OT? What has Firefox done. Unwanted synchronization

What has Firefox done?

I just now closed it and reopened it and it wants an email address just
to get to the Firefox data on this computer.

It says this will synchronize all my devices, but I only have two of
them and I don't want them synchronized.


I did sign up for a Firefox account 18 months ago, to load data from
another computer, and I used it once, 18 months ago. But I have no idea
if that data is updated and it no longer has anything to do with any
email address.

Is there a way out of this?

micky wrote:
What has Firefox done?

I just now closed it and reopened it and it wants an email address just
to get to the Firefox data on this computer.

It says this will synchronize all my devices, but I only have two of
them and I don't want them synchronized.


I did sign up for a Firefox account 18 months ago, to load data from
another computer, and I used it once, 18 months ago. But I have no idea
if that data is updated and it no longer has anything to do with any
email address.

Is there a way out of this?

Does Firefox have preferences ?

How about "about:config" for example.

Second point, when you "pull the network plug" on
a computer (i.e. do whatever is necessary to disturb
the ability of the crap software to communicate
with the outside world), you can

"substantially reduce it's ability to make a nuisance of itself"

Now, combine those two ideas, and "take control" of
your troublesome software.

Firefox has multiple places to store stuff, frequently
with files ending in ".js". But you don't have to
attack those, if you can tame the appetites
of the software with your "whip and chair". Show
it who is the boss. Rip out network cable. Heheh.
Laugh maniacally as you do it, for effect. Like you're
actually in control of the situation.

I use a variant of that procedure with Firefox, so
I can set the "Don't do Updates" before it has
sufficient time over high-speed Internet, to suck
in the update you don't want, and apply it for spite.
This means "pulling the network cable" before starting
the install, and not plugging in the cable until
Updates have been neutered. The reason I neuter updates,
is on experimental VMs (to be tossed after three days
average usage), I don't want any experiments upset
by Firefox updating in the middle of what I'm doing.
Whatever it happens to be. When I say "No Maintenance",
I mean it. This is also why I've taken to disabling
Windows Defender in the VM, just to free up cycles.

Paul

In alt.comp.os.windows-10, on Fri, 31 May 2019 19:04:08 -0400, Paul
wrote:

micky wrote:
What has Firefox done?

I just now closed it and reopened it and it wants an email address just
to get to the Firefox data on this computer.

It says this will synchronize all my devices, but I only have two of
them and I don't want them synchronized.


I did sign up for a Firefox account 18 months ago, to load data from
another computer, and I used it once, 18 months ago. But I have no idea
if that data is updated and it no longer has anything to do with any
email address.

Is there a way out of this?

Does Firefox have preferences ?

How about "about:config" for example.

Yes, but that has literally hundreds of settings. Wouldn't know which
one to ouch.

I've been using Edge since I had this problem, and after I took care of
some credit card business, I was going to continue searching information
about this problem, as the this thread was intended to do.

But after 2 hours, I got an email with a link and forgot I was supposed
to be using Edge and I clicked on it. FFox started looking just like it
did 3 hours ago. Maybe it was an elaborate scam, maybe a later screen
would ask for more than an email address. OTOH, maybe next time I
restart FF, the same thing will show up because it's for real.

I've been meaning to set up to read the Firefox newsgroup but I haven't
done it. Something about this should be on the web, if it's a scam or
if it was for real. I did one search an hour ago on

new firefox requires login and didn't find anything recent.

Other searches just give info on how to sync accounts.

Second point, when you "pull the network plug" on
a computer (i.e. do whatever is necessary to disturb
the ability of the crap software to communicate
with the outside world), you can

"substantially reduce it's ability to make a nuisance of itself"

Now, combine those two ideas, and "take control" of
your troublesome software.

Firefox has multiple places to store stuff, frequently
with files ending in ".js". But you don't have to
attack those, if you can tame the appetites
of the software with your "whip and chair". Show
it who is the boss. Rip out network cable. Heheh.
Laugh maniacally as you do it, for effect. Like you're
actually in control of the situation.

I use a variant of that procedure with Firefox, so
I can set the "Don't do Updates" before it has
sufficient time over high-speed Internet, to suck
in the update you don't want, and apply it for spite.
This means "pulling the network cable" before starting
the install, and not plugging in the cable until
Updates have been neutered. The reason I neuter updates,
is on experimental VMs (to be tossed after three days
average usage), I don't want any experiments upset
by Firefox updating in the middle of what I'm doing.
Whatever it happens to be. When I say "No Maintenance",
I mean it. This is also why I've taken to disabling
Windows Defender in the VM, just to free up cycles.

Thanks for the information.

Paul

In alt.comp.os.windows-10, on Fri, 31 May 2019 21:19:13 -0400, micky
wrote:


I've been using Edge since I had this problem, and after I took care of
some credit card business, I was going to continue searching information
about this problem, as the this thread was intended to do.

Because I was using Edge, places where I tried to login and pay bills
didn't recognize me, so they offered to call and give me a code I could
enter on the webpage to verify my phone number, etc. With one company
at least, every time it called I answered by pressing the speakerphone
button on the hard-wired phone. Then there was silence and I had them
send the code again. Sometimes the phone never rang, so I did this a
lot**, but on two occasions, I picked up the handset and then their
recording started playing.

**Eventually there was something that took me to a page where it offered
to email me. Why they pushed phone calls and practically hid getting an
email I don't know.

So apparently, the calling party can tell if you answer with a
speakerphone or a handset!!! This is a Uniden Tru888nnn something with
a base station with a hard-wired phone and 3 cordless phones. I'm using
the phone at the base station. It's at least 10 years old, maybe 15 or
20.

I always thought that, other than sound quality, the speakerphone was
the same as the handset from a caller's perspective.

I wonder if a cordless extension phone is like the wired phone, or the
speakerphone, or if it's a 3rd class of phone.

I think it was Amazon Chase credit card, and I suppose I could test all
this by using a different web browser, but I'm worn out.

BTW, Chase has been sending me email alerts when I charge things over
the phone or over a certain amount, and for at least 3 years, the links
in those emails and some but not all other emails they send are
malformed and point to non-existent files on my computer instead of
webpages. I'm not going to tell them. I want to see how long it takes
before they notice.

micky wrote:


I've been meaning to set up to read the Firefox newsgroup but I haven't
done it. Something about this should be on the web, if it's a scam or
if it was for real. I did one search an hour ago on

new firefox requires login and didn't find anything recent.

Other searches just give info on how to sync accounts.

If you think this is a Firefox exploit, give Adwcleaner
a try, as in the past it used to check prefs.js for
shenanigans.

https://www.malwarebytes.com/adwcleaner

The Adwcleaner was originally made by a person in France,
but the code was bought by Malwarebytes.

Paul

On Fri, 31 May 2019 21:19:13 -0400, micky
wrote:

In alt.comp.os.windows-10, on Fri, 31 May 2019 19:04:08 -0400, Paul
wrote:

micky wrote:
What has Firefox done?

I just now closed it and reopened it and it wants an email address just
to get to the Firefox data on this computer.

It says this will synchronize all my devices, but I only have two of
them and I don't want them synchronized.


I did sign up for a Firefox account 18 months ago, to load data from
another computer, and I used it once, 18 months ago. But I have no idea
if that data is updated and it no longer has anything to do with any
email address.

Is there a way out of this?

Does Firefox have preferences ?

How about "about:config" for example.

Yes, but that has literally hundreds of settings. Wouldn't know which
one to ouch.

I've been using Edge since I had this problem, and after I took care of
some credit card business, I was going to continue searching information
about this problem, as the this thread was intended to do.

But after 2 hours, I got an email with a link and forgot I was supposed
to be using Edge and I clicked on it. FFox started looking just like it
did 3 hours ago. Maybe it was an elaborate scam, maybe a later screen
would ask for more than an email address. OTOH, maybe next time I
restart FF, the same thing will show up because it's for real.

I've been meaning to set up to read the Firefox newsgroup but I haven't
done it. Something about this should be on the web, if it's a scam or
if it was for real. I did one search an hour ago on

new firefox requires login and didn't find anything recent.

Other searches just give info on how to sync accounts.

Second point, when you "pull the network plug" on
a computer (i.e. do whatever is necessary to disturb
the ability of the crap software to communicate
with the outside world), you can

"substantially reduce it's ability to make a nuisance of itself"

Now, combine those two ideas, and "take control" of
your troublesome software.

Firefox has multiple places to store stuff, frequently
with files ending in ".js". But you don't have to
attack those, if you can tame the appetites
of the software with your "whip and chair". Show
it who is the boss. Rip out network cable. Heheh.
Laugh maniacally as you do it, for effect. Like you're
actually in control of the situation.

I use a variant of that procedure with Firefox, so
I can set the "Don't do Updates" before it has
sufficient time over high-speed Internet, to suck
in the update you don't want, and apply it for spite.
This means "pulling the network cable" before starting
the install, and not plugging in the cable until
Updates have been neutered. The reason I neuter updates,
is on experimental VMs (to be tossed after three days
average usage), I don't want any experiments upset
by Firefox updating in the middle of what I'm doing.
Whatever it happens to be. When I say "No Maintenance",
I mean it. This is also why I've taken to disabling
Windows Defender in the VM, just to free up cycles.

Thanks for the information.

Paul

Firefox is ridiculous. Every update makes it less usable.
If you must use Firefox uninstall the current one, install
version 56, and set it to never update.
Be aware Firefox is so badly behaved it may ask you permission
to update. Just say NO!

On Fri, 31 May 2019 21:54:59 -0400, micky
wrote:

In alt.comp.os.windows-10, on Fri, 31 May 2019 21:19:13 -0400, micky
wrote:


I've been using Edge since I had this problem, and after I took care of
some credit card business, I was going to continue searching information
about this problem, as the this thread was intended to do.

Because I was using Edge, places where I tried to login and pay bills
didn't recognize me, so they offered to call and give me a code I could
enter on the webpage to verify my phone number, etc. With one company
at least, every time it called I answered by pressing the speakerphone
button on the hard-wired phone. Then there was silence and I had them
send the code again. Sometimes the phone never rang, so I did this a
lot**, but on two occasions, I picked up the handset and then their
recording started playing.

**Eventually there was something that took me to a page where it offered
to email me. Why they pushed phone calls and practically hid getting an
email I don't know.

They would consider phone more secure.

So apparently, the calling party can tell if you answer with a
speakerphone or a handset!!!

Their system would be listening for a sound to indicate the call
was answered. The handset may cause some sound like a click.

In alt.comp.os.windows-10, on Fri, 31 May 2019 23:06:09 -0400, Paul
wrote:

micky wrote:


I've been meaning to set up to read the Firefox newsgroup but I haven't
done it. Something about this should be on the web, if it's a scam or
if it was for real. I did one search an hour ago on

new firefox requires login and didn't find anything recent.

Other searches just give info on how to sync accounts.

If you think this is a Firefox exploit, give Adwcleaner
a try, as in the past it used to check prefs.js for
shenanigans.

https://www.malwarebytes.com/adwcleaner

Everytime I install somethign I get a box that says Windows Defender
Smartscreen can't be accessed now. (so it doens't know if the program
is safe.) Does that ever work?

It took a long time to start, over 10 minutes, and I ended up starting
it twice. Not sure which one actually started, but it's running now.

The Adwcleaner was originally made by a person in France,
but the code was bought by Malwarebytes.

Paul

On Fri, 31 May 2019 18:54:40 -0400, micky wrote:

Is there a way out of this?

mozilla.support.firefox ?

--
s|b

micky wrote:

Everytime I install somethign I get a box that says Windows Defender
Smartscreen can't be accessed now.

I only get that warning if I install something "lesser known".

In alt.comp.os.windows-10, on Fri, 31 May 2019 23:06:09 -0400, Paul
wrote:

micky wrote:


I've been meaning to set up to read the Firefox newsgroup but I haven't
done it. Something about this should be on the web, if it's a scam or
if it was for real. I did one search an hour ago on

new firefox requires login and didn't find anything recent.

Other searches just give info on how to sync accounts.

If you think this is a Firefox exploit, give Adwcleaner
a try, as in the past it used to check prefs.js for
shenanigans.

https://www.malwarebytes.com/adwcleaner

It only found 12 items in 4 bunches, and it cleaned/quarantined 10 of
them. But two it didn't.

WARNING [Cleaning] Failed to quarantine:
"PUP.Optional.SofTonicAssistant" , "HKCU\\Software\\Classes\\Local
Settings\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVer sion\\AppContainer\\Storage\\microsoft.microsofted ge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\\Children\\001\\Internet
Explorer\\EdpDomStorage\\restore-windows-photo-viewer-to-windows-10.en.softonic.com"
[ "Registry" ]

WARNING [Cleaning] Failed to quarantine:
"PUP.Optional.SofTonicAssistant" , "HKCU\\Software\\Classes\\Local
Settings\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVer sion\\AppContainer\\Storage\\microsoft.microsofted ge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\\Children\\001\\Internet
Explorer\\DOMStorage\\restore-windows-photo-viewer-to-windows-10.en.softonic.com"
[ "Registry" ]

In another file, it put it this way, about the same 2 items:
Not Deleted HKCU\Software\Classes\Local
Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion \AppContainer\Storage\microsoft.microsoftedge_8wek yb3d8bbwe\Children\001\Internet
Explorer\DOMStorage\restore-windows-photo-viewer-to-windows-10.en.softonic.com
Not Deleted HKCU\Software\Classes\Local
Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion \AppContainer\Storage\microsoft.microsoftedge_8wek yb3d8bbwe\Children\001\Internet
Explorer\EdpDomStorage\restore-windows-photo-viewer-to-windows-10.en.softonic.com

I may well have installed this myself, in an attempt toget the
prior-to-Win10 photo viewer.


What do you suppose that means? That it lists it as a PUP and it seems
wanted to uninstall it but didn't?

Despite what it said on their webpage, it gave no suggestions.

I note microsoft.microsoftedge_8wekyb3d8bbwe in their registry
addresses. Does this mean it's related especially, or only, to Edge?
Because I almost never use that.


The Adwcleaner was originally made by a person in France,
but the code was bought by Malwarebytes.

Paul

In alt.comp.os.windows-10, on Sat, 1 Jun 2019 20:06:11 +0100, Andy Burns
wrote:

micky wrote:

Everytime I install somethign I get a box that says Windows Defender
Smartscreen can't be accessed now.

I only get that warning if I install something "lesser known".

Maybe that's true for me too. But how come Smartscreen is never
available and they still keep checking it. Make or break. Fix it or
stop checking it.

micky wrote:
In alt.comp.os.windows-10, on Fri, 31 May 2019 23:06:09 -0400, Paul
wrote:

micky wrote:

I've been meaning to set up to read the Firefox newsgroup but I haven't
done it. Something about this should be on the web, if it's a scam or
if it was for real. I did one search an hour ago on

new firefox requires login and didn't find anything recent.

Other searches just give info on how to sync accounts.
If you think this is a Firefox exploit, give Adwcleaner
a try, as in the past it used to check prefs.js for
shenanigans.

https://www.malwarebytes.com/adwcleaner

It only found 12 items in 4 bunches, and it cleaned/quarantined 10 of
them. But two it didn't.

WARNING [Cleaning] Failed to quarantine:
"PUP.Optional.SofTonicAssistant" , "HKCU\\Software\\Classes\\Local
Settings\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVer sion\\AppContainer\\Storage\\microsoft.microsofted ge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\\Children\\001\\Internet
Explorer\\EdpDomStorage\\restore-windows-photo-viewer-to-windows-10.en.softonic.com"
[ "Registry" ]

WARNING [Cleaning] Failed to quarantine:
"PUP.Optional.SofTonicAssistant" , "HKCU\\Software\\Classes\\Local
Settings\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVer sion\\AppContainer\\Storage\\microsoft.microsofted ge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\\Children\\001\\Internet

Explorer\\DOMStorage\\restore-windows-photo-viewer-to-windows-10.en.softonic.com"
[ "Registry" ]

In another file, it put it this way, about the same 2 items:
Not Deleted HKCU\Software\Classes\Local
Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion \AppContainer\Storage\microsoft.microsoftedge_8wek yb3d8bbwe\Children\001\Internet
Explorer\DOMStorage\restore-windows-photo-viewer-to-windows-10.en.softonic.com
Not Deleted HKCU\Software\Classes\Local
Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion \AppContainer\Storage\microsoft.microsoftedge_8wek yb3d8bbwe\Children\001\Internet
Explorer\EdpDomStorage\restore-windows-photo-viewer-to-windows-10.en.softonic.com

I may well have installed this myself, in an attempt toget the
prior-to-Win10 photo viewer.


What do you suppose that means? That it lists it as a PUP and it seems
wanted to uninstall it but didn't?

Despite what it said on their webpage, it gave no suggestions.

I note microsoft.microsoftedge_8wekyb3d8bbwe in their registry
addresses. Does this mean it's related especially, or only, to Edge?
Because I almost never use that.

The Adwcleaner was originally made by a person in France,
but the code was bought by Malwarebytes.

Paul


That could be a red-herring with respect to Firefox.

On Chrome...

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/for...e-help-remove/

Open Google Chrome, click on menu icon
Click "Settings" then "Show advanced settings"
Click "Reset browser settings" button.
Restart Chrome.

That might help clear DOM storage, as part of its reset routine.
For each browser Adwcleaner complains about (like MSEdge), you
could try the browser reset.

But your problem is related to Firefox.

And the important issue, is whether the Firefox query is
a genuine query being generated by Firefox itself. Or another
possibility, is it's a "phishing" attack trying to get you
to enter username/password for hacking or account stealing
purposes.

And Adwcleaner doesn't seem to have made any reference to Firefox.

Paul

In alt.comp.os.windows-10, on Sun, 02 Jun 2019 01:04:21 +1000, Lucifer
wrote:

On Fri, 31 May 2019 21:54:59 -0400, micky
wrote:

In alt.comp.os.windows-10, on Fri, 31 May 2019 21:19:13 -0400, micky
wrote:


I've been using Edge since I had this problem, and after I took care of
some credit card business, I was going to continue searching information
about this problem, as the this thread was intended to do.

Because I was using Edge, places where I tried to login and pay bills
didn't recognize me, so they offered to call and give me a code I could
enter on the webpage to verify my phone number, etc. With one company
at least, every time it called I answered by pressing the speakerphone
button on the hard-wired phone. Then there was silence and I had them
send the code again. Sometimes the phone never rang, so I did this a
lot**, but on two occasions, I picked up the handset and then their
recording started playing.

**Eventually there was something that took me to a page where it offered
to email me. Why they pushed phone calls and practically hid getting an
email I don't know.

They would consider phone more secure.

I guess so but it was a real nuisance. The line pointing to the email
page was in blue, but if I saw it, I thought it would be a place to
write an email explaining the problem, not a simple solution.

Another time during that same period, a phone message came with a code,
but it no longer worked because it took more than 10 minutes to arrive.
Most times from other websites phone calls come within 5 seconds.

OTOH, the email came right away.

And all of this because I was using Edge because Firefox seemed flakey.

So apparently, the calling party can tell if you answer with a
speakerphone or a handset!!!

Their system would be listening for a sound to indicate the call
was answered. The handset may cause some sound like a click.

Maybe it's a fluke and the handset makes more of a click than the
speakerphone switch.

In alt.comp.os.windows-10, on Sat, 01 Jun 2019 15:29:06 -0400, Paul
wrote:


But your problem is related to Firefox.

And the important issue, is whether the Firefox query is
a genuine query being generated by Firefox itself. Or another
possibility, is it's a "phishing" attack trying to get you
to enter username/password for hacking or account stealing
purposes.

And Adwcleaner doesn't seem to have made any reference to Firefox.

Paul

Well, it did do 10 other things. Oh, I just looked and every one but
the two short ones say microsoftedge, so if that is for real, darn, no
firefox. But I'll be on guard for page redirection. I pay attention to
that anyhow, but I'll pay more attention.



Deleted HKCU\Software\APN PIP -- one of the short ones

Deleted HKCU\Software\Classes\Local
Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion \AppContainer\Storage\microsoft.microsoftedge_8wek yb3d8bbwe\Children\001\Internet
Explorer\DOMStorage\dotomi.com

Deleted HKCU\Software\Classes\Local
Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion \AppContainer\Storage\microsoft.microsoftedge_8wek yb3d8bbwe\Children\001\Internet
Explorer\DOMStorage\download.driversupport.com

Deleted HKCU\Software\Classes\Local
Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion \AppContainer\Storage\microsoft.microsoftedge_8wek yb3d8bbwe\Children\001\Internet
Explorer\DOMStorage\driversupport.com

Deleted HKCU\Software\Classes\Local
Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion \AppContainer\Storage\microsoft.microsoftedge_8wek yb3d8bbwe\Children\001\Internet
Explorer\DOMStorage\softonic.com

Deleted HKCU\Software\Classes\Local
Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion \AppContainer\Storage\microsoft.microsoftedge_8wek yb3d8bbwe\Children\001\Internet
Explorer\EdpDomStorage\dotomi.com

Deleted HKCU\Software\Classes\Local
Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion \AppContainer\Storage\microsoft.microsoftedge_8wek yb3d8bbwe\Children\001\Internet
Explorer\EdpDomStorage\download.driversupport.com

Deleted HKCU\Software\Classes\Local
Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion \AppContainer\Storage\microsoft.microsoftedge_8wek yb3d8bbwe\Children\001\Internet
Explorer\EdpDomStorage\driversupport.com

Deleted HKCU\Software\Classes\Local
Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion \AppContainer\Storage\microsoft.microsoftedge_8wek yb3d8bbwe\Children\001\Internet
Explorer\EdpDomStorage\softonic.com

Deleted HKCU\Software\csastats -- one of the short ones
-----------

As I said befo
Not Deleted HKCU\Software\Classes\Local
Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion \AppContainer\Storage\microsoft.microsoftedge_8wek yb3d8bbwe\Children\001\Internet
Explorer\DOMStorage\restore-windows-photo-viewer-to-windows-10.en.softonic.com

Not Deleted HKCU\Software\Classes\Local
Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion \AppContainer\Storage\microsoft.microsoftedge_8wek yb3d8bbwe\Children\001\Internet
Explorer\EdpDomStorage\restore-windows-photo-viewer-to-windows-10.en.softonic.com

This was supposed to restore a photo viewer to windows, unrelated to any
web browswer after it did its work. I don't remember if it worked or
not, don't even remember if I did it or not.