Fake Firefox Web Browser Download and Update Websites June 2013

Beware of email messages, Facebook posts, Tweets, and online advertisements, which claim that you can download Firefox, download an updated version of Firefox, download a Firefox security patch, or download some form of Firefox add-on or extension. Hackers and scammers are using these methods of communication to trick persons into downloading malwares masquerading as Firefox downloads from fake websites.

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Fake Firefox Web Browser Download and Update Websites June 2013

Mozilla Firefox is one of the most popular web browsers and is used by millions of web surfers around the world. I think this is one of the reasons why these cybercriminals chose this web browser, because of the amount of persons that they can target.

If you asked to update your version of Firefox or download it, please use Firefox's website, which is the preferred website, located at http://www.mozilla.org/. Please use this website only or these other trusted ones:

I have gotten a few calls from persons who have seen the advertisement below and thought it was a legitimate Firefox download link and clicked on it to install the Firefox web browser.

Fake Firefox Web Browser Download and Update Websites

After installing the program, they got more that what they had asked for. They did not just get the Firefox web browser installed on their computers; they also got rogue toolbars, web browser hijackers, and other unwanted programs that constantly displayed annoying popup windows.

But, these annoying programs are the least of their worries. If they had downloaded a virus, Trojan or spyware, they would have been in serious trouble. This is because these programs are used to steal personal information, credit card information, or online account user names and passwords for your email accounts, online banking and others.

So again, do not click on any links in an email message, Facebook post, Tweet, or online advertisements to download the Firefox web browser, instead, go to http://www.mozilla.org/.

Check the comment section below for additional information, share what you know, or ask a question about this article by leaving a comment below. And, to quickly find answers to your questions, use our search Search engine.

Note: Some of the information in samples on this website may have been impersonated or spoofed.

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Comments, Questions, Answers, or Reviews

Comments (Total: 9)

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April 18, 2017 at 8:21 PM by
Fake Firefox Web Browser Download and Update Websites June 2013
an anonymous user from: Troy, Michigan, United States

I continue to get this fake FireFox update msg, but only when I'm in Yahoo mail. Not sure if it's tied to my account that my Android phone uses to access Yahoo. I see this has been going on for years. Wondered if it was spread by Google's lab - Sweet Labs or Candy Labs or something. Maybe Google wants to drive people off FireFox and to Chrome?

Delete

April 18, 2017 at 8:42 PM by
Fake Firefox Web Browser Download and Update Websites June 2013
info

The fake updates are being distributed via advertisements displayed by Yahoo. This type of malicious advertisement is called adware. It is where cybercriminals use legitimate advertisement companies to distribute their scams. But, once those malicious advertisements are detected, they are quickly deleted by the advertisement company.

Delete

December 15, 2016 at 10:46 AM by
Fake Firefox Web Browser Download and Update Websites June 2013
info

Is there a way to block fake Firefox "updates" other than just aborting the browser to get rid of the page and restarting the browser?

Delete

December 15, 2016 at 10:47 AM by
Fake Firefox Web Browser Download and Update Websites June 2013
info

You will have to stop visiting the website, or if it is a legitimate website, contact the owner and let them know that there is a fake Firefox update message on their website. Sometimes the fake updates are placed in advertisements that website owners place on their sites to generate revenue. If that is the case, the owners will have to contact their advertisement partners and have them remove the advertisements that are showing the fake Firefox updates. These type of malicious advertisements are called adware.

For now, just be careful of the websites that you visit.

Delete

December 10, 2016 at 7:01 PM by
Fake Firefox Web Browser Download and Update Websites June 2013
info

Received via email:

"Notice appeared over full screen Firefox logo. dialogue box said this was a "patch" and to download it. I did. Afterwards my wife made me aware of the possibility of this download being a scam.

What can I do to counter the possibility?"

Delete

December 10, 2016 at 7:06 PM by
Fake Firefox Web Browser Download and Update Websites June 2013
info

Remove all unknown apps or software from your mobile device or computer. And, scan your both mobile device or computer for malware using the antivirus software installed on it.

Delete

December 24, 2013 at 1:36 AM by
Fake Firefox Web Browser Download and Update Websites June 2013
an anonymous user from: Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany

Yes - it also happened to me :-(<br/>Now - after uninstalling all added programs; the first Startup of my PC was ok - after it fell into sleep; not able to wake up.<br/>Taking out batteries (Notebook) even does not help: the PC does not Display anything (no BIOS Messages) - Screen stays black.<br/>Only LEDs indicates some activity.<br/><br/>Dieter

Delete

August 3, 2013 at 10:56 PM by
Fake Firefox Web Browser Download and Update Websites June 2013
info

You should be ok while you have antivirus software installedd on your computer.

Delete

August 3, 2013 at 7:37 PM by
Fake Firefox Web Browser Download and Update Websites June 2013
an anonymous user from: St Johns, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

hello, I fell for this fake ez download link, and ended up with some random add ons like you described. I deleted them all, and did a full scan of my computer using windows defender, and nothing else showed up. should I be worried about a virus that may have came with this fraud download?

Delete

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Online Threat Alerts Security Tips

Pay the safest way

Credit cards are the safest way to pay for online purchases because you can dispute the charges if you never get the goods or services or if the offer was misrepresented. Federal law limits your liability to $50 if someone makes unauthorized charges to your account, and most credit card issuers will remove them completely if you report the problem promptly.

Guard your personal information

In any transaction you conduct, make sure to check with your state or local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if the seller, charity, company, or organization is credible. Be especially wary if the entity is unfamiliar to you. Always call the number found on a website’s contact information to make sure the number legitimately belongs to the entity you are dealing with.

Be careful of the information you share

Never give out your codes, passwords or personal information, unless you are sure of who you're dealing with

Know who you’re dealing with

Crooks pretending to be from companies you do business with may call or send an email, claiming they need to verify your personal information. Don’t provide your credit card or bank account number unless you are actually paying for something and know who you are sending payment to. Your social security number should not be necessary unless you are applying for credit. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be from a company with whom you have an account asks for information that the business already has.

Check your accounts

Regularly check your account transactions and report any suspicious or unauthorised transactions.

Don’t believe promises of easy money

If someone claims that you can earn money with little or no work, get a loan or credit card even if you have bad credit, or make money on an investment with little or no risk, it’s probably a scam. Oftentimes, offers that seem too good to be true, actually are too good to be true.

Do not open email from people you don’t know

If you are unsure whether an email you received is legitimate, try contacting the sender directly via other means. Do not click on any links in an email unless you are sure it is safe.

Think before you click

If an email or text message looks suspicious, don’t open any attachments or click on the links.

Verify urgent requests or unsolicited emails, messages or phone calls before you respond

If you receive a message or a phone call asking for immediate action and don't know the sender, it could be a phishing message.

Be careful with links and new website addresses

Malicious website addresses may appear almost identical to legitimate sites. Scammers often use a slight variation in spelling or logo to lure you. Malicious links can also come from friends whose email has unknowingly been compromised, so be careful.

Secure your personal information

Before providing any personal information, such as your date of birth, Social Security number, account numbers, and passwords, be sure the website is secure.

Stay informed on the latest cyber threats

Keep yourself up to date on current scams by visiting this website daily.

Use Strong Passwords

Strong passwords are critical to online security.

Keep your software up to date and maintain preventative software programs

Keep all of your software applications up to date on your computers and mobile devices. Install software that provides antivirus, firewall, and email filter services.

Update the operating systems on your electronic devices

Make sure your operating systems (OSs) and applications are up to date on all of your electronic devices. Older and unpatched versions of OSs and software are the target of many hacks. Read the CISA security tip on Understanding Patches and Software Updates for more information.

What if You Got Scammed?

Stop Contact With The Scammer

Hang up the phone. Do not reply to emails, messages, or letters that the scammer sends. Do not make any more payments to the scammer. Beware of additional scammers who may contact you claiming they can help you get your lost money back.

Secure Your Finances

  • Report potentially compromised bank account, credit or debit card information to your financial institution(s) immediately. They may be able to cancel or reverse fraudulent transactions.
  • Notify the three major credit bureaus. They can add a fraud alert to warn potential credit grantors that you may be a victim of identity theft. You may also want to consider placing a free security freeze on your credit report. Doing so prevents lenders and others from accessing your credit report entirely, which will prevent them from extending credit:

Check Your Computer

If your computer was accessed or otherwise affected by a scam, check to make sure that your anti-virus is up-to-date and running and that your system is free of malware and keylogging software. You may also need to seek the help of a computer repair company. Consider utilizing the Better Business Bureau’s website to find a reputable company.

Change Your Account Passwords

Update your bank, credit card, social media, and email account passwords to try to limit further unauthorized access. Make sure to choose strong passwords when changing account passwords.

Report The Scam

Reporting helps protect others. While agencies can’t always track down perpetrators of crimes against scammers, they can utilize the information gathered to record patterns of abuse which may lead to action being taken against a company or industry.

Report your issue to the following agencies based on the nature of the scam:

  • Local Law Enforcement: Consumers are encouraged to report scams to their local police department or sheriff’s office, especially if you lost money or property or had your identity compromised.
  • Federal Trade Commission: Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or use the Online Complaint Assistant to report various types of fraud, including counterfeit checks, lottery or sweepstakes scams, and more.
  • Identitytheft.gov: If someone is using your personal information, like your Social Security, credit card, or bank account number, to open new accounts, make purchases, or get a tax refund, report it at www.identitytheft.gov. This federal government site will also help you create your Identity Theft Report and a personal recovery plan based on your situation. Questions can be directed to 877-ID THEFT.

How To Recognize a Phishing Scam

Scammers use email or text messages to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could get access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful.

Scammers often update their tactics to keep up with the latest news or trends, but here are some common tactics used in phishing emails or text messages:

Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. You might get an unexpected email or text message that looks like it’s from a company you know or trust, like a bank or a credit card or utility company. Or maybe it’s from an online payment website or app. The message could be from a scammer, who might

  • say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts — they haven’t
  • claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information — there isn’t
  • say you need to confirm some personal or financial information — you don’t
  • include an invoice you don’t recognize — it’s fake
  • want you to click on a link to make a payment — but the link has malware
  • say you’re eligible to register for a government refund — it’s a scam
  • offer a coupon for free stuff — it’s not real

About Online Threat Alerts (OTA)

Online Threat Alerts or OTA is an anti-cybercrime community that started in 2012. OTA alerts the public to cyber crimes and other web threats.

By alerting the public, we have prevented a lot of online users from getting scammed or becoming victims of cybercrimes.

With the ever-increasing number of people going online, it important to have a community like OTA that continuously alerts or protects those same people from cyber-criminals, scammers and hackers, who are every day finding new ways of carrying out their malicious activities.

Online users can help by reporting suspicious or malicious messages or websites to OTA. And, if they want to determine if a message or website is a threat or scam, they can use OTA's search engine to search for the website or parts of the message for information.

Help maintain Online Threat Alerts (OTA).

Fake Firefox Web Browser Download and Update Websites June 2013