Firefox is opening new tabs on corrupted sites on it's own

I am using Firefox on a Samsung NC10 running XP Professional.
About 4 weeks ago I was hit with a fake Malware virus, which I have successfully removed using Malwarebytes and Registry Mechanic.
Since then Firefox is periodically opening new tabs for no reason which invariably take me to unsafe corrupted websites.
Can you tell me how I can stop this happening

I have solved this problem on my computer using the Microsoft® Windows® Malicious Software Removal Tool from here:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=ad724ae0-e72d-4f54-9ab3-75b8eb148356
My computer was also unable to access the Microsoft update site, so I had to use another computer and a usb drive.
I ran a full scan which took several hours, but it found an infection that Malwarebytes and AVG didn't.
Following the scan I was able to update from Microsoft update and, so far, no more spurious pages starting on their own

Similar Messages

Firefox not open new tabs

My Firefox not open news tabs on popups, and not show bars.
and can't move tabs on popups to main windows.
sorry my bad english

That issue can be caused by an extension that isn't working properly.
Start Firefox in [[Safe Mode]] to check if one of the extensions or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem (switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox (Tools) > Add-ons > Appearance/Themes).
*Don't make any changes on the Safe mode start window.
*https://support.mozilla.com/kb/Safe+Mode
*https://support.mozilla.com/kb/Troubleshooting+extensions+and+themes

Is there any way to disable electric whining on the 2011 Macbooks Pro, when scrolling in Firefox and opening new tabs?

This happens only in Firefox w/o addons; under Mac OS X 10.6.7

To specify the issue: A high-frequency noise can be heard coming from the left upper side of the Macbook (from beneath the 1 key). It can only be heard when scrolling and opening new tabs in firefox and is not influenced by the volume level and muting.

Firefox initially opens new tabs as tabs, then switches to new windows

I am running FF 14.0.1 and the following problem has persisted through a number of versions.
Initially FF will open new tabs...Ctrl+t works, right-click open in new tab etc. all work fine. Sometimes tabs are now issue and I can have maybe 20 or more tabs open. Then other times we seem to get to some arbitrary limit, say 5 tabs, and from then on every new tab opens a new window. Any external link opens in a new window, a Ctrl+t opens as a new window, all new windows are single frame, e.g. you can't have a number of windows each of say 5 tabs, just the original window with (say) 5 and then a series of windows with only single pages in each and from which Ctrl+t only opens a new window.
A complete restart does sometimes cure things and I can go back to having different pages in different tabs, and then something...no obvious pattern...kick us into 'new window only' mode after which even if I reduce the number of tabs in the original multi-tabbed window, Ctrl+t only opens new windows.
It's really starting to get to me... I've trawled the support info and am wondering about a complete reset or even uninstall and re-install. places.sqlite is checked as being valid and I've reindexed it too, all to no effect.

Well I think the following shows the odd state FF has got itself into. So I...
# Located the profile folder
# Closed FF (14.0.1)
# Renamed (rather than deleted) the localstore.rdf file
# Restarted FF in safe mode
The main point then was that excepting the change in layout, that tabs didn't work at all; the option was greyed-out, the + tab did nothing and Ctrl+t did nothing.
The then stopped, deleted the new localstore.rdf and restored the old/orginal one and restarted. This restored my layout by still new tab is entirely gone...the option is greyed-out in the menus, the + tab dodn't work and Ctrl+t does nothing. Ctrl+n does give a new window. In addition:
# The forward and back buttons have disappeared
# The toolbars have disappeared despite showing as enabled in the View:Toolbars menu
Opening a new windows however give a correct layout, e.g. back and forward and toolbars appear and New tab is enabled, however, it either via menu of via Ctrl+t only opens new windows.
The start in Safe mode sadly didn't seem to help, but I will experiment further...
Images:
# Note the loss of back and forward buttons and no toolbar
# This is simply a Ctrl+n new window...back and forward arrows and toolbars restored
# This is in the 'parent' multi-tabbed window (with no back/forward etc.). Note how New tab is greyed out explaining why + tab and Ctrl+t simply doesn't work...doesn't open new window, simply does nothing at all

Why does Firefox repeatedly open new tabs when I open a .php file?

Hey guys!
I do web development and design. I've just set up my PC (Ubuntu 14.04 LTS) and installed my choice of software.
On the .php files I set Firefox as the default software to open with but now it opens about 50 odd tabs in the space of 3 seconds. How do I fix this?
Kind regards,
-Trey

You've hit a bug that happens when you set Firefox as the external "helper" application used to open a type of file (the "Warning!" paragraph [http://kb.mozillazine.org/File_types_and_download_actions#Setting_an_automatic_action here] links to the related bug reports, if you're interested).
See [[Firefox repeatedly opens empty tabs or windows after you click on a link]] for how to fix this.

How do I get Firefox to open new tabs with my homepage instead of the top sites?

When I open a new tab, I get the top sites page. I want this to open to my home page.
I already changed my home page in the tool and when I go to it now, it still says what I want my home page to be, but new tabs still open wrong

By default in Firefox a new tab opens a blank page. You have something installed which changed that action, and that "something" sounds like it may not be working correctly.
http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/troubleshooting+extensions+and+themes

Firefox opens new tabs to spam sites randomly?

I've looked into this, but it's not the redirect virus that sends to to a different spam site, and it doesn't happen when I refresh or open a new tab myself. Every 15 minutes to hour Firefox opens a new tab by itself sending me to a spam site(most common: Earn a living online ads and those sites that have a pop up asking if you really want to leave). I'm not sure what's causing this, and my AVG isn't detecting anything. Please help, thank you!
== This happened ==
Every time Firefox opened
== I don't remember if I downloaded something, but I only download from trusted sites. About a week ago is when this started happening.

Ok, I fixed this myself finally. it's a tdsskiller rootkit, so most likely it will keep you from going to sites to help you fix it. Get the rootkit killer from Kaspersky (link below), run it, problem all gone bye-bye!
http://support.kaspersky.com/viruses/solutions?qid=208280684

Firefox now opens new tabs in new Firefox sessions. This is new behaviour and is a nuisance. How do I stop it?

This may be a Windows problem or it may be a Firefox issue.
I think it started when I installed updated Firefox to version 35.
Firefox 35 is running in Windows 8.1 on a desktop.
When I click a link in my Firefox browser, I've set FF to open new windows in a new tab instead.
It doesn't.
It opens a new window altogether that sits at the far end of my Windows task bar. If I have several tabs running, the taskbar displays the main program icon, which is pinned to the taskbar, and way over to the right it displays an icon that shows another session of Firefox. If there are three new sessions running, that icon on the right shows layers.
To close Firefox, I have to select each session and close it individually.
In the past, the Windows taskbar icon showed just one Firefox icon, although it would show layers if there was more than one tab open. Now it's showing the two as described above.
This is a nuisance. Is it caused by Firefox 35, and if so, how do I stop it?

Thanks, Fred. The settings checked under "Tabs" are Open new windows in a new tab instead, and When I open...switch to it immediately.
Maybe I'm describing the problem incorrectly. Firefox is 'pinned' to my taskbar. When clicked, a second FF icon appears to the right and it is not pinned. It appears to be an entirely new session. New tabs open in it.
My home page is a web page with links with the target=_blank attribute. When I click one a new session starts with two tabs in it, my home page and the page for the url I linked to. The attached image shows four FF sessions running, three of them with two tabs, resulting from clicking 3 links on my home page. Instead of one "unlit" icon and one "lit" icon with seven tabs shared between four sessions, there should be one icon, lit, with one session with four tabs.
I think this started happening when FF upgraded to version 35, but it may have been when Windows 8.1 upgraded itself, if that happened recently. I've only noticed this behaviour for a few days; until then FF stayed in one session with multiple tabs, and only the pinned program icon showing in the task bar.
This ONLY occurs with Firefox. My other browsers, IE 11, Opera 26 and Safari, just use the one pinned icon.

How to stop firefox from opening new tab when opening a pdf that is previously saved on my desktop?

PC Windows 7 Pro 32 bit
I have previously saved PDF files on my desktop. When I open the PDF, firefox sees fit to open a new tab even though I do not have the browser open. This is annoying because after I close the PDF I then have to close the New Tab browser window as well. This costs me a lot of productivity time as I open a lot of PDF's for work. The PDF file use to show the Adobe logo on the file on desktop. Once I installed firefox it now shows the firefox logo?
I have already set PDF's to open with Adobe as default through Menu-Options-Applications

Hello,
In order to change the default reader for PDF files (to not open PDF files with Firefox's internal PDF reader), follow these steps:
#Go to ''Tools'' > ''Options'' (or ''Firefox'' > ''Options'').
#In the Options window, select the ''Applications'' tab.
#In the ''Search'' field, type ''PDF''. You should find ''Portable Document Format (PDF)''.
#On the right handside you should find an ''Action'' column. Use that to select your favorite PDF reader. In order to view PDF files in Firefox, choose ''Preview in Firefox''.
Did this fix your problems? Please report back to us!
Thank you.

Recently firefox started opening new tabs when I click on search results how do I get this to stop

When I use Google and I click on a search result it opens a new tab where it used to just take me to a new page in the tab I was using I was looking in the tabs tab in options and saw I could choose it to open in a new window but I don't see an option to open it in the current tab. This started happening out of nowhere.

Found a setting in Google that was telling it to open all result in a new Windows which I was guessing that Firefox was overriding and open it in a new tab like settings suggested unchecked the box in Google and now the behavior is back to normal.

Firefox keeps opening "new tabs" in a whole new firefox session.

OK so this is probably an easy fix but I just had to wipe my comp and I am in the process of getting all my stuff back so my mind is muddled. That's my excuse anyways.
My issue is that when I click "open a new tab" Firefox will open a whole new browsing session instead of just a new tab next to the one I am currently on. I have already tried fixing it by going to options and mucking about the tabs options but nothing seems to be helping it.
Thanks in advance for any help and sorry if this is a repeat question but I couldn't find it on here.
~J~

Do a malware check with some malware scanning programs on the Windows computer. 
Please scan with all programs because each program detects different malware.
Make sure that you update each program to get the latest version of their databases before doing a scan.
*Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware: http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
*SuperAntispyware: http://www.superantispyware.com/
*Microsoft Safety Scanner: http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx
*Windows Defender: Home Page: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx
*Spybot Search & Destroy: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
*AdwCleaner: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/ http://www.softpedia.com/get/Antivirus/Removal-Tools/AdwCleaner.shtml
*Kasperky Free Security Scan: http://www.kaspersky.com/security-scan
You can also do a check for a rootkit infection with TDSSKiller.
*Anti-rootkit utility TDSSKiller: http://support.kaspersky.com/5350?el=88446
See also:
*"Spyware on Windows": http://kb.mozillazine.org/Popups_not_blocked
If using various malware scanners does not fix it or if you are blocked from installing those scanners then ask advice at a forum that specializes in malware removal.
*http://forums.majorgeeks.com/index.php - MajorGeeks Support Forums
*http://www.security-forums.com/index.php - WindowSecurity.com Security Forums
*http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums - Bleeping Computer Forums

Tried everything, cannot get firefox to open new tab rather than new window. set options, cleared cache, rebooted. win 7 firefox v26

Win 7 64bit desktop.
Set tools --> options --> tabs OPEN new windows in new TAB instead checked.
apply/save .. tried from there, tried exiting firefox. tried clearing cache.
what else???

Hello leelassow, '''Try Firefox Safe Mode''' to see if the problem goes away. Safe Mode is a troubleshooting mode, which disables most add-ons.
''(If you're not using it, switch to the Default theme.)''
* On Windows you can open Firefox 4.0+ in Safe Mode by holding the '''Shift''' key when you open the Firefox desktop or Start menu shortcut.
* Or open the Help menu and click on the '''Restart with Add-ons Disabled...''' menu item while Firefox is running.
[[Image:FirefoxSafeMode|width=520]]
''Once you get the pop-up, just select "'Start in Safe Mode"''
[[Image:Safe Mode Fx 15 - Win]]
'''''If the issue is not present in Firefox Safe Mode''''', your problem is probably caused by an extension, and you need to figure out which one. Please follow the [[Troubleshooting extensions and themes]] article for that.
''To exit the 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 other users who have the same problem.''
Thank you.

How can I get firefox to open new tabs? It won't open new tabs if I click the plus button or press Control + T. I installed some add on that didn't help either.

Tabs cannot be created
Control + T doesn't work
Installing an add-on to make tabs work didn't help

Disable or un-install the Ask Toolbar. The Ask Toolbar seems to be incompatible with Firefox 3.6.13. Ask needs to fix the problem.
*http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Uninstalling%20add-ons
*http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Cannot%20uninstall%20an%20add-on
 
'''Other issues that need your attention'''
The information submitted with your question indicates that you have out of date plugins with known security and stability issues that should be updated. To see the plugins submitted with your question, click "More system details..." to the right of your original question post. You can also see your plugins from the Firefox menu, Tools > Add-ons > Plugins.
*Adobe PDF Plug-In For Firefox and Netscape 8.2.4
**Very old version. You '''''MAY''''' need to un-install in Windows Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs before installing the new version.
**New Adobe Reader X (version 10) with Protected Mode was released 2010-11-19
**See: http://www.securityweek.com/adobe-releases-acrobat-reader-x-protected-mode
**'''''Security update for versions 9 and 10 released 2011-02-08'''''
*Shockwave Flash 10.0 r22
**Very old version
**'''''Security update released 2011-02-08'''''
*Next Generation Java Plug-in 1.6.0_20 for Mozilla browsers
**3 updates behind. Known security issues in your version
#'''Check your plugin versions''': http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/plugincheck/
#*'''Note: plugin check page does not have information on all plugin versions'''
#'''Update Adobe Reader (PDF plugin):'''
#*From within your existing Adobe Reader ('''if you have it already installed'''):
#**Open the Adobe Reader program from your Programs list
#**Click Help > Check for Updates
#**Follow the prompts for updating
#**If this method works for you, skip the "Download complete installer" section below and proceed to "After the installation" below
#*Download complete installer ('''if you do NOT have Adobe Reader installed'''):
#**Use the links below to avoid getting the troublesome "getplus" Adobe Download Manager and other "extras" you may not want
#**Use Firefox to download and SAVE the installer to your hard drive from the appropriate link below
#**Click "Save to File"; save to your Desktop (so you can find it)
#**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"
#**'''Download link''': ftp://ftp.adobe.com/pub/adobe/reader/
#***Choose your OS
#***Choose the latest #.x version (example 9.x, for version 9)
#***Choose the highest number version listed
#****NOTE: 10.x is the new Adobe Reader X (Windows and Mac only as of this posting)
#***Choose your language
#***Download the file, SAVE it to your hard drive, when complete, close Firefox, click on the installer you just downloaded and let it install.
#***Windows: choose the .exe file; Mac: choose the .dmg file
#*Using either of the links below will force you to install the "getPlus" Adobe Download Manager. Also be sure to uncheck the McAfee Scanner if you do not want the link forcibly installed on your desktop
#**''Also see Download link''': http://get.adobe.com/reader/otherversions/
#**Also see: https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Using+the+Adobe+Reader+plugin+with+Firefox (do not use the link on this page for downloading; you may get the troublesome "getplus" Adobe Download Manager (Adobe DLM) and other "extras")
#*After the installation, start Firefox and check your version again.
#'''Update the [[Managing the Flash plugin|Flash]] plugin''' to the latest version.
#*Download and SAVE to your Desktop so you can find the installer later
#*If you do not have the current version, click on the "Player Download Center" link on the "'''Download and information'''" or "'''Download Manual installers'''" below
#*After download is complete, exit Firefox
#*Click on the installer you just downloaded and install
#**Windows 7 and Vista: may need to right-click the installer and choose "Run as Administrator"
#*Start Firefox and check your version again or test the installation by going back to the download link below
#*'''Download and information''': http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/
#**Use Firefox to go to the above site to update the Firefox plugin (will also install plugin for most other browsers; except IE)
#**Use IE to go to the above site to update the IE ActiveX
#*'''Download Manual installers'''.
#**http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/191/tn_19166.html#main_ManualInstaller
#**Note separate links for:
#***Plugin for Firefox and most other browsers
#***ActiveX for IE
#'''Update the [[Java]] plugin''' to the latest version.
#*Download site: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html (Java Platform: Download JRE)
#**'''''NOTE: Be sure to un-check the Yahoo Toolbar option during install if you do not want that item.'''''
#*Also see "Manual Update" in this article to update from the Java Control Panel in Windows Control Panel: http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Using+the+Java+plugin+with+Firefox#Updates
#* Removing old versions (if needed): http://www.java.com/en/download/faq/remove_olderversions.xml
#* Remove multiple Java Console extensions (if needed): http://kb.mozillazine.org
#*Java Test: http://www.java.com/en/download/help/testvm.xml

Firefox keeps opening new tabs on its own...I've run virus scans and re-downloaded..HELP!

Ok, random tabs open in Firefox often enough to really get annoying. I don't want to switch back to IE (ew), but I will if I can't fix this. Normally, it's a Google ad that opens, but today, a site for adult products opened. I have a 13 yr. old daughter who does NOT need to see this.
Here's what I've done to try to correct this problem so far...
-I've un-installed and re-installed Firefox at leas 4 times
-I've run Malware Bytes Anti-Malware, Ad-Ware, AVG scans and Super Anti Sypware...multiple times
-I've deleted and replaced the dll file WS2_2.dll with a new one
-I've re-configured add-ons according to another support site.
Anyone got any better ideas? I really don't want to go back to IE! Please help!!

Hi Guys,
I'm not actually from Mozilla Firefox, but I've had this problem before, and I've solved it with the help from another website.
What you need to do is download a programme called "tdsskiller" from here:
http://www.geekpolice.net/t23369-computer-infected
scroll down the page and you should see a link. (I know the article itself seems irrelevant to your problem, but trust me, the programme they recommend works on this virus too.) It's only 1.3MB or so, so it doesn't take up huge amounts of space either! :)
I can safely say that it is COMPLETELY safe to download this from geekpolice.net, as this website is a free website which helps people with viruses on their computer. If you ever have another problem with anything to do with computers, go and have a look on geekpolice.net, they should have something that might help you.
Before anyone wonders why I am singing its praises so much, no I am not advertising them for any personal gain, but they have helped me get rid of some pretty nasty viruses on my computer before, so I am very grateful to them :)
SO, anyway, after you've downloaded the tdsskiller, you should run it, and it may find some infected files, in which case let it repair them. After rebooting your computer, the annoying opening tab thing should be gone!
I hope this works for anyone who's stuck :) If it doesn't, I'm really sorry, but it has definately worked for me!
Good luck!
Yashmeee :)

My firefox keeps opening new tabs and new windows, takes me to infected wedsites that my norton tells me. What can I do?

Tabs and new windows keep opening. My norton tells me that I am accessing known infected websites.How can I fix this.
Thank you

Sometimes a problem with Firefox may be a result of malware installed on your computer, that you may not be aware of.
You can try these free programs to scan for malware, which work with your existing antivirus software:
* [http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free/ MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware]
* [http://support.kaspersky.com/viruses/disinfection/5350 Anti-Rootkit Utility - TDSSKiller]
* [http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/default.aspx Microsoft Safety Scanner]
* [http://general-changelog-team.fr/en/downloads/viewdownload/20-outils-de-xplode/2-adwcleaner AdwCleaner] (for more info, see this [http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/ alternate AdwCleaner download page])
* [http://www.surfright.nl/en/hitmanpro/ Hitman Pro]
* [http://www.eset.com/us/online-scanner/ ESET Online Scanner]
Further information can be found in the [[Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware]] article.
Also, if this has been happening since you downloaded Firefox, and you did not download Firefox from the Mozilla website, please uninstall Firefox and download a new copy at:
* https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/
Or if you need a different localization:
* https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/all/
Did this fix your problems? Please report back to us!

Firefox is opening new tabs on corrupted sites on it's own

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for