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Why do you include spyware Delta Search in your download?

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I download Firefox and discovered a spyware/virus had been included in your software. It took me days to find out how to remove it from all Firefox and all the other browsers it infected along with uninstalling the software. Why would you include a spyware/virus with your Foxfire software? Are you trying to discourage people from using your software? Seriously.

I download Firefox and discovered a spyware/virus had been included in your software. It took me days to find out how to remove it from all Firefox and all the other browsers it infected along with uninstalling the software. Why would you include a spyware/virus with your Foxfire software? Are you trying to discourage people from using your software? Seriously.

Chosen solution

you must have gotten this adware through another source then - no download from the official firefox site will include such crap...

Read this answer in context 👍 3

All Replies (16)

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You can go on and on about what you "think" does not come with Firefox, but that does not change what has happened to many computers - Just google it, you will see thousands of complaints!

I have fixed 4 PC's and 1 laptop in the last few days that downloaded the software "Directly" from the mozilla.org website and their computer was hijacked by this Delta Search malware.

I have been fixing PC's for 15+ years now and I know how to download a program. You can deny what you like, but the truth is the truth weather you chose to admit or deny it.

I should thank you for the extra pay this week!

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Do you have proof that it installs with the mozilla.org installer, Ive never seen such.

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Why am I not surprised... 1000's of complaints and you wipe your hands clean of it..

Thank God i do not use your insecure browser!

But again, keep the faults going, its paying off my house!

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Thousands of complaints where? There are very few people who have responded in the thread. 5 does not equal 1000 so get your facts correct, If it included Delta, no one would use firefox, you still must be going to some bogus site.

Modified by kobe

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Are you serious? Do you even take time to read what people write? Google it... you will find thousands...

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Why dont you provide direct links instead of wasting my time (We work for free, volunteers). May you please show visual evidence that the Firefox installer from mozilla.org includes delta? I see why you want to make me google, is beacuse you are throwing a very false statement out in the open. May you please provide EVIDENCE (not coming from your lies) that mozilla.org s installer includes delta because the years i have been installing firefox onto multiple machines has never installed delta with it.

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These are customers that I have fixed these for, I DO NOT have access to them at a click of a finger. Lies? Go and google it and you will see for yourself.

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These customers called me and paid me to fix your beloved browsers malware issue - Its your brand that is being tainted and I could not care less. I was simply stating that I have seen this, for the first time with Firefox, this past week - Ignore it if you wish, it's your reputation on the line!

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I guess I will ignore your false statements, if you gave more info (like a screencast of firefox install) i would not ignore, you are free to spread as much untruth as you can. I also would say that a third party program (ever heard of Cnet) is interfering.

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Modified by kobe

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I have no need to make false statements about what i have seen this week - As i said, these are CUSTOMERS computers and when I'm fixing these issues, i don't go and take screen shots (have you not heard of photoshop) and gathering reports to prove a statement on some community based support forum.

It is what it is, and I will ignore your biased statements also.. Your ignorance to the issue directly reflects mozilla's brand - and you dont even work for them - WHAT A JOKE!

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Im guessing you dont know what read is, no disrespect but there is no way Firefox installed such from mozilla.org

look at and comprehend the meaning of (written or printed matter) by mentally interpreting the characters or symbols of which it is composed.

Also the last version released was 23.0.1 2 wks age so this "last week" is wrong.

This is my last post as everyone in this thread gets a email notification and this would be considered as spam (people who have seen the light that the mozilla.org installer doesnt install malware) and have entered living their lives.

Modified by kobe

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D4rr3n, you are mistaken. I have downloaded multiple builds of Firefox from the mozilla.org site myself and installed them and verified they contain no bundled Delta software.

I don't have a problem with you reporting what you've "heard" but your customers are sorely mistaken. What I'm sure is happening is that when people do a search for "Firefox" or "Mozilla Firefox" thru Google, they get a bunch of "sponsored results" at the top of the page. These are Google ads that are sold to the highest bidder. They often contain nefarious & malicious programs, offers and scams. These ads are not reviewed. Google should be ashamed of themselves for knowingly promoting & directing users to evil websites that deliver malware and viruses. That is who both of you should be angry at.

moseby, the author of this thread, reported that a certain website was delivering this malware.

Quote:
I'll tell you what. Here is the website where they are using your software to download the delta search spyware. Why don't you report it? This is getting ridiculous.

http://mozilla-firefox.todownload.com/?lp=adwords&gclid=CI-v-POipbcCFWJqMgodbwsAqQ

Notice the url. Read it carefully. Nowhere in the link is mozilla.org mentioned.

The website above and any others we've found to be illegally modifying Firefox to contain such nasty changes are reported to the Mozilla legal department. Where it is up to them to follow thru, have the site shut down and sue the website owner for fraud and malicious activities. This can be a very slow process sometimes and if even if one site is shut down, another can quickly popup.

Unfortunately, people don't know the difference between mozilla.org and any other random site offering the Firefox download. So more people continue to get infected thanks to Google. The "Sponsored Ads" section should be completely removed and Google should issue a public apology to everyone they've infected thru their ridiculous, unmonitored ads program.

Modified by NoahSUMO

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Well put Noah.

My expectation is that Mozilla can not be perfect and there is a very very small possibility it could be hacked and for a short while have a problem that is not immediately noticed. That is possibly more likely to go unnoticed if it affects only some version less often downloaded.

On a balance of probabilities customers seeing this sort of issue are likely to have downloaded from an unofficial site or already have malware on the machine.


D4rr3n
You are in a good position to help-out with this problem, even if only on a "Drop in an Ocean" scale, every little helps, and it is the guys out there in the real world that see problems that Mozilla will not find by itself.

I did suggest you check.
As a computer professional repairing computers you should have no problem

  • Checking it out yourself, on a clean machine and if you find a problem
    • Reporting the exact URL used, the version of Firefox, the machine OS & your locale
  • Installing correct versions from the official site on those computers you are tasked with repairing.

I wonder if one way round restrictions is to offer downloads of the unmodified version of Firefox, then bundle a load of dubious stuff some of which may go about modifying Firefox. See for instance http://www.todownload.com/legal/download-manager/#offers noting also that they do link on their frontpage to Mozilla, and state it is unmodified Firefox they offer.

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The "Owner's" support issue was answered 3 months ago.


The time has come to lock this thread.

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