Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

arrow moving after load webpage, malicious software

  • 15 replies
  • 49 have this problem
  • 10 views
  • Last reply by jMac

more options

I have some sort of malware trying to send me to what MalwareBytes says are malicious sites. I'm working on that, but haven't been able to fix it. But my question is: a few days ago, after I load a webpage, the big download arrow moves up to the small arrow in the upper right, as if it is downloading something. Does that indicate that it has finished downloading that page, or is it something malicious?

I'm using the latest version for Firefox.

I have some sort of malware trying to send me to what MalwareBytes says are malicious sites. I'm working on that, but haven't been able to fix it. But my question is: a few days ago, after I load a webpage, the big download arrow moves up to the small arrow in the upper right, as if it is downloading something. Does that indicate that it has finished downloading that page, or is it something malicious? I'm using the latest version for Firefox.

Chosen solution

No, it does it in Safe Mode too. Earlier I changed all add-ons to "ask before starting".

It only does it on the first website I go to, unless I'm fast enough to go to another one in about 3 seconds - then it does it on that one. It does it once, 5 seconds or so after I start Firefox, regardless of the website.

And many thanks to all of you who are helping! I appreciate it.

Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (15)

more options

Did you see if was download anything?

An Idea: Some software during the install process there are some options to install other addons, and when the installations finish they try download that addons, can be it or yes can be malwares too.

Try scan your PC:

more options

I have downloads I start going to a download folder, and there is nothing there. I've done scans with MalwareBytes, Windows Defender, Microsoft Safety Scanner, and MS Malware Removal Tool, but none of them find the problem. In Firefox, when I go most websites, either MalwareBytes says that it blocked two malicious sites or I can see it trying to connect to something else. The last thing happens in IE too. Also, very suspicious popups appear telling me about browser extensions or tp speed up my connection.

more options

Hmm try use a pop up/ads block, this popup are ads

Modified by Diego Victor

more options

I had already run MalwareBytes and MS Safety Scanner. I ran SuperAntispyware and that found some more stuff - one was critical. I had it remove everything it found. So far, that seemed to fix the attempts to go to other websites. I still have the problem with the popups and the strange thing about the download arrow.

more options

And I'm still going through the other possible solutions, thanks.

...later

TDSSKiller didn't find anything. ADWCleaner found a lot of stuff, but didn't fix the problem.

AddBlock Plus seems to have fixed the popup problem.

I still have the suspicious download arrow symptom. (but only on some websites now. This page is one that has the suspicious download arrow.)

Modified by jMac

more options

Hi Judson, I don't understand what you mean about the download arrow toolbar button moving to a different location. Is it possible to capture a screen shot showing where it ends up and what it looks like there? This article has tips on that: How do I create a screenshot of my problem?

more options

OK, I did a screenshot and cropped it. A couple of seconds after a webpage seems to have finished loading, the big arrow moves across the screen, as it does when I start a download. However, I haven't started a download. It moves to the upper right, where the small download indicator arrow is, as it does with a legitimate download.

more options

Sometimes a problem with Firefox may be a result of malware installed on your computer, that you may not be aware of.

You can try these free programs to scan for malware, which work with your existing antivirus software:

Microsoft Security Essentials is a good permanent antivirus for Windows 7/Vista/XP if you don't already have one.

Further information can be found in the Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware article.

Did this fix your problems? Please report back to us!

more options

I haven't tried Hitman Pro or ESET - I will. Thanks.

more options

Try to disable hardware acceleration in Firefox (you need to close and restart Firefox).

more options

Hardware acceleration was already off. And the download arrow thing happens in Safe Mode too. Sometimes it is gray and sometimes green.

Modified by jMac

more options

Any chance that one of your add-ons creates this unusual display? To bypass extensions, you can try visiting the same pages in Firefox's Safe Mode.

You can restart Firefox in Safe Mode using

Help > Restart with Add-ons Disabled (Flash and other plugins still run)

In the dialog, click "Start in Safe Mode" (not Reset)

Any change?

more options

Chosen Solution

No, it does it in Safe Mode too. Earlier I changed all add-ons to "ask before starting".

It only does it on the first website I go to, unless I'm fast enough to go to another one in about 3 seconds - then it does it on that one. It does it once, 5 seconds or so after I start Firefox, regardless of the website.

And many thanks to all of you who are helping! I appreciate it.

Modified by jMac

more options

You can check for problems with the sessionstore.js and sessionstore.bak files in the Firefox profile folder that store session data.

Rename (or delete) the sessionstore.js file and possible sessionstore-##.js files with a number and sessionstore.bak in the Firefox profile folder.

Deleting sessionstore.js will cause App Tabs and Tab Groups and open and closed (undo) tabs to get lost and you will have to recreate them (make a note or bookmark them if possible).

more options

That didn't fix the suspicious arrow. BTW, it starts about 8 seconds after starting Firefox, not 5.