Firefox Update Center popup virus removal

The right takeaway from frequently encountering Firefox Update Center popup alerts is that there is a virus on the PC, so here’s how to handle the infection.

1. What is the Firefox Update Center virus?
2. Automated removal of Firefox Update Center virus
3. Restore Firefox settings to their original defaults

What is the Firefox Update Center virus?

The only territory where the term “Firefox Update Center” exists is the cybercriminal underground. Instances of legit fine-tuning of said web browser take place in an absolutely different way and don’t involve a scare element. Contrary to that, malicious actors are currently conducting a massive campaign aimed at pressuring users into applying a fake update to fix inexistent errors. This stratagem comes down to redirecting the victims to a deceptive site that triggers a counterfeit Firefox Update Center popup warning shown on the image below.

The goal is to intimidate the user into thinking they may lose sensitive data and will be confronted with more browser malfunctions unless they click the malware-riddled “Update” button. For a greater plausibility, the bogus notification contains the authentic browser logo; plus the background on the page is a mash of unintelligible symbols that should probably suggest that there are actually issues with presenting content accurately. All of this is part of the unfair play, though.

The malefactors in charge of this hoax try to cash in on users’ understandable desire to keep their personal information intact and ensure smooth performance of their browser. The alert mentions some sort of a critical error ensuing from the purported fact that the browser is out of date. Obviously, no one wants to face the risks, so many people will proceed headlong to follow the rogue recommendations. The whole manipulation is encapsulated in the fake warning that goes,

Firefox Update Center

A critical error has occurred due to the outdated version of the browser. Update your browser as soon as possible.

The following errors are also possible on outdated versions of the browser:

Loss of personal and stored data

Confidential information leak

Browser errors

What is it that the attackers want the victim to do? The objective is to dupe the unsuspecting user into applying the pseudo update by clicking on the appropriate button. The problem is that the linked-to file downloaded this way can be extremely harmful. In most cases it’s ransomware, a malicious program that traverses the host computer for personal files, encrypts them all and unleashes an extortion ruse where the target is instructed to pay a certain amount of Bitcoin for the decryption service. Some victims have been reportedly hit by sneaky spyware that carries out reconnaissance on the machine for a subsequent data theft and exfiltration. Either way, the outcome isn’t favorable, to put it mildly.

The mechanism of forwarding users’ Internet traffic to the booby-trapped domains triggering the Firefox Update Center scam popup is two-pronged. One of the techniques engages a malicious browser plugin or add-on that modifies the victim’s web navigation defaults to force hits to the fraudulent sites. In this case, the repair presupposes that the PUA (potentially unwanted application) is removed and browser settings are restored to their normal state.

There is one more scenario. It has to do with hacked websites, mostly ones based on WordPress CMS. The perpetrators have been exploiting vulnerabilities recently discovered in this content management system’s components to inject bad scripts into such web pages. As a result, those visiting the compromised sites from Firefox may get their traffic rerouted and see the phony Firefox Update Center popup alerts. By the way, if the person uses Chrome then they’ll bump into a nearly identical Chrome Update Center warning. Taking care of this vector is a matter of site owners applying the relevant updates to patch the security loopholes. Meanwhile, the users affected by this popup issue should refrain from downloading any files from the sham landing page and make sure there are no viruses on their PCs already.

Automated removal of Firefox Update Center virus

Owing to an up-to-date database of malware signatures and intelligent behavioral detection, the recommended software can quickly locate the infection, eradicate it and remediate all harmful changes. So go ahead and do the following:

1. Download and install the antimalware tool. Open the solution and have it check your PC for PUPs and other types of malicious software by clicking the Start Computer Scan button

Download Firefox Update Center virus remover

2. Rest assured the scan report will list all items that may harm your operating system. Select the detected entries and click Fix Threats to get the troubleshooting completed.

Use Control Panel to get rid of the Firefox Update Center popup virus

• Open up the Control Panel from your Start menu in Windows XP/Vista/7/8/8.1/10 and select Uninstall a program

• To facilitate the process of locating the threat, sort the programs list by date to get the latest ones displayed at the very top. Find an unfamiliar, suspicious entry under the Name column, click Uninstall and follow further directions to get the removal done

Restore Firefox settings to their original defaults

In the circumstances of a complex browser hijack like this, executing a reset makes the most sense despite a few obvious downsides. Customizations such as saved passwords, bookmarked pages etc. will be gone, but so will all the changes made by the potentially unwanted program. The instructions below address the workflow for Firefox browser targeted by the Firefox Update Center virus.

Reset Mozilla Firefox

• Open Firefox, type about:support in the URL area and press Enter. Alternatively, you can click on the Open menu icon in the top right-hand part of the browser window, then select the Help option and proceed to Troubleshooting Information

• On the Troubleshooting Information screen, spot the Refresh Firefox button and click on it

• Follow subsequent directions to reset Firefox to its original settings

• Restart the browser.

Revise your security status

Post-factum assessment of the accuracy component in malware removal scenarios is a great habit that prevents the comeback of harmful code or replication of its unattended fractions. Make sure you are good to go by running an additional safety checkup.

Download Firefox Update Center popup virus removal tool