FireFox Error

[autowasherfreak]

For the past several days I have been getting this error from FireFox. I did a clean disk, cleared private data and it still happens. Any ideas as to what the problem could be?

 

[ttuee2006]

It depends......what were you doing when it gave you that error? Always the same site? Usually an error like that indicates the page you're viewing is borked. If that's not the case, try running something like SpyBot Search & Destroy to see if you've got an adware infestation.

 

[DADoES]

I run into that on sites that run complex scripts when viewing them on the very slow 10-years-old computer at work. I click Continue on the advisory and the page finishes processing.

However, if you really are getting this on the POD page, then something else may be wrong. Far as I'm aware, the POD page simply displays a picture, no background scripts should be running.

 

[autowasherfreak]

It happens a lot with FaceBook, MySpace, eBay, and sometimes with AW & VacuumLand but not as much as the others. I've also noticed that FireFox is loading slower than it used to.

 

[ttuee2006]

Download and run Spybot Search & Destroy. Link posted below.

Sounds like a buildup of "crapware" to me.

http://www.safer-networking.org

 

[autowasherfreak]

It has never happened on the POD. That picture is my background. I have google.com as my startup page and the message pops when load that page as well.

 

[whirlcool]

Another Error

I also have been getting this error lately whenever I go to the homepage on aw.org

 

[danemodsandy]

I Agree:

"It happens a lot with FaceBook, MySpace, eBay, and sometimes with AW & VacuumLand but not as much as the others. I've also noticed that FireFox is loading slower than it used to."

If you're getting a script error on AW.org and Vacuumland, that's an excellent clue that you've got spyware or something similar on your computer, because AW.org and Vacuumland don't use scripts. Something that is running in the background (typical of spyware, etc.) is probably what is generating the error.

Spybot Search & Destroy is the answer. Google it, download it, install it, run it, and keep it current with weekly downloads of the updates. You'll be much better off.

 

[autowasherfreak]

Google Chrome

I decided to try FF 3, but it takes forever and a day for pages to load, but I don't get the script error. So now I'm trying Google Chrome, not sure what I think yet. I don't like the location bookmark on the bar, it over on the right hand side so the menus go from right to left which feels backwards to me. I'm almost considering going back to IE.

 

[DADoES]

I still haven't tried Firefox 3. I've heard a corrupt profile can cause slow loading, and that uninstalling, deleting the profile, reinstalling typically solves it. Only thing is losing bookmarks ... but they can be exported for saving then imported to the new installation.

 

[autowasherfreak]

Google Chrome

So far I like Chrome, it's very basic, pages load quickly. Anyone else on here use it?

 

[ttuee2006]

You're missing the point...

If you haven't cleaned off the computer, no browser is going to save you. Give it time and the new Firefox that you installed (that's slow) and the Google Chrome will be infected too. Clean the machine off before going any further. The link to one of the best programs available to clean off the "crapware" on your computer is posted above in one of my replies. Click it, download it, install it, and run it.

Seriously.....I was an IT admin at Texas Tech for over 2 years....I've seen this a zillion times.

 

[j2400]

I'm interested in Chrome, but don't use it, since it's Windows only for the moment. When it comes in a form I can try, I'll be interested.

I have heard others say that Chrome is faster than Firefox.

Currently, my choice for web browser is Opera--fast, and good features. The minus is that some pages don't render properly. In the past, some pages weren't at all readable, but I haven't noticed that problem in recent releases.

 

[scott55405]

I used to use Crazy Browser and it was fine for a long time, then I started getting a zillion script errors in various places to the point I'd have to restart the computer. I never could use Mozilla (Firefox), Opera, or Safari because they wouldn't work with my laptop's touch pad, although they might work now that I have the computer hooked up to the tv and use a wireless keyboard and mouse.

After I had a virus and took the computer to the shop (they cleaned it up good and it works better than new now) I thought I'd try Crazy Browser again and still a zillion script errors. Not sure why it stopped working right. I've given up all those other browsers and just stick with the Internet Explorer, now that they have multiple tabs.

 

[autowasherfreak]

I'm downloading and installing Spybot S & D and AdAware to use along with Trend Micro.

I used to enjoy the web a lot, but with all the damn spyware, viruses, and other crap, it's just not as enjoyable as it once was for me anyway.

Thank you all for your help.

 

[mattl]

I don't know, I haven't had a problem, knock of wood, but maybe i don't go to dangerous areas of the web. AVG is a fine free anti virus, and the other stuff you downloaded work well to keep you safe. With a good defensive setup you should have no worries.

If you go to dangerous places like the Warez sites I'd use Sandboxie, it's very much like wrapping your PC in Saran, it prevents dangerous sites from installing any crap on your computer. They see your computer and THINK they are installing their crap but once you close the browser it all goes away. Works wiht IE and Firefox among others.

http://www.sandboxie.com/

 

[ttuee2006]

Crapware.....

Is precisely why I use a Mac. Servicing PeeCees all day long makes you truly appreciate a computer you literally don't have to do anything to. Not trying to start a flame war.....seriously!

 

[j2400]

Not meaning to add fuel to a possible flame war

"Crapware..... Is precisely why I use a Mac. Servicing PeeCees all day long makes you truly appreciate a computer you literally don't have to do anything to. Not trying to start a flame war.....seriously!"

I'm reminded of an Apple ad run many years ago, that showed an IT person who serviced NT4 systems all day, and went home to a Mac. He didn't mind, he said, the servicing on the job, since it was his job, but off the clock, he simply wanted something that works.

I have an older Mac that I use for many productivity tasks (mainly word processing.) The current OS install (System 7.5!) has been there, under regular (sometimes very heavy use) for at least five years. From all I hear, good luck getting Windows to go that long--even if disconnected from the Interent. (This Mac is not connected--one reason it works so well for productivity!)

For Internet, I use Linux, partly for security, and reliability. (And also for that low every day price of $0!)

 

[j2400]

Another thing worth trying to secure Windows XP

If I were to run Windows on a machine connected to the Internet, one thing I'd do is to use a users account that is limited for day to day use. Windows XP gives this option. One of the reasons XP has problems is because most users are alwasy running as the root user (I think the term they use is "Administrator") with the power to make system wide changes. Such changes might not be ones that you want, but a virus writer does want. A limited account should limit the power to make system wide changes.

This might not fix everything, but it might help. An additional level of security is always good.

 

[ttuee2006]

Securing XP...

Adding a limited account on XP doesn't really help you in the spyware/adware/virus realm. They still get it and still die from it. The computers on campus always had extremely clamped down settings, and they STILL managed to get infested with junk. The best thing you can do is just use common-sense and caution and you'll be fine.

 

[j2400]

Limits in limited accounts

Theoretically, some sort of restricted account should help. Although, I wouldn't consider it to be a guaranteed fix...just something free, easy to do, that might help a bit.

Unfortunately, though, these fixes only go so far. I, myself, would not trust an XP machine connected to the Internet. Nor, for that matter, would I trust Vista. I've read of at least one account of a person who's had problems with a Vista system picking up malware.

It seems to me that there is also another problem with limited accounts I'd half forgotten about: some software won't run properly on XP Home's limited account. So, it may be that Windows XP Home users, which (I'm guessing) would be most home computer users, would be better off sticking with regular accounts. (I should have remembered this earlier--but frankly I use Windows so little that it's not easy remembering some of these details sometimes.)

 

[autowasherfreak]

I ran Spybot, AdAware, and did a complete scan with Trend Micro. It's funny Spybot found about 20+, AdAware about another 20, and Trend Micro 1 spyware instances. I do like Chrome so far, it's very basic, pages load quickly, so far I haven't found a page that it wouldn't load.

 

[scott55405]

I use AVG, it's great, and Spybot. I'll have to check out "Sandboxie". Overall I have had very little problem with anything in roughly 10 years. My virus this past fall is the first time I've ever had to take a computer to the shop.

I'm so impressed with my IPod and IPhone that I'll probably get a Mac the next time.