Screenshot of the problem?

I don't understand what you want a screen shot OF. An ad playing? And, though I hate to admit it, I'm not even sure how to take a screenshot and post it.

Go to the Mozilla Add-ons Web Page {web Link} (There’s a lot of good stuff here) and search for a good ad blocker.

I can do that. But I'm still wondering why I don't need (didn't need) to install a separate ad/pop-up blocker on my desktop. I thought Firefox must block them automatically. After finding that ads aren't being blocked on the new laptop, I've been looking for a "hidden" add-on or extension on the desktop...especially because I'd prefer to install the same thing on the new laptop if that is the required solution. But I can't find anything on the desktop that seems to be blocking ads there.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-firefox-issues-caused-malware

New OEM systems can sometimes come with a LOT of junk and crap installed so that can be one of the culprits. Depending on the company the OEM systems are from there can be some articles or videos around on how to go about cleaning up your system of the unneeded extras you can find in search engine searches. This can potentially make the system run better with using less ram and cpu usage and can get rid of other issues like adware or malware affects in web browsers.

Or perhaps you have some malware on your system. Some download sites like download .com aka cnet among others have been known to bundle in extras with what was clean software.

Thank you for your reply. I'm still not sure what I should be looking for. Does Firefox usually block ads on its own, or not? Am I looking for malware that is causing ads to be blocked on my desktop, or looking for malware that is preventing ads from being blocked on my laptop. I'd prefer the ads to be blocked, and I thought Firefox on the desktop was performing as it should when it blocked them, and that the "problem" is on the laptop where they are NOT being blocked. Am I wrong about that?

Hello sshar,

No, Firefox does not block ads - Firefox has a content blocking feature, but blocking ads is not what it does.

You haven't installed an adblocking extension on your new device, therefore seeings ads is quite normal.

On your old device you did not see ads, while you didn't have an ablocking extension installed - malware won't (usually) block ads; in most cases malware will do the exact opposite.

Could it be that you had an adblocker installed, but forgot about
it  ? You say that you can't find any adblocker - probably a rhetorical question, but : did you look in the 3-bar menu (or Tools) => Add-ons => Extensions  ? If you don't see anything there, then the fact that you never saw any ads on that device, is a mistery to me .....

On your new device - would you consider installing one of these extensions :

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/adblock-plus/?src=search

AdBlock Plus is the one I use, but others choose this one :

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/ublock-origin/?src=search

Yes, one of the first things I did (after "researching" this online) was check for any extensions in my Firefox setup. The only extension on my desktop is Avast Online Security, but the extension is actually disabled. I do have Avast installed on both my desktop and laptop. I will have to check the laptop tomorrow to see if it has the same extension. I enabled the extension on my desktop (just now) and will see if it changes the way anything works in Avast. From the description of this extension, it doesn't sound like it blocks ads.

Hello again sshar,

I immediately went to find out if there is such a thing as an 'Avast adblocker', and this is what I found ......

Before I posted my previous post I had already seen the disabled Avast Online Security extension (in your system details) - it does some adblocking (depending on your settings) :

https://support.avast.com/en-ww/article/Use-Online-Security

Personal note :

I wouldn't reinstall Avast, but just use Windows built-in Defender, and maybe let malwarebytes run a scan once a month. But that is totally up to you of course; you should do whatever you feel comfortable with.

Also see :

http://tech.firstpost.com/news-analysis/ex-mozilla-firefox-developer-says-anti-virus-software-does-more-harm-than-good-359798.html

And : https://www.howtogeek.com/239950/dont-use-your-antivirus-browser-extensions-they-can-actually-make-you-less-safe/

sshar said

I purchased a new laptop running windows10, and had the tech install Firefox (free version) as my antivirus software.

'Forgot to mention earlier :

1. There is no such thing as a "free version", as Firefox is always free, and :
2. Firefox is not antivirus software (it's a browser), but using Firefox, together with Windows Defender : your pretty safe ....

Also see : https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-does-phishing-and-malware-protection-work

Thanks, McCoy. I read about Avast's browser but I'm not ready to switch browsers. I'm going to give up on this, enjoy the lack of ads on my desktop, and live with ads on my new laptop.

sshar said

Thanks, McCoy. I read about Avast's browser but I'm not ready to switch browsers. I'm going to give up on this, enjoy the lack of ads on my desktop, and live with ads on my new laptop.

I was talking about your Avast Online Security extension ......

'Never mentioned Avast browser, let alone switching browsers  !

No, you didn't mention Avast Browser, or suggest I switch browsers. But when I clicked on THIS (link) in an earlier answer from you, I just got a list of sites to visit. I visited the first one on the list, and eventually read down to this statement:

"So here’s the bottom line—we recommend you use an ad blocker (try the ad blocker in Avast Secure Browser), but conscientiously curate a smart whitelist that includes the sites you truly trust and value. "

I didn't even know Avast offered a browser until I read that. It really surprised me, but it isn't something I'd consider. Everyone I talk to about browsers always say to go with Firefox. I'm very glad I jumped from Chrome to Firefox when I bought a new PC six months ago.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avast_Secure_Browser

Avast Secure Browser (formerly SafeZone) is a web browser developed by Avast that focuses on Internet security and privacy. It is based on Chromium