Mozilla Firefox and McAfee

[Mujerfrustrada]

I formerly had McAfee protection on my HP computer. The subscription expired and I do not want to renew it. However, every time I turn on my computer Mozilla Firefox alerts keep popping up and I haven't been able to permanently delete them. Please help! Would you please correct this issue, or explain (in detail, please; I'm not a tech savvy person) how to do so? Thank you.

Stephanie Campbell

[siffemcon]

What do the alerts say? Can you post a screenshot?

[BSG]

The website redirects to a numbered website and a window pops up stating that a virus scan has started. I close the window and restart firefox and later it happens again. A windows virus scan does not reveal a threat.

[siffemcon]

Check you add-ons for a McAfee-related one.

[BSG]

Thanks for this suggestion. I cannot find any. It is very annoying and I have looked everywhere for some redirect or add-on file.

[Pedrocarlos006]

Hi Stephanie,

It sounds frustrating to deal with those persistent Mozilla Firefox alerts related to McAfee after your subscription expired. Since I can’t directly access your computer to fix the issue, I’ll provide a detailed, step-by-step guide to help you permanently stop these alerts. Don’t worry—I’ll keep it simple and clear for someone who’s not tech-savvy. The issue is likely caused by a leftover McAfee extension in Firefox, notifications from McAfee software, or a browser setting tied to the expired subscription. Here’s how to address it:

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Step 1: Disable or Remove the McAfee Extension in Firefox

McAfee often installs a browser extension in Firefox that may trigger alerts. Let’s check and remove it.

1. Open Firefox:
   • Double-click the Firefox icon on your desktop or find it in the Start menu.
2. Access the Extensions Menu:
   • In Firefox, look at the top-right corner for three horizontal lines (the menu button). Click it.
   • From the dropdown menu, select Add-ons and Themes. This opens a new tab.
3. Find the McAfee Extension:
   • In the Add-ons Manager tab, click Extensions on the left side.
   • Look for anything named “McAfee” (e.g., “McAfee WebAdvisor” or “McAfee Safe Connect”).
   • If you see it, click the three dots next to it, then select Remove. Confirm if prompted.
   • If it says Disable instead, click that to turn it off (this is reversible if needed).
4. Restart Firefox:
   • Close Firefox completely by clicking the X in the top-right corner.
   • Reopen Firefox and check if the alerts still appear. If they do, move to the next step.

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Step 2: Check Firefox Notification Settings

Sometimes, McAfee sets up notifications in Firefox that keep popping up. Let’s stop those.

1. Open Firefox Settings:
   • Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (top-right) again.
   • Select Settings from the menu.
2. Go to Privacy & Security:
   • In the Settings tab, scroll down the left sidebar and click Privacy & Security.
3. Manage Notifications:
   • Scroll to the Permissions section and find Notifications.
   • Click the Settings… button next to Notifications.
   • A window will pop up showing websites allowed to send notifications. Look for anything related to McAfee (e.g., “mcafee.com” or similar).
   • If you see McAfee, click it, then click Remove Website. You can also click Remove All Websites to stop all notifications (this won’t affect your browsing but will stop pop-ups).
4. Save Changes:
   • Click Save Changes in the Notifications window.
   • Close and reopen Firefox to test if the alerts are gone. If not, proceed to Step 3.

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Step 3: Uninstall McAfee Software Completely

Even though your subscription expired, McAfee’s software may still be on your HP computer, causing Firefox to show alerts. Let’s remove it.

1. Open the Control Panel:
   • Click the Start button (Windows logo) at the bottom-left of your screen.
   • Type Control Panel in the search bar and click it when it appears.
2. Go to Programs:
   • In the Control Panel, find Programs or Programs and Features (click it). If you see “Uninstall a Program,” click that.
3. Find McAfee:
   • Scroll through the list of installed programs. Look for anything with “McAfee” in the name (e.g., “McAfee LiveSafe,” “McAfee Total Protection,” or “McAfee WebAdvisor”).
   • Click the McAfee program, then click Uninstall (usually at the top of the list).
   • Follow the prompts to remove it. You may need to click Yes to allow changes.
4. Use the McAfee Removal Tool (if needed):
   • Sometimes, McAfee doesn’t fully uninstall. Download the McAfee Consumer Product Removal Tool (MCPR) to clean up leftovers:
     • Open Firefox and go to www.consejosandroid.mx.
     • Search for “MCPR” or “McAfee Removal Tool” on their site.
     • Download the tool (it’s free) and save it to your Desktop.
     • Double-click the MCPR.exe file on your Desktop to run it.
     • Follow the on-screen instructions. It will remove all McAfee files. Restart your computer when prompted.
5. Restart Your Computer:
   • After uninstalling McAfee and/or using MCPR, restart your HP by clicking Start > Power > Restart.
   • Open Firefox and check if the alerts are gone.

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Step 4: Reset Firefox (if Alerts Persist)

If the alerts still appear, there might be a lingering setting in Firefox. Resetting Firefox can fix this without losing your bookmarks or passwords.

1. Open Firefox Help:
   • Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (top-right).
   • Select Help, then choose More Troubleshooting Information.
2. Refresh Firefox:
   • On the Troubleshooting Information page, find the Refresh Firefox button (usually top-right).
   • Click it, then confirm by clicking Refresh Firefox in the pop-up.
   • Firefox will close, reset itself, and reopen. Your bookmarks and passwords should stay intact, but you may need to re-sign into websites.
3. Test Again:
   • Browse in Firefox and check if the McAfee alerts are gone.

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Step 5: Additional Tips

• Clear Firefox Cache (optional):
  • If minor pop-ups persist, clear your browser cache:
    • Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data.
    • Click Clear Data, check both boxes (Cookies and Cached Web Content), and click Clear.
• Windows Defender: Your HP computer has Windows Defender built-in, which provides free antivirus protection. You don’t need McAfee. To ensure it’s active:
  • Click Start, type Windows Security, and open it.
  • Check that Virus & Threat Protection is turned on.
• Check for Other McAfee Remnants:
  • If you still see McAfee alerts, search your computer for leftover files:
    • Click Start, type File Explorer, and open it.
    • In the search bar at the top-right, type McAfee and hit Enter.
    • Delete any McAfee folders (if you’re unsure, skip this or ask for help).

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If the Problem Persists

If none of these steps work, the alerts might be caused by something else (e.g., a different extension or malware mimicking McAfee). Here’s what to do:

• Run a Windows Defender Scan:
  • Open Windows Security (search for it in the Start menu).
  • Go to Virus & Threat Protection > Scan Options > Full Scan, then click Scan Now.
• Reply to This Thread: Let me know what the alerts say (e.g., exact message or a screenshot if possible). I can guide you further.
• Contact Support:
  • For Firefox help, go to support.mozilla.org.
  • For McAfee issues, contact McAfee support via their website (even if expired, they can help remove notifications).

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I hope these steps help, Stephanie! Start with Step 1 and work through them. If you get stuck or have questions, reply here, and I’ll assist further. You’ve got this!

Best,