Windows 10: Spybot

Exactly!*Smile

And it is IMPOSSIBLE if the installer was downloaded from Mozilla.org.
If it was obtained somewhere else, then "all bets are off".

MM

 

I agree with @DustSailor. You cannot get malware from Firefox directly, they are a reputable company who have been in the business a long time. You may get malware indirectly which may appear to the novice that it has come from Firefox.

Also of concern is your reasoning for ditching CCleaner. Ccleaner will not mess with passwords, it may sometimes remove valid cookies but doesn't interfere with passwords directly. A word of caution with CCleaner is you should go through all its scanning checkmarks and untick those you don't want removing. When you first install CCleaner it gives you the option to use its smart cookie scanner, I would advise against using that.

I would not rely on one program alone to test how secure your system is. Try our Malwarebytes, SuperAntiSpyware and others. These need not necessarily run in the background but can be used as second opinion scanners.

You may also want to subscribe to a few security software reviewers on Youtube. The PC Security Channel and Malware Doctor are just two that come to mind. As PC Security Channel says, "stay informed, stay secure".

Also, be wary of where you download your programs from, only get them from places with good reputation or directly from the developer.

 

CCleaner removes saved passwords, when cookies are removed.
CCleaner removes stored passwords in a browser.
CCleaner even removes a saved wifi password.

As for Spybot, it is better to ditch it for something else. Using Spybot is like using XP these days.

 

Yes I know that, I never implied otherwise. What I was alluding to was that ccleaner would not mess with passwords themselves but can do so by removing the cookie.

 

so many experts so many answers, so many opinions. I know what I know at my end. Leave it be .......................................

I am now going to download FF from mozilla, then scan, lets see what happens.

 

Actually, we're all trying to explain the same thing.*Smile

If you don't UNINSTALL Firefox AND delete your existing PROFILE first, the results will be the same.
The files you're seeing may well be in your profile folder.
So, upgrading the program itself (either on top or even a clean reinstall) will NOT affect your profile, where the bad stuff probably lurks.
IOW, deleting the program will not remove any crap that is located in the profile.
One would need to remove the profile (or at least start with a new, fresh, naked Firefox profile) AND perform a cleanup of the PUPs and junkware with suitable, specialized malware removal tools, in order to be fully rid of that stuff.

Cheers,

MM

 

Sorry, have someone elses prob sorting out at same time, but fixed that now. I deleted all FF info when I uninstalled it. MWB found nothing, but spybot not now installed. Scan was negative via MWB, I must admit. To repeat earlier post, I downloaded FF from mozilla, always do. Updates are auto however, and thats where it went odd ..........................................

 

thanks to all for this discussion. I am going to have a good re-read again soon. Appreciated all.