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Why does Firefox occasionally open itself or move my current page to a blank one?

  • 3 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by Boryon

Boryon
Boryon
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Hi,

I have an issue where Firefox is starting up without being asked to. This happens randomly when I do not have focus on a Firefox instance. If I do have focus on a Firefox instance, my current tab is changed to a blank page (my current homepage).

This has been known to happen several times within 10 seconds, or can go for several hours without a problem.

It does not appear to matter what programs I am running (although I am less sure about background programs).

I have run checks using the following virus scanners:

  • MalwareBytes Anti-Malware
  • Microsoft Security Essentials
  • Dr Web
  • Avast
  • TDSSKiller

Additional note: my homepage is "about:blank", not the show a blank page option. It did not seem to happen when I changed the homepage to the default, but that could have been due to the randomness of this problem happening, I cannot tell.

Hi, I have an issue where Firefox is starting up without being asked to. This happens randomly when I do not have focus on a Firefox instance. If I do have focus on a Firefox instance, my current tab is changed to a blank page (my current homepage). This has been known to happen several times within 10 seconds, or can go for several hours without a problem. It does not appear to matter what programs I am running (although I am less sure about background programs). I have run checks using the following virus scanners: * MalwareBytes Anti-Malware * Microsoft Security Essentials * Dr Web * Avast * TDSSKiller Additional note: my homepage is "about:blank", not the show a blank page option. It did not seem to happen when I changed the homepage to the default, but that could have been due to the randomness of this problem happening, I cannot tell.

Chosen solution

Presumably you are not clicking on files that require a default browser. Some processes may require internet access, eg security updates, but they do not necessarily use Firefox.

Have you been using any remote assistance software recently that could still be active.

This sort of thing is often worrying and associated with malware.

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (3)

John99
John99
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Chosen Solution

Presumably you are not clicking on files that require a default browser. Some processes may require internet access, eg security updates, but they do not necessarily use Firefox.

Have you been using any remote assistance software recently that could still be active.

This sort of thing is often worrying and associated with malware.

Boryon
Boryon Question owner
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Hi,

I have never used remote assistance software on that PC.

This has been known to happen while playing games (in windowed mode) such as World of Warcraft. Having read the link you posted, I can confirm that I have never (knowingly) installed any hacks for any software.

I will try the suggestion of changing default browser. If it continues to happen with a different browser, I will contact some anti-virus specialists.

Thanks!

Boryon
Boryon Question owner
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Marking this as solved as this was not a Firefox issue. The same happened with Chrome when I installed that as the default browser.

I am continuing to pursue the issue with the guys over at Bleeping Computer.