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Troubleshoot Waterfox issues caused by malware

Malware is short for “Malicious Software”. It is a term generally used for software installed on your computer that is designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner’s informed consent. Sometimes a problem with Waterfox may be a result of malware installed on your computer, which you may not be aware of. This article describes what common symptoms are and how to prevent malware from being installed and get rid of them.

How do I know that my Waterfox problem is a result of malware?

Symptoms are various and depend on the malware, but if you have one or several of these behaviors, you may have malware installed on your computer.

How do I prevent malware from being installed?

There are simple rules to follow in order to prevent malware from being installed on your computer:

  • Keep your operating system and other software updated: Installation of malicious software usually takes advantage of known security vulnerabilities in other programs, which may have been patched in later versions. Make sure you are using the latest version of all software you use, either by enabling the software’s automatic update feature, if available, or by checking for updates from the software provider and by using the Windows Update feature.

  • Don’t install untrusted software: Some websites offer you software to accelerate your browser, to help you search the Web or to add toolbars that make things Waterfox already does. Some unwanted programs also come bundled in software packages. Usually, these programs gather information on your browsing behavior that serve only the people who designed them and interfere with Waterfox. Make sure you install add-ons from Waterfox’s add-on website and you uncheck unwanted programs in software wizards. Check to see if you have unwanted add-ons and disable or remove them.

  • Don’t click inside misleading pop-up windows: Many malicious websites try to install malware on your system by making images look like pop-up windows, or displaying an animation of the website scanning your computer. For more information on detecting a misleading pop-up, see Pop-up blocker settings, exceptions and troubleshooting.

  • Don’t run a fake Waterfox: Download Waterfox from waterfox.net.

  • Run anti-virus and anti-spyware real-time protection and scan your system periodically. Make sure your anti-virus and anti-spyware real-time protection is enabled. Scan your computer at least every month.

How do I get rid of malware?

Microsoft has basic free anti-virus and anti-spyware security software built-in on Windows 8 and abovefor Windows 7 (see What is Microsoft Security Essentials?). If your security software hasn’t detected malware, scan your system with the free malware scanning programs listed below. You should scan with all programs because each program detects different malware and make sure that you update each program to get the latest version of their databases before doing a scan.

Need more help?

You can ask for help in a forum specializing in malware removal, such as those listed below: