From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.firefox

Using Windows 10. Yesterday, when I clicked on a link in an email, I was taken to the Windows "User
Account Control" pop-up that said "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?
Firefox Software Updater. Verified publisher: Mozilla Corporation. File origin: Hard drive on this
computer."

I clicked "No" and Firefox opened and operated as usual. The same thing now happens whenever I open
Firefox, whether through a link or by clicking on its icon. (At the same time, I'm no longer getting
the constant update pop-ups within Firefox.)

I haven't updated Firefox in a long time. I checked About Firefox, and it shows that I could update
to 128.14.0 (64 bit) esr--but it doesn't say what release I'm currently using.

Is the Windows pop-up malware, or is it Firefox's new way of convincing me to update?
--
Thank you,
Jo-Anne
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.firefox

On Sun, 29 Mar 2026 11:28:11 -0500, Jo-Anne <Jo-Anne@nowhere.com>
wrote:

Using Windows 10. Yesterday, when I clicked on a link in an email, I was taken to the Windows "User
Account Control" pop-up that said "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?
Firefox Software Updater. Verified publisher: Mozilla Corporation. File origin: Hard drive on this
computer."

I clicked "No" and Firefox opened and operated as usual. The same thing now happens whenever I open
Firefox, whether through a link or by clicking on its icon. (At the same time, I'm no longer getting
the constant update pop-ups within Firefox.)

I haven't updated Firefox in a long time. I checked About Firefox, and it shows that I could update
to 128.14.0 (64 bit) esr--but it doesn't say what release I'm currently using.

Is the Windows pop-up malware, or is it Firefox's new way of convincing me to update?

From my long experience, that's the usual nag when Tools > Settings >
General > Updates radio button is set to "Check for updates but let
you choose to install them".
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.firefox

On 3/29/2026 12:00 PM, Nobody wrote:

On Sun, 29 Mar 2026 11:28:11 -0500, Jo-Anne <Jo-Anne@nowhere.com>
wrote:

Using Windows 10. Yesterday, when I clicked on a link in an email, I was taken to the Windows "User
Account Control" pop-up that said "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?
Firefox Software Updater. Verified publisher: Mozilla Corporation. File origin: Hard drive on this
computer."

I clicked "No" and Firefox opened and operated as usual. The same thing now happens whenever I open
Firefox, whether through a link or by clicking on its icon. (At the same time, I'm no longer getting
the constant update pop-ups within Firefox.)

I haven't updated Firefox in a long time. I checked About Firefox, and it shows that I could update
to 128.14.0 (64 bit) esr--but it doesn't say what release I'm currently using.

Is the Windows pop-up malware, or is it Firefox's new way of convincing me to update?

From my long experience, that's the usual nag when Tools > Settings > General > Updates radio button is set to "Check for updates but let
you choose to install them".

I've never gotten that before. What normally shows up is a small pop-up in the upper right-hand
corner of the Firefox webpages. This is a Windows pop-up on a gray background before Firefox opens.

--
Jo-Anne
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.firefox

On 3/29/26 12:28 PM, Jo-Anne wrote:

Using Windows 10. Yesterday, when I clicked on a link in an email, I was taken to the Windows "User
Account Control" pop-up that said "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?
Firefox Software Updater. Verified publisher: Mozilla Corporation. File origin: Hard drive on this
computer."

My experience is to say yes. I always thought this was the small update manager that
firefox installs to check for updates. I don't remember what it looks like any longer as
I have a utility that tells me when firefox can be updated and I manually go to
settings->help and do it myself.
--
Linux Mint 22.3, Mozilla Thunderbird 140.8.1esr, Mozilla Firefox 148.0.2
Alan K.
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.firefox

On Sun, 29 Mar 2026 12:14:41 -0500, Jo-Anne <Jo-Anne@nowhere.com>
wrote:

On 3/29/2026 12:00 PM, Nobody wrote:

On Sun, 29 Mar 2026 11:28:11 -0500, Jo-Anne <Jo-Anne@nowhere.com>
wrote:

Using Windows 10. Yesterday, when I clicked on a link in an email, I was taken to the Windows "User
Account Control" pop-up that said "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?
Firefox Software Updater. Verified publisher: Mozilla Corporation. File origin: Hard drive on this
computer."

I clicked "No" and Firefox opened and operated as usual. The same thing now happens whenever I open
Firefox, whether through a link or by clicking on its icon. (At the same time, I'm no longer getting
the constant update pop-ups within Firefox.)

I haven't updated Firefox in a long time. I checked About Firefox, and it shows that I could update
to 128.14.0 (64 bit) esr--but it doesn't say what release I'm currently using.

Is the Windows pop-up malware, or is it Firefox's new way of convincing me to update?

From my long experience, that's the usual nag when Tools > Settings >
General > Updates radio button is set to "Check for updates but let
you choose to install them".

I've never gotten that before. What normally shows up is a small pop-up in the upper right-hand
corner of the Firefox webpages. This is a Windows pop-up on a gray background before Firefox opens.

Yeah... and Win 10 is following up for your permission as well.
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.firefox

On 03/29/2026 1:14 PM, Jo-Anne wrote:

On 3/29/2026 12:00 PM, Nobody wrote:

On Sun, 29 Mar 2026 11:28:11 -0500, Jo-Anne <Jo-Anne@nowhere.com>
wrote:

Using Windows 10. Yesterday, when I clicked on a link in an email, I
was taken to the Windows "User
Account Control" pop-up that said "Do you want to allow this app to
make changes to your device?
Firefox Software Updater. Verified publisher: Mozilla Corporation.
File origin: Hard drive on this
computer."

I clicked "No" and Firefox opened and operated as usual. The same
thing now happens whenever I open
Firefox, whether through a link or by clicking on its icon. (At the
same time, I'm no longer getting
the constant update pop-ups within Firefox.)

I haven't updated Firefox in a long time. I checked About Firefox,
and it shows that I could update
to 128.14.0 (64 bit) esr--but it doesn't say what release I'm
currently using.

Is the Windows pop-up malware, or is it Firefox's new way of
convincing me to update?

-aFrom my long experience, that's the usual nag when Tools > Settings >
General > Updates radio button is set to "Check for updates but let
you choose to install them".

I've never gotten that before. What normally shows up is a small pop-up
in the upper right-hand corner of the Firefox webpages. This is a
Windows pop-up on a gray background before Firefox opens.

--
Jo-Anne

It is as said above. HOWEVER, just to be safe, I click no and then go
to Help, About Firefox or Thunderbird, and install the update from there.

Paranoid Yes, but it takes only a little longer to know that it is not a
phony Foxfire update window.
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.firefox

On 3/29/2026 1:14 PM, knuttle wrote:

On 03/29/2026 1:14 PM, Jo-Anne wrote:

On 3/29/2026 12:00 PM, Nobody wrote:

On Sun, 29 Mar 2026 11:28:11 -0500, Jo-Anne <Jo-Anne@nowhere.com>
wrote:

Using Windows 10. Yesterday, when I clicked on a link in an email, I was taken to the Windows "User
Account Control" pop-up that said "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?
Firefox Software Updater. Verified publisher: Mozilla Corporation. File origin: Hard drive on this
computer."

I clicked "No" and Firefox opened and operated as usual. The same thing now happens whenever I open
Firefox, whether through a link or by clicking on its icon. (At the same time, I'm no longer
getting
the constant update pop-ups within Firefox.)

I haven't updated Firefox in a long time. I checked About Firefox, and it shows that I could update
to 128.14.0 (64 bit) esr--but it doesn't say what release I'm currently using.

Is the Windows pop-up malware, or is it Firefox's new way of convincing me to update?

-aFrom my long experience, that's the usual nag when Tools > Settings >
General > Updates radio button is set to "Check for updates but let
you choose to install them".

I've never gotten that before. What normally shows up is a small pop-up in the upper right-hand
corner of the Firefox webpages. This is a Windows pop-up on a gray background before Firefox opens.

--
Jo-Anne

It is as said above.-a HOWEVER, just to be safe, I click no and then go to Help, About Firefox or
Thunderbird, and install the update from there.

Paranoid Yes, but it takes only a little longer to know that it is not a phony Foxfire update window.

But I've never gotten a Windows pop-up before. And why would it show up when I click on a link in an
email?
--
Jo-Anne
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.firefox

On Sun, 29 Mar 2026 11:28:11 -0500, Jo-Anne wrote:

Using Windows 10. Yesterday, when I clicked on a link in an email, I was taken to the Windows "User
Account Control" pop-up that said "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?
Firefox Software Updater. Verified publisher: Mozilla Corporation. File origin: Hard drive on this
computer."

I clicked "No" and Firefox opened and operated as usual. The same thing now happens whenever I open
Firefox, whether through a link or by clicking on its icon. (At the same time, I'm no longer getting
the constant update pop-ups within Firefox.)

I haven't updated Firefox in a long time. I checked About Firefox, and it shows that I could update
to 128.14.0 (64 bit) esr--but it doesn't say what release I'm currently using.

Is the Windows pop-up malware, or is it Firefox's new way of convincing me to update?

You have a malware which uses web browsers as a trusted mean to get higher security level.
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.firefox

On Sun, 29 Mar 2026 16:24:33 -0500, Jo-Anne <Jo-Anne@nowhere.com>
wrote:

On 3/29/2026 1:14 PM, knuttle wrote:

On 03/29/2026 1:14 PM, Jo-Anne wrote:

On 3/29/2026 12:00 PM, Nobody wrote:

On Sun, 29 Mar 2026 11:28:11 -0500, Jo-Anne <Jo-Anne@nowhere.com>
wrote:

Using Windows 10. Yesterday, when I clicked on a link in an email, I was taken to the Windows "User
Account Control" pop-up that said "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?
Firefox Software Updater. Verified publisher: Mozilla Corporation. File origin: Hard drive on this
computer."

I clicked "No" and Firefox opened and operated as usual. The same thing now happens whenever I open
Firefox, whether through a link or by clicking on its icon. (At the same time, I'm no longer
getting
the constant update pop-ups within Firefox.)

I haven't updated Firefox in a long time. I checked About Firefox, and it shows that I could update
to 128.14.0 (64 bit) esr--but it doesn't say what release I'm currently using.

Is the Windows pop-up malware, or is it Firefox's new way of convincing me to update?

-aFrom my long experience, that's the usual nag when Tools > Settings > >>>> General > Updates radio button is set to "Check for updates but let
you choose to install them".

I've never gotten that before. What normally shows up is a small pop-up in the upper right-hand
corner of the Firefox webpages. This is a Windows pop-up on a gray background before Firefox opens.

--
Jo-Anne

It is as said above.-a HOWEVER, just to be safe, I click no and then go to Help, About Firefox or
Thunderbird, and install the update from there.

Paranoid Yes, but it takes only a little longer to know that it is not a phony Foxfire update window.

But I've never gotten a Windows pop-up before. And why would it show up when I click on a link in an
email?

Have you double-checked that Firefox hasn't changed the tools >
Settings > General > Firefox Updates radio-button selection?
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.firefox

On 3/29/2026 7:14 PM, Nobody wrote:

On Sun, 29 Mar 2026 16:24:33 -0500, Jo-Anne <Jo-Anne@nowhere.com>
wrote:

On 3/29/2026 1:14 PM, knuttle wrote:

On 03/29/2026 1:14 PM, Jo-Anne wrote:

On 3/29/2026 12:00 PM, Nobody wrote:

On Sun, 29 Mar 2026 11:28:11 -0500, Jo-Anne <Jo-Anne@nowhere.com>
wrote:

Using Windows 10. Yesterday, when I clicked on a link in an email, I was taken to the Windows "User
Account Control" pop-up that said "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?
Firefox Software Updater. Verified publisher: Mozilla Corporation. File origin: Hard drive on this
computer."

I clicked "No" and Firefox opened and operated as usual. The same thing now happens whenever I open
Firefox, whether through a link or by clicking on its icon. (At the same time, I'm no longer
getting
the constant update pop-ups within Firefox.)

I haven't updated Firefox in a long time. I checked About Firefox, and it shows that I could update
to 128.14.0 (64 bit) esr--but it doesn't say what release I'm currently using.

Is the Windows pop-up malware, or is it Firefox's new way of convincing me to update?

-aFrom my long experience, that's the usual nag when Tools > Settings > >>>>> General > Updates radio button is set to "Check for updates but let
you choose to install them".

I've never gotten that before. What normally shows up is a small pop-up in the upper right-hand
corner of the Firefox webpages. This is a Windows pop-up on a gray background before Firefox opens.

--
Jo-Anne

It is as said above.-a HOWEVER, just to be safe, I click no and then go to Help, About Firefox or
Thunderbird, and install the update from there.

Paranoid Yes, but it takes only a little longer to know that it is not a phony Foxfire update window.

But I've never gotten a Windows pop-up before. And why would it show up when I click on a link in an
email?

Have you double-checked that Firefox hasn't changed the tools >
Settings > General > Firefox Updates radio-button selection?

No changes there.
--
Jo-Anne
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.firefox

On Sun, 29 Mar 2026 12:14:41 -0500, Jo-Anne <Jo-Anne@nowhere.com>
wrote:

On 3/29/2026 12:00 PM, Nobody wrote:

On Sun, 29 Mar 2026 11:28:11 -0500, Jo-Anne <Jo-Anne@nowhere.com>
wrote:

Using Windows 10. Yesterday, when I clicked on a link in an email, I was taken to the Windows "User
Account Control" pop-up that said "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?
Firefox Software Updater. Verified publisher: Mozilla Corporation. File origin: Hard drive on this
computer."

I clicked "No" and Firefox opened and operated as usual. The same thing now happens whenever I open
Firefox, whether through a link or by clicking on its icon. (At the same time, I'm no longer getting
the constant update pop-ups within Firefox.)

I haven't updated Firefox in a long time. I checked About Firefox, and it shows that I could update
to 128.14.0 (64 bit) esr--but it doesn't say what release I'm currently using.

Is the Windows pop-up malware, or is it Firefox's new way of convincing me to update?

From my long experience, that's the usual nag when Tools > Settings >
General > Updates radio button is set to "Check for updates but let
you choose to install them".

I've never gotten that before. What normally shows up is a small pop-up in the upper right-hand
corner of the Firefox webpages.

Yeah, I get those, too.

Mozzy does not seem to have grasped the idea of letting us tell FF to
*NOT* bug us with "update" warnings. Their corporate arrogance is such
that they think we *must* want to know each and every time they change
anything so they don't provide a "Turn Update Warnings The Hell OFF!"
switch. ;)

This is a Windows pop-up on a gray background before Firefox opens.

It might be worthwhile to go into Settings/U.A.C. and fiddling about
with some buttons sand sliders. There could be a "don't prompt me
about this damned nuisance ever again" button.

Probably not but it's worth a try.

Good luck,
J.
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.firefox

On Sun, 29 Mar 2026 19:37:46 -0500, Jo-Anne <Jo-Anne@nowhere.com>
wrote:

On 3/29/2026 7:14 PM, Nobody wrote:

On Sun, 29 Mar 2026 16:24:33 -0500, Jo-Anne <Jo-Anne@nowhere.com>
wrote:

On 3/29/2026 1:14 PM, knuttle wrote:

On 03/29/2026 1:14 PM, Jo-Anne wrote:

On 3/29/2026 12:00 PM, Nobody wrote:

On Sun, 29 Mar 2026 11:28:11 -0500, Jo-Anne <Jo-Anne@nowhere.com>
wrote:

Using Windows 10. Yesterday, when I clicked on a link in an email, I was taken to the Windows "User
Account Control" pop-up that said "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?
Firefox Software Updater. Verified publisher: Mozilla Corporation. File origin: Hard drive on this
computer."

I clicked "No" and Firefox opened and operated as usual. The same thing now happens whenever I open
Firefox, whether through a link or by clicking on its icon. (At the same time, I'm no longer
getting
the constant update pop-ups within Firefox.)

I haven't updated Firefox in a long time. I checked About Firefox, and it shows that I could update
to 128.14.0 (64 bit) esr--but it doesn't say what release I'm currently using.

Is the Windows pop-up malware, or is it Firefox's new way of convincing me to update?

aFrom my long experience, that's the usual nag when Tools > Settings > >>>>>> General > Updates radio button is set to "Check for updates but let >>>>>> you choose to install them".

I've never gotten that before. What normally shows up is a small pop-up in the upper right-hand
corner of the Firefox webpages. This is a Windows pop-up on a gray background before Firefox opens.

--
Jo-Anne

It is as said above.a HOWEVER, just to be safe, I click no and then go to Help, About Firefox or
Thunderbird, and install the update from there.

Paranoid Yes, but it takes only a little longer to know that it is not a phony Foxfire update window.

But I've never gotten a Windows pop-up before. And why would it show up when I click on a link in an
email?

Have you double-checked that Firefox hasn't changed the tools >
Settings > General > Firefox Updates radio-button selection?

No changes there.

It is possible, unlikely but possible, that the email linkie has an
"I've given permission for FF to accept new updates" flag in the
script or macro or whatever it links to. You may have given FF
permission to update and Windows is asking you if you are really,
really sure that you wish to do this.

Mozilla want everyone to update everything all of the time. They seem
to think it's a "security" thing. Which it sometimes is.

J.
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.firefox

John wrote:

On Sun, 29 Mar 2026 12:14:41 -0500, Jo-Anne <Jo-Anne@nowhere.com>

I've never gotten that before. What normally shows up is a small pop-up in the upper right-hand
corner of the Firefox webpages.

Mozzy does not seem to have grasped the idea of letting us tell FF to
*NOT* bug us with "update" warnings. Their corporate arrogance is such
that they think we *must* want to know each and every time they change anything so they don't provide a "Turn Update Warnings The Hell OFF!"
switch. ;)

Under every OS you can set a policy for Firefox not to update at all
or to inform you about updates.
But then of course you have to watch out yourself for new versions.
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.firefox

On Tue, 31 Mar 2026 07:29:10 +0100, John wrote:

Mozzy does not seem to have grasped the idea of letting us tell FF
to *NOT* bug us with "update" warnings. Their corporate arrogance is
such that they think we *must* want to know each and every time they
change anything so they don't provide a "Turn Update Warnings The
Hell OFF!" switch. ;)

If only Microsoft provided a Linux-style systemwide update mechanism,
so every single third-party app developer didnrCOt have to reinvent
their own ...
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.software.firefox

On 3/29/2026 11:28 AM, Jo-Anne wrote:

Using Windows 10. Yesterday, when I clicked on a link in an email, I was taken to the Windows "User
Account Control" pop-up that said "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?
Firefox Software Updater. Verified publisher: Mozilla Corporation. File origin: Hard drive on this
computer."

I clicked "No" and Firefox opened and operated as usual. The same thing now happens whenever I open
Firefox, whether through a link or by clicking on its icon. (At the same time, I'm no longer getting
the constant update pop-ups within Firefox.)

I haven't updated Firefox in a long time. I checked About Firefox, and it shows that I could update
to 128.14.0 (64 bit) esr--but it doesn't say what release I'm currently using.

Is the Windows pop-up malware, or is it Firefox's new way of convincing me to update?

Thank you, everyone. I did finally update within Firefox, and the Microsoft pop-up disappeared. I've
used Firefox for many years, and this is the first time I've seen that behavior.
--
Jo-Anne
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2