Try Firefox Safe Mode to see if the problem goes away. Firefox Safe Mode is a troubleshooting mode that temporarily turns off hardware acceleration, resets some settings, and disables add-ons (extensions and themes).

If Firefox is open, you can restart in Firefox Safe Mode from the Help menu:

• Click the menu button , click Help and select Restart with Add-ons Disabled.

If Firefox is not running, you can start Firefox in Safe Mode as follows:

• On Windows: Hold the Shift key when you open the Firefox desktop or Start menu shortcut.
• On Mac: Hold the option key while starting Firefox.
• On Linux: Quit Firefox, go to your Terminal and run firefox -safe-mode
  (you may need to specify the Firefox installation path e.g. /usr/lib/firefox)

When the Firefox Safe Mode window appears, select "Start in Safe Mode".

If the issue is not present in Firefox Safe Mode, your problem is probably caused by an extension, theme, or hardware acceleration. Please follow the steps in the Troubleshoot extensions, themes and hardware acceleration issues to solve common Firefox problems article to find the cause.

To exit 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 others with the same problem.

Wesley,

In response to the suggestion to start Firefox in the “Safe Mode”, the problem of clicking on a link, resulting in the dialogue box coming up… 1. I launched Firefox in the “Safe Mode” (cold) and stared the “Safe Mode” from the Help menu. Both resulted in the same problem dialogue box, although with even a more confusing result, it was hit and miss; a few links, very few, opened. 2. I am trying to wrap my head around then how to interpret your statement, "If the issue is not present in Firefox Safe Mode, your problem is probably caused by an extension, theme, or hardware acceleration. Please follow the steps in the Troubleshoot extensions, themes and hardware acceleration issues to solve common Firefox problems article to find the cause”. Because the problem is present, so where can I go…? 3. What is the alternative fix? Based on the above statement, my problem can NOT solved by clicking on the link suggested. 4. I clicked on the link, just because, and tried to Refresh Firefox. This did NOT solve the link to dialogue box, problem, either.

       5. I tried going through Mozilla's website:

• 1. Restart your computer • 2. Clear your cookies and cache • 3. Restart Firefox in Safe Mode • 4. Troubleshoot your plugins • 5. Reinstall Firefox • 6. Refresh Firefox • 7. Create a new Firefox profile • Other solutions o Check for conflicts with your Internet security software o Scan your system for viruses and spyware o Check your hard drive and RAM for errors

      I got through 1-4 and 6, but got stuck on #5.  I can't seem to get the Mozilla.com site to load at this time.

6. Thus, any suggestions? Thank You, Bob

It is possible that security software (anti-virus, firewall) is causing the problem. Try to disable security software temporarily to see if that makes a difference.

Boot the computer in Windows Safe Mode with network support (press F8 on the boot screen) to see if that has effect.

• http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/how-to-start-windows-in-safe-mode/
• http://www.7tutorials.com/4-ways-boot-safe-mode-windows-10

Turning off Avast Web Shield solved the problem. But, now I am uncovered, so I guess I need to call them. Thanks for your help. Bob

Firefox has some built-in protection, see:

• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/how-does-phishing-and-malware-protection-work