Firefox 3.6.8 Opening unrequested new browser windows

Question

I have a new Gateway laptop with Intel Core i5 2.26 Ghz and4 gb ram. I downloaded Firefox immediately, my browser of choice. However, what I've discovered is that almost immediately Firefox would open an unrequested new browser window when I click a link. E.G. I was on Yahoo today and clicked a link to daniweb after doing a search. (I was testing the theory.) Almost immediately there was a very quick flash of my browser window, almost as if something was opened and immediately minimized. After that daniweb loaded. If I go to the start bar and hover over the Firefox (Using Win 7) icon, it shows only 1 open browser window. About 30 seconds later though, the new browser window pops up in front of the Daniweb window. This time, the new window contained the following URL... http://www.yellowpages.com/raleigh-nc/programming?From=MRCH2 As you can see, it basically did a yellowpages search for programming in my area, presumably because I am going to an IT site. And now, if I hover over the Firefox icon on the start bar it shows to open browser windows.
The window which pops up unrequested is frequently yellowpages although sometimes it's a news site with a search for whatever I had clicked on. Occasionally it has been a "you have won site". I have pop-up blocker turned on and have tested through various test sites that pop-up blocker is in fact working. In some ways, this is more insidious because it's not a pop-up like we think of a pop-up, rather it's an entire browser window.
I have googled and googled trying to find a solution and thus far no one else has posted anything similar to this problem.

Answer 1

'''hotwiredmom'''
'''You have plugins on your system that are/may be out of date and have known security issues.'''
'''Update Shockwave Flash (Adobe Flash)'''. A new version was released 2010-08-12, ver. 10.1.82.76.
#You can check your version: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/plugincheck/
#*'''Note: plugin check page does not have information on all plugin versions'''
#Use Firefox to Download and SAVE to your hard drive (link in article below)
#After download completes, close Firefox
#Click on the file you just downloaded and install
#*Note: Vista and Win7 users may need to right-click the installer downloaded and choose "Run as Administrator"
#*Note: Most browsers other than IE will also get updated with this one download
#*Note: To update IE, same procedure but use IE to go: http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/install_flash_player_ax.exe
#After installation, restart Firefox and check your version again.
*Download link and other information:
https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Managing+the+Flash+plugin#Updating_Flash
'''Update Adobe Reader (Adobe PDF Plug-In)'''
*Check your version: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/plugincheck/
**'''Note: plugin check does ont have information to check all versions of all plugins'''
*'''Another new version of Adobe Reader is schedule for release during the week beginning 2010-08-16 to correct security issues.'''
Updating Adobe Reader:
#From within your existing Adobe Reader:
#*Open the Adobe Reader program from your Programs list
#*Click Help > Check for Updates
#Download complete installer:
#*Use Firefox to download and SAVE the installer to your hard drive from the link in the article below
#*On the Adobe page, un-check any extra items (i.e. Free McAfee® Security Scan Plus) then click Download button
#*If you see message just under tabs, DO NOT click the Allow button, instead click below that where it says "click here to download".
#*Click "Save to File"; save to your desktop
#*After download completes, close Firefox
#*Click the installer you just downloaded and allow the install to continue
#**Note: Vista and Win7 users may need to right-click the installer and choose "Run as Administrator"
#*See: https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Using+the+Adobe+Reader+plugin+with+Firefox#Installing_and_updating_Adobe_Reader
#After the installation, start Firefox and check your version again.