Firefox: Crashing & Redirecting
When a Web browser starts behaving erratically, without any known alteration to its configuration or code base, then it must have been subject to unknown, unauthorized changes. A Web browser program like Firefox is extensively tested before a new version is released to the general public. A newly released program often has bugs, which become apparent once they become used extensively, and bugs are rapidly fixed. Catastrophic behavior like crashing and unexpected redirection is most likely the result of malware interfering with the official version of the Firefox browser.
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Malware
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Malware is a general term for malicious programs that damage normal operations of computers and software. There are three reasons people develop and distribute such software. The first is to prove they are cleverer than other people. The second is because they bear a grudge, either against a targeted organization, or country, or against the whole world. This final reason is to make money.
Symptoms
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Crashing and redirecting are two symptoms of an infected Firefox browser. “Redirecting” browsers divert to a different Web page to the one the user requested. Other symptoms include pup-ups appearing, even though the operating system has a pop-up blocker in place and the browser opening tabs to show Web pages without any instruction from the user.
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Other Activities
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Malware not only creates visible disruption, but it also may engage in secret activities without the user being aware. This category of activity includes “Spyware,”which monitors activity on the computer and reports on the owners habits when surfing the Internet with Firefox. Malware is also capable of downloading other damaging programs onto a computer. Crashing is caused by malware occupying areas of memory needed for the computer's essential services. Some malware uses up so much processing power of the computer that it freezes all applications.
Location
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Malware usually hides in one of three places in a Firefox Web browser. The browser keeps a temporary directory of Internet files and this is one place where malware can hide. Website sometimes download small files onto computers to keep track of a visitor's choices on the site. These are called “cookies” and are another possible hiding place for malware. Many users who have experienced erratic behavior by their Firefox browser report that clearing out these two areas ends the problem. Some websites require more programming capabilities than the standard Firefox can offer, and so the user is encouraged to download extra pieces of program that will enhance the Firefox browser. These are called “add-ons. Firefox users have discovered that some malware hides itself by assuming the names of legitimate add-ons. Three add-ons regularly used as a disguise are XULRunner, “Google Toolbar for Firefox” and “Java Console 1.0.” Deleting these add-ons often solves the problem.
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References
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