Firefox won't stop bugging me about PDF files I don't want to download

[fustercluck]

The last couple days firefox randomly pops up pdf files like I clicked on a link to download them, asking me if I want to open them or save them. But these files come out of nowhere and I've never heard of them. Random stuff like gruar.pdf and betabs.pdf. The download prompts keep popping up continuously and out of nowhere it seems, doesn't matter what site I'm at. It won't stop asking me to download PDF files. Even with pages with no PDF files located anywhere. It's got me confused. I don't think it's spyware as I check for that often (did earlier today and yesterday). Some kind of bug or something...Is there a way to tell firefox never to ask me to download a certain file? I don't see that option in the download window...it'd be really helpful if there was an option like that =/

I have 3 of the windows up now, all the same file, all popped up within about 20 seconds of eachother. This won't happen constantly but throughout the day randomly.

I was going to ask about this at the mozilla support forums but they're down right now, just my luck 😛

 

[MadAmos]

I would bet on a Virus/Trojan I recconend reading This">http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2004933&enterthread=y</a>and particularly John's malware removal guide.

Amos

 

[theprodigalrebel]

Are all these PDF files hosted on the same server? Check the address and maybe you can add it to your HOSTS file as a temporary fix?
Definitely sounds like Virus/Trojan. Do a full AV & Spyware scan. Do you see any suspicious processes in Task Manager?

 

[fustercluck]

Originally posted by: MadAmos
I would bet on a Virus/Trojan I recconend reading This">http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2004933&enterthread=y</a>and particularly John's malware removal guide.

Amos

Try that link again 😛

It sounds like ad/spy/mal-ware but I still don't think it is. I used FF on a different profile for a while and it never showed up, so it's probably caused by some extension. I'd still like to find out what it is, but I could just delete my current FF profile.

 

[AllGamer]

install this plug in and problem solved

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/636

 

[Brazen]

^ that is not going to solve his problem; he'll still get a prompt, it will just be a different prompt.

I'll agree that it is probably a virus/trojan. It may not have been picked up by your virus or spyware scanner, but you should read some of MechBGon's testing of malware and how many don't get picked up. Anyway, hopefully you use a limited account, which means it is probably not spread beyond your user account. I would suggest backing up your data and write down what extensions you use (though I would start fresh with your firefox profile) then then blow away your user account and create a new one.

Alternatively, you could try just blowing away your firefox profile and create just a new one of those.