Where did you install Firefox from? Help Mozilla uncover 3rd party websites that offer problematic Firefox installation by taking part in our campaign. There will be swag, and you'll be featured in our blog if you manage to report at least 10 valid reports!

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

How can I get Firefox to stop saying a download has a virus when it doesn't

  • 6 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 3 views
  • Last reply by FredMcD

more options

I post zipped files of embroidery designs with instructions and Firefox is saying that there is a virus in them. There absolutely isn't. Since I'm dealing with many older ladies this is really scary to them. How can I get Firefox to stop the false positive?

I post zipped files of embroidery designs with instructions and Firefox is saying that there is a virus in them. There absolutely isn't. Since I'm dealing with many older ladies this is really scary to them. How can I get Firefox to stop the false positive?

All Replies (6)

more options

This usually is a problem with the reputation of the website where you posted the zip file. If the site has been used to distribute malware, it may be added to a list of malware distribution sites that Firefox uses to flag downloads. You can check the URL of the download on this page for more information:

https://www.google.com/transparencyreport/safebrowsing/diagnostic/index.html

more options

I used your link and it says: Current status: Not dangerous

Safe Browsing has not recently seen malicious content on groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups.

This is a group for machine embroidery. Is it possible that Firefox is seeing the embroidery formats in the zipped file and thinks one of them is a virus?

more options

Firefox doesn't include any code to scan inside zip files. Your security software and security add-ons would be responsible for that.

If Safe Browsing cleared the full URL of the downloaded file -- you can copy a download URL from the downloads panel or downloads list by right-clicking the download and choosing Copy Download Link -- then Firefox may be using an older version of the list. It usually is updated every few hours.

more options

Separate Issue: Update your Flash Player Note: Windows users should download the active_x for Internet Explorer. and the plugin for Plugin-based browsers (like Firefox).

Note: Windows 8 and Windows 10 have built-in flash players and Adobe will cause a conflict. Install the plugin only. Not the active_x.

Flash Player Version: 23.0.0. 207 Flash Player (Linux) Version 11.2. 202.644

https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/ Direct link scans current system and browser Note: Other software is offered in the download. <Windows Only>

https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/otherversions/ Step 1: Select Operating System Step 2: Select A Version (Firefox, Win IE . . . .) Note: Other software is offered in the download. <Windows Only>


See if there are updates for your graphics drivers https://support.mozilla.org/kb/upgrade-graphics-drivers-use-hardware-acceleration

more options

Flash is not installed on this computer. This computer is dedicated to my embroidery software and I can't risk all the trouble Flash causes. What does that have to do with Firefox thinking that a download has a virus in it?

more options

ggmcbreen said

Flash is not installed on this computer. . . . . What does that have to do with Firefox thinking that a download has a virus in it?

FredMcD said

Separate Issue: Update your Flash Player

Your System Details shows;

Installed Plug-ins

Shockwave Flash 22.0 r0