Firefox is Not Responding

[BobH]

Recently I've been plagued by Firefox 53.0.3 going into a non-responsive funk. It happens many times a day. I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling, but that has not cured the problem. I don't recall having installed any add-ons recently, and I've kept current on releases and Win7 updates. I'm at a loss to explain what's going on unless . . . I did install VPN software a month or so ago. It ran for weeks (and continues to do so) with no perceptible problems with Firefox, although I have noticed a tiny bit of response delay. The delay is a small price to pay for being a bit more private on line.

Has anyone else experienced anything thing like this? Might the problem be the VPN software?

[HansV]

I haven't experienced problems with Firefox. What happens if you try another browser - does it behave the same?

[BobH]

Coming to you via Chrome ...

A few minutes after making the op I got a new tab with ZeuS virus threatening to steal my banking data (none of which is on the computer), my passwords (which I can easily change), and delete my files if I didn't call and pay a ransom. It warned not to close the app or those nasties would happen. It also displayed some pretty raw porn.

I started Chrome and looked up Zeus which told me to run a Kapersky program, RKill, and MalwareBytes antimalware, which I did. Neither Kapersky nor RKill found anything and MalwareBytes only found some pup files.

From further reading, I learned that ZeuS is only harmful if you called the alleged Microsoft number which I did not do. I couldn't tell from the pup file names if one of them caused the problem; and since none of the protection programs turned up a rootkit or other malware, I'm going to assume for now that the problem is resolved. I will load Firefox again to see if it continues to cause problems.

And, in answer to your question, Hans, Chrome is not exhibiting the same behavior as Firefox has been for more than an week now. I presume that it is also communicating via the VPN, but have not yet checked the IP address seen by the world to see if it is different from the one my ISP uses.

Thanks for the response.

[HansV]

Since the problem occurs in two different browsers, it doesn't seem to be caused by either of those browsers, but by your internet connection or by the VPN software.
Does the problem persist if you (temporarily) stop using the VPN?

[Roderunner]

Hi BobH, this is what I was told to try when mine went poorly. http://kb.mozillazine.org/Creating_a_ne ... on_Windows" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[BobH]

Thanks, Hans!

I have had no problems with Chrome, nor have I had any with Firefox since clearing the ZeuS virus. If the problem - or ZeuS - returns, I'll post in this thread.

[BobH]

Cheers, George!

My problem might very well be in the Profile. If the problem returns, I'll give your suggestion a try.

[Roderunner]

Cheers, George!

My problem might very well be in the Profile. If the problem returns, I'll give your suggestion a try.

I solved my FF problem

Spoiler

with RevoUninstaller

and installed G Chrome but still use FF portable as it is more secure for sensitive sites.