now’. This will take a while, but is thorough.

3. Scan with Malwarebytes (Recommended)

Malwarebytes is excellent at finding things Windows Security might miss.

1. Download Malwarebytes from the official website.
2. Install it and run a scan. Make sure to update the database before scanning.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to remove any detected threats.

4. Check Your Browser Extensions

Malicious extensions can cause these popups.

1. In Firefox, type about:addons in the address bar and press Enter.
2. Go to ‘Extensions’.
3. Carefully review each extension. Remove anything you don’t recognise or trust.

5. Reset Firefox (If Necessary)

This is a more drastic step, but can fix stubborn problems.

1. In Firefox, type about:support in the address bar and press Enter.
2. Click ‘Refresh Firefox…’.
3. Confirm that you want to reset Firefox. This will remove extensions, themes, and some settings (bookmarks and history are usually saved).

6. Check Scheduled Tasks

Some malware creates tasks to keep running the scam.

1. Type ‘Task Scheduler’ in the search bar and open it.
2. In the left pane, expand ‘Task Scheduler Library’.
3. Look for any suspicious-looking tasks (especially those created recently). If you find one, right-click and select ‘Delete’. Be careful not to delete legitimate system tasks! If unsure, leave it alone.

Preventing Future Problems

• Keep Firefox updated automatically: Go to ‘Settings’ > ‘General’ > ‘Firefox Updates’ and make sure ‘Automatically install updates’ is checked.
• Be careful what you download and install. Only get software from trusted sources.
• Use a good ad blocker and cyber security suite.