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Can installing an add on in firefox install spyware?
Marc W2


Joined: 14 Nov 2013
Posts: 0
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I have bodhi linux, I use firefox. I scan with ClamAV, and if I find anything, I run rkhunter.

This seems save, but I think the following thing happened.
(I am not 100% sure though..)
I updated firefox.
Firefox told me add ons were outdated.
I installed the newer add ons.

And since then, I have an advertisement running every time I start up firefox for the first time each day/week, not sure yet.
The advertisement is called weeklycareeradvice by the way.

I have run both ClamAV and rkhunter, both dont say anything.

Now if such a browser hijacker can be installed appearently to popup adds, can it also be used through, script injecting to steal my bank account password?
If so, are there spyware checkers for linux that could check if I am infected.?

For your interest, I am also running add blocker and no script. Unfortunatly however, the bank's website forces me to turn javascript on, otherwise the site does not work.

Any advice?
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GuitarBob


Joined: 09 Jul 2006
Posts: 9
Location: USA
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Your post mentioned Clam AV, which runs on Linux. This is the forum for the free ClamWin antivirus, which runs on Windows. I suggest you contact a user forum devoted to Clam AV.

Regards,
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Marc W2


Joined: 14 Nov 2013
Posts: 0
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Oh, yes of course my apologies.
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GuitarBob


Joined: 09 Jul 2006
Posts: 9
Location: USA
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Re: adware. It can be associated with malware (like banking Trojans), but it is not usually. Any downloader/dropper/installer that installed the adware can also install trojans, but is sounds like there was no Trojan involved in this case --the adware was probably voluntarily installed when you okayed the updated add-ons. Always scan anything (download but don't install) before you put it on your computer. Adware is tough to detect though--it sometimes has a valid digital signature, and only a few AVs seem to be really concerned with it (Avast, Dr. Web, Nod32, Sophos for a few).

Regards,
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Marc W2


Joined: 14 Nov 2013
Posts: 0
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Thank you Bob. So it is theoretically possible, but not very likely. I am a little bit worried that spyware detectors are not very much available on linux, I would like that extra check. But like you said this is not a general clamav forum but a clamwin forum. (Running Clamwin on some other old computer I have, that apologizes my mistake somewhat I hope.) I will investigate more in other sources. Your help was welcome though, my gratitude again.
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Can installing an add on in firefox install spyware?
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