Ensure that you are not blocking GoStats to begin with. If you are blocking GoStats that would explain why these sites which are using our comprehensive web analytics system are giving you those status messages.

Be sure to disable or edit any blocking you may have in place. For example if you are using a hosts file blocker or similar please ensure that you are not blocking GoStats. This would also explain why you had trouble contacting GoStats - as the GoStats website itself has both customer service information for phone and email. The whois registration info is not for customer service.

I see your question about blocking all legitimate tracking tools for websites. (including the widely used GoStats) - In order to do that as well as blocking all ad networks - which track much more information; you will need to block all images and objects from loading in your browser.

Install add-on Adblock Plus, then when firefox restarts click on the arrow on the right side of the ABP icon and select open blockable items, on the bottom side of browser will be shown list of possible items to block, scroll down until you see "www.google-analytics.com", select it and then right-click it and select "block this item"

That should do the trick, it worked for me.

Thank you and Thank you again for your solution.

I followed your instructions to delete the www.google-analytics.com script but I couldn't find it, nor could I find the troublesome GoStats.com script.

I then tried to load a GoStats.com afflicted web site, which was still blocked, then I toggled the AdBlockPlus icon, then I located both scripts, and blocked them both, and now I can load the previous GoStats.com afflicted pages without any interference by that intrusive spyware.

Now, after weeks of annoyance, I'm a happy surfer again ......

:-)

This is awesome! I've had this problem for a few weeks now and it was starting to wear on me. I even downloaded Chrome but it wouldn't install properly. There was another forum here with the same questions, but I couldn't reply to it?

https://support.mozilla.com/tiki-view_forum_thread.php?forumId=1&comments_threshold=0&comments_parentId=627059&comments_offset=40&comments_per_page=20&thread_style=commentStyle_plain

This is working fantastically!

RainIslandman, I think you have misunderstood the issue. I also think that your anger is misdirected. However, if you don't own a website (I suspect that you don't) then it doesn't matter and hence the underlying issue in inconsequential for you.

If you do care about what the real problem is and how to solve it properly, we'd be happy to help you. However, there is no reason to make false claims about our service. We at GoStats would be happy to educate you on this topic!

I've added the following lines to C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\hosts file and the problem went away:

127.0.0.1 www.googleanalytics.com

127.0.0.1 gostats.com

Try it and report back please.

TTLucian,

From what the rep from GoStats said in his first posting, blocking their domain in the HOSTS file could be what is causing "hung" web page loading problems. AdBlock Plus or NoScript is the best way to deal with blocking those domains.

What?! Do you think I'm kidding or that I have nothing better to do than post b. s. on the mozilla forum?! The "hosts" file really, really worked for me. I promise! Do you have the problem with gostats? Have you tried my solution and it did not work? Maybe you should write about that! The rep from gostats said nothing about the "hosts" file and the domain isn't blocked, only redirected back to localhost. And besides, the gostats rep has every reason to say that (he's paid by the gostats owners).

When I first encountered the GoStats issue blocking my access to some web sites, as reported by FireFox, it seemed to me that it was after I installed one of the FireFox updates, with apparently some new beneficial code to make FireFox more secure.

My initial post to create this forum topic explained my frustration with some web sites being blocked because of the invasive GoStats scripts. My Hosts file was clean, with only some entries that I personally added, and thus not a causal source of the GoStats issue. Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, did not report any hijacks or the like since installed early 2009.

Amending the Hosts file would work, but limitation of that process is that it is a manual and specifically directed procedure. Installing AdBlock Plus eliminated for me then and since then the invasive and previously unknown and stealthy GoStats issue, notwithstanding unhelpful disparaging rants from the GoStats' representative - (Richard Chmura ?).

I appreciate your mentioning NoScript, as I have now installed it after reviewing their data and other third party information. It seems to be very functional, albeit involving more user involvement, which in itself is educational.

A YouTube video entitled "Block scripts in Firefox" is well worth anyone's time to review, found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzBqnLgOzwM

I now agree with your statement that "AdBlock Plus or NoScript is the best way to deal with blocking those domains" albeit there are other ways, and would recommend Firefox users to having both these add-ons installed.

Thank you

Glad to see some progress on this topic. We've been working with some diligent individuals who have provided more information about their experiences on this issue. Here are some findings so far:

• Information we've seen shows that this error occurs on sites where GoStats is not installed.
• Those sites where the error is occurring may or may not be affected in other browsers.
• For most cases, it looks like a hijack of the browser (firefox) or some other problem (plugins possibly) which are causing this issue to happen. (Clean re-installs or a virus scan can help)
• Blocking via the hosts file does not remove this problem - it only keeps it hidden. (Thereby allowing this seemingly malicious situation to stay in your system longer - forever?)

We totally understand the anger here - it is extremely frustrating to have some of these modern hijacks.

So, please try software like Malwarebytes rather than doing a host file block.

Yes... NoScript also works. Tried it and it works! ;) Very useful add-on for firefox!

TTLucian, a quick recap: If you are just using adblock, you still have a serious problem on your computer. Using adblock is like ignoring this problem (and others which you don't see). And we don't know what this problem is actually trying to do or hijack. Please download Malwarebytes.

Obviously and unfortunately GoStats has been targeted by cyber evil-doers. I develop websites and could not even access my own website as well as several others due to this 'hang-up.' While I am not sure as to how defenseless GoStats is to this threat on their reputation, it has entirely nothing to do with them. As the rep has mentioned, you are simply keeping the threat on your computer if you decide to block it. This, however, will keep happening when others come along and the more attempts that are made to avoid them will someday force you to face the bully. Depending on your level of expertise, you will buy a new computer, pay someone, or spend hours trying to clean up the mess. Download the free version of Malwarebyte as he suggested. Although I am a bit conspiracy theory on some of these programs, my laptop is now healthier and browser-happy. The fact GoStats is even on here in the first place trying to offer support should say something about their integrity.

I originated this thread, and for the record, my security utilities include

Full time -

Avast! Pro Antivirus - Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware - Spybot Search and Destroy - ZoneAlarm Firewall - AdBlock Plus (to block GoStats) -

When required -

Peer Block - HijackThis - SandBoxie - SpamKiller - No Script -

Frequently -

Crap Cleaner - EasyCleaner - Error Repair Professional - Registry Crawler - Registry Easy - Windows Registry Cleaner - Windows Registry Repair -

Please advise regarding utilities and tools that I'm not using, but should be used.

In this connection, as I a distinct distaste for re-installing an operating system, I have my still efficiently operating very recently semi-retired P4 computer Windows XP operating system without ever having to be re-installed since I first installed it 2004-02-14.

Hi I had installed BOTH Ad Block Plus and NO Script on FF v. 3.6.13 but all of a sudden they "disappeared from the "Status Bar" I tried Uninstalling them and Reinstalling them" ...to NO avail ... They Still don't show!

They were there and OK last week!

Any thoughts on what I could do to FIX this?

Thanks!