Firefox downloaded 8 blank files yesterday, and I don't know what they are or where they came from. Help!
Apparently, yesterday at 9:03AM, Firefox download 8 blank HTM files. I have not clicked on them to see what they are. I do not know where they came from. They have random file names and when I right click to read the properties, it says zero bytes. I have already googled this question a billion different ways, but I have come up with nothing.
I have virus scanned it, but it found nothing.
I do not know where these came from. I was at work at 9:03AM yesterday, and I never download anything from random sites, and like I said, I wasn't even on my computer yesterday at that time to download anything. No one else could either, I live alone. I only just noticed this today when I checked my download folder and found 8 random files, and it says FireFox downloaded them yesterday.
I've included a picture of what it looks like. What on earth is this? And why is it microsoft edge logo? I don't even use that darn browser.
All Replies (6)
Usually if the Edge logo is used for .htm files, Edge is the default application for opening those files. This is set separately from the default application to open HTTP and HTTPS links, so your Windows settings appear to be a little mixed up, but that's really a side point.
If you open the Downloads list (Ctrl+J) and look at the history there, can you find those downloads?
If the small print mentions "moz-safe-about", that would be similar to this thread:
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer said
Usually if the Edge logo is used for .htm files, Edge is the default application for opening those files. This is set separately from the default application to open HTTP and HTTPS links, so your Windows settings appear to be a little mixed up, but that's really a side point. If you open the Downloads list (Ctrl+J) and look at the history there, can you find those downloads? If the small print mentions "moz-safe-about", that would be similar to this thread: https://support.mozilla.org/questions/1375411
Hello, thank you for your response. When I looked in my history yesterday, they were listed as "moz-safe-about". Weirdly, when I updated my browser, these files are NO LONGER in the history (but other download files are).
I'm so confused! What is going on, and is this a virus?
I don't think it's a virus, but pages do not normally use "about:" addresses, so a script in the page (or a script injected through an ad network) might have been trying to do something usual.
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer said
I don't think it's a virus, but pages do not normally use "about:" addresses, so a script in the page (or a script injected through an ad network) might have been trying to do something usual.
I do use adblockers, could this be an ad or something trying to do something but failing because of that? I just want to make sure my computer is safe. It downloaded yet another blank htm file. Again I did not download anything.
This issue still persists, any advice? I was on a forum and clicked a thread, suddenly another blank file downloaded.
Keep in mind, I use uBlock, HTTPS everywhere, and Decentraleyes. I simply clicked on a forum thread link and then all of a sudden, another automatic blank download started.
Hi Jake, Firefox 101 has an option that might help prevent saving these files, at the cost of having to cancel the downloads. Maybe that is preferable until someone figures out what is triggering the download. On the Settings page, below the Applications list, you can select to "Always ask" for mystery file types:
