Malicious FF AdBlock Protection Firefox add-on warns about necessity to update the browser

FF AdBlock Protection is another suspicious Mozilla Firefox extension that was detected at the beginning of 2018. The add-on is actively being pushed with the help of adware programs which redirect users into a compromised website that urged install a manual Firefox update.
Security specialists from NoVirus.uk[1] warn Firefox users to be careful because these type of scams are extremely popular and aggressive. Thus, if you have been redirected to a website that asks to install FF AdBlock Protection, FF Search Informer, FF AntiVir Monitoring or similar extension, you have to leave this site immediately.
However, the research has shown that the malicious website might be preventing users from closing the browser. If you cannot close this browser tab, you should kill Firefox processes in the Windows Task Manager. If these redirects continue, you should also use FortectIntego or another anti-malware software to check if adware was not installed on your device.
The ad-supported program which is responsible for redirecting to FF AdBlock Protection scam website usually is installed together with free programs. Thus, the hijack is often unnoticed. However, soon users are bothered by redirects, ads and other suspicious activities on the affected web browser.
So-called FF AdBlock Protection virus is designed to redirect a user to fake Firefox update page that states the following information:
Firefox requires a manual update
This update is required to ensure that you are protected on the Internet
Install now* This update is required * Protect yourself immediately on the internet
* Internet pages are automatically examined and possibly blocked
* Increased protection against malware and viruses
Keep in mind that Firefox updates do not arrive in such form. Thus, you should not install any app or update offered by FF AdBlock Protection adware. The installation of this tool might end up with infiltration of spyware, malware[2] or trojan horse. Hence, you might suffer from further computer-related problems.
If redirects to this site repeats itself and you also noticed an increased amount of pop-ups while browsing the web, you should take care of your computer’s state. As we have mentioned already, it might be the sign of adware infection. Thus, FF AdBlock Protection removal is needed.
This suspicious application can be removed either manually or automatically, so you have to choose the method that suits your needs and skills. Anti-malware tools can quickly remove FF AdBlock Protection from the system, but if you are not willing to installing additional software, you should follow the manual removal guide below.

Explanation on how PUPs get into the system and how to avoid them
FF AdBlock Protection redirect virus was spotted spreading in the same way as other potentially unwanted programs – bundled with freeware or shareware. Hence, if you have installed a free program using “Quick” or “Recommended” settings.
You should always have in mind that these settings do not reveal additional components that might be included in the freeware package. Thus, you have to get used to “Advanced” or “Custom” installers and read notifications provided there attentively.
If you see any programs, PC optimizers, browser add-on[3] or similar entries offered to download, please remove the ticks next to them to avoid unwanted changes to the browser or computer.
Uninstall FF AdBlock Protection from Firefox entirely
If you have accidentally installed this malicious Firefox add-on, you have to delete it from the extensions list immediately. Checking the list of browser add-ons is also needed if you are continuously being redirected to this corrupted site too.
The guide below will give you detailed explanation how you can locate and eliminate all adware-related entries. Follow it carefully because if you overlook some entries or forget to reset the browser, FF AdBlock Protection removal wouldn’t be completed successfully.
If you want to avoid failure and save your time, you should remove FF AdBlock Protection automatically with anti-malware software. After the scanning the system and letting the program to clean malicious components, you should still reset Mozilla Firefox.
Uninstall from Windows
Uninstall from Windows 10/8:
- Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.

Remove the unwanted program:
- In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
- If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.

Delete from macOS
Remove the unwanted application:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).

Delete leftover files and folders:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
- Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.

- Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.
Reset Internet Explorer
Remove dangerous add-ons:
- Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
- Pick Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.

Change your homepage if it was altered:
- Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
- Select Internet Options.
- In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
- Click Apply and then select OK.

Delete temporary files:
- Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
- Under Browsing history, click Delete...
- Select relevant fields and press Delete.

Reset Internet Explorer:
- Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
- Select Reset.
- In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.

Remove from Microsoft Edge
Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:
- Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
- From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
- Click Remove.

Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.

Restore new tab and homepage settings:
- Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
- Then find On startup section.
- Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.
Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:
- Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
- Select Details tab.
- Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge
Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and site data:
- Click on Menu and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy, search and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Under Time range, pick All time.
- Select Clear now.

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- On the left side, pick Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- Confirm with Reset.
- This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
- Select Add-ons.
- In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.

Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Settings.
- Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data...
- Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.

Reset Mozilla Firefox
If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
- Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.

- Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
- Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.

Remove from Google Chrome
Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
- Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
- In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:
- Click on Menu and pick Settings.
- Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
- Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data.

Change your homepage:
- Click menu and choose Settings.
- Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
- Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.
Reset Google Chrome:
If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
- Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
- Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Confirm with Reset settings.

Delete from Safari
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
- Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.

Clear history and website data:
- Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
- Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.

Reset Safari:
- Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
- Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.

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