Wait on. I just did a Google Search to locate proram files and it said C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\ as I am 64 bit. So I put that in the search at the bottom and now have a file distribution and inside that found policie s:jsn.

You said to drag that and drop onto a Firefox tab.

I opened a new tab on the Firefox URL page and dragged the file there and got (see attachment) and YES it has the unwanted bookmarks.

What I have done so far is (for me) the most advanced I hav ever done without stressing completely. You are great teacher.

What should I do next?

Anthony

p.s. why it said 86 I don't know. But the start of the line said Firefox (64-bit Windows) C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\

Dear jscher2000

Have you read my replies above to your latest suggestions?

Anxious to hear back from you.

Cheers Anthony

(x86) means that Firefox is installed in the location used for a 32-bit Firefox version. The 64-bit version would have been installed in C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox.

I notice that you have a user agent ( Firefox/93.0/wf6JVYtA-05) that is likely modified by Avast Anti-Track (the trailing /wf6JVYtA-05 part) and could cause problems on some websites, so if you do use this software then try to disable it for Firefox. You can possibly contact Avast about this if their software causes problems for you.

What is the timestamp of this policies.json to check when it got created ?

You can remove the policies.json file or move it to another location in case you need it for later reporting. Reboot Windows to see if that takes care of it or that the file gets recreated in case the malware is still active.

Hi Anthony, I agree with this advice from cor-el:

You can remove the policies.json file or move it to another location in case you need it for later reporting. Reboot Windows to see if that takes care of it or that the file gets recreated in case the malware is still active.

Dear Cor-el,

Now I am confused. I have AVG anti-track (not Avast but I think it is the same company). It is part of my AVG internet security.

This software has been there for ages and does not cause any problems. The save.net helper problem is only very recent.

I don't understand when you ask what is the time stamp for policies.json. Did you mean when did I find it this morning to send to jschr2000?

I also have no idea about moving policies:json to another location.

Sorry but I am not at all computer savvy. Jscher2000 has been helping me so far and I am waiting to hear bcak after I found the files he said to look for.

It is my hope that he will get back to me. In the meantime I thank you for contacting me.

Cheers Anthony

Dear jscher2000,

Am now totally confused. Sorry. What am I to move and where to and how do i do it?

Are you taking about policies:json?

Or are you talking about the attachment i last sent to you which I managed to get after a few more clicks (see below).

I know how to reboot but I don't know now what or how to do next. Your last instructions are now on another page of this support page.

Please don't give up on me. From what you said I thought we were very close.

Thanks

Anthony

Please step by step so I can follow.

Hi Anthony, to move the policies.json file to another folder you can try this:

• right-click the file
• Cut
• change folders to Desktop or Documents
• right-click a blank area of the list
• Paste

Because it is a program folder, Windows might ask for extra authorization to move the file (just a popup with a button to click, usually).

At the next startup, with that file gone, Firefox should not have those policies listed on the about:policies page.

I just typed a long email and then it said an error occurred so i shall try again.

I am ready to break down and cry. It is not working like you said.

I have the file on screen that says policies:json but when I right click on it I do not get "cut" or "change folders" instead I get a list of options starting with "open link in new tab"

Is there any way I can phone you and speak with you? I am really at breaking point.

So pleased with all the time you have given me. I thought I was making progress when I got to what is in the second attachment below but then you have come back with the instructions above that don't seem to work.

Please, I need you. Can I call you? Or are you going to give up with me? I hope not

Anthony

Dear jscher2000

I can't take anymore today so am closing down for the night.

Will get back to you tomorrow.

Again I thank you for all your help and time.

Anthony

I have the file on screen that says policies:json but when I right click on it I do not get "cut" or "change folders" instead I get a list of options starting with "open link in new tab"

Hi Anthony, you are viewing the distribution folder in Firefox, but the browser only gives you a "read only" view. You need to open the folder in Windows' File Explorer.

Note that the policies.json file has been there for quite some time: last modified: 27-jul-20 and that doesn't sound like 'the other day'. Since this file is in the (x86) folder, is it possible that you were using a 32 bit Firefox version during that time and that later you have used the 64-bit version, but somehow got switch back to the 32-bit version as you should have noticed this issue quite some time ago ?

Since you are on 64 bit Windows, it would make sense to use the 64 bit Firefox version, so you can possibly uninstall the 32-bit version and install the 64-bit Firefox version for better performance.

You can find the full installer of the current Firefox release (93.0) in all languages and all operating systems here:

• https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/all/#product-desktop-release
• https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/93.0/releasenotes/

Dear jscher2000 and also cor-el

Thank you for all your time yesterday. I do appreciate it.

I have never downloaded or updated Firefox manually. It is always on automatic updates and when i look in the Apps (attachment below) it tells me I am on the 64 bit version of Firefox. I would be afraid to uninstall Firefox, if there was a need, and to reinstall it as I am afraid I would lose so many of my settings in Firefox, i.e. bookmarks, add-ons and so on. If policies:jason has been there for 12 months, why when I clicked on it somewhere yesterday did it give the save helper information (attachment 2). I just don't understand. Sorry

You (jsher2000) have said to reopen it in Windows File Explorer. I have no idea what this means. Again, sorry.

I am just going to leave things as they are and hope the savefrm helper is not doing anything to my computer as it is not in the programs since it was deleted.

Again I thank you both for all your help and I would like to make a payment for your help which went throughout the day yesterday. If you will not accept any payment from me, if you would care to name your favourite charity, I will make a donation to them and confirm it with you afterwards that I have done such.

I am old and get too stressed when things are not right with my computer and I hope you can understand that I have now given up.

Finally, I again thank you, particularly jscher2000 who was with me throughout the day yesterday.

Cheers, Anthony

Hi Anthony, no need to uninstall. Long-time users whose Firefox installation dates back before Firefox 54 often have 64-bit Firefox in the old program folders. Users with 64-bit Windows weren't pushed over to 64-bit Firefox until around Firefox 54, and it just went into the existing folder.

Of the policies listed in your screenshot, I think most of those are the default settings: auto update, show the bookmarks toolbar, and keep add-ons updated. The one causing the annoyance is the bookmark one. (I would only be guessing about the date on the file, but it's possible that it had that date in the SaveFromNet installer and simply dropping it on disk didn't modify the date.)

Anyway:

You (jsher2000) have said to reopen it in Windows File Explorer. I have no idea what this means.

Windows File Explorer is the program included with Windows that you use to list folder contents.

If you type or paste the following into the Windows 10 search box --

c:\program files (x86)\mozilla firefox

-- Windows should display a suggestion to open that folder, and it will use Windows File Explorer:

That is where you can find the distribution folder and unwanted policies.json file.

Good Morning jscher2000,

Thank you for your help. I have managed to do what you said.

I got to the distribution folder and clicked on it. The following came up (see attachment)

If I click on extensions, I get the following (see latest2 attachment) which shows the net helper add on.

Should I delete this? Will everything now be done, i.e. I can stop worrying about the addon net helper?

thank you again

Anthony

p.s. I still would like you to nominate a charity so I can in this way compensate you for your time

Also confused that this helper file is dated 5 February. The helper problem only came a few days ago with the add on.

but the extensions is dated 18th October which is when the problem started.

If Windows will let you do this, I would do this:

• Click up one level to the main Mozilla Firefox folder
• right-click distribution and click Rename, add OLD to the end of distribution, then press Enter or click away to save the change

That will hide the entire folder from Firefox.

One last question..

Add OLD to the name of the folder so a space after distribution, i.e. distribution OLD or no space, i.e. distributionOLD

After that should I reboot the computer to see if that extension is no longer on my browser?

I am feeling we are getting to the end thanks to your patience with this old man

Anthony