another question re: pop ups, etc
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,532
Likes: 5
From: Trussville, Alabama
another question re: pop ups, etc
I need some help guys....
I use Grisoft antivirus software, Adware spyware software and Panicware pop-up blocker.
They have worked GREAT until one day last week.
All of a sudden I am getting pop-ups that Panicware doesn't catch. Just out of the blue it started. Panicware will still block many pop-ups but some it doesn't seem to recognize.
Is there new pop-up technology that skirts the pop-up blockers?
In addition, I now have 3 shortcuts that show up on my desktop when I reboot. I can find attractive singles, get rich and get out of debt, all by clicking internet shortcuts that magically appear out of nowhere.
I HATE THESE THINGS !!
I am fairly computer savvy but can't seem to get rid of these stupid shortcuts.
Any help is appreciated.
By the way: Windows 98 Second Edition.
I use both IE and Netscape.
Thanks.
I use Grisoft antivirus software, Adware spyware software and Panicware pop-up blocker.
They have worked GREAT until one day last week.
All of a sudden I am getting pop-ups that Panicware doesn't catch. Just out of the blue it started. Panicware will still block many pop-ups but some it doesn't seem to recognize.
Is there new pop-up technology that skirts the pop-up blockers?
In addition, I now have 3 shortcuts that show up on my desktop when I reboot. I can find attractive singles, get rich and get out of debt, all by clicking internet shortcuts that magically appear out of nowhere.
I HATE THESE THINGS !!
I am fairly computer savvy but can't seem to get rid of these stupid shortcuts.
Any help is appreciated.
By the way: Windows 98 Second Edition.
I use both IE and Netscape.
Thanks.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 621
Likes: 0
From: S.W. Oregon
I used to have lots of trouble like this. I now run Adaware, Spybot, and another that I can't think of right now. I also use the Windows popup blocker. Problem I had was the same one you have now, and that was getting the darn things ENTIRELY off the machine. They hide in the registry, startup folder etc.
What worked for me was that I printed out the log of everything the Spyware removal programs tried to remove. I ignored the cookies and then looked up all the other listings on the web. (Google Groups) When I found people discussing something that applied to my problems, I knew I had a hit. I just searched until I found posts telling me where to manually remove all the references etc. to the spyware, malware, etc.
Took me a while, but it cleaned things up.
I also followed some instructions to change some of my IE security settings to make it harder for these to get downloaded in the first place.
I also have become very opposed to downloading and installing "free trials" of anything except from the most reputable of sites. Lots of garbage gets downloaded with these free trial advertisements.
Also NEVER, EVER, click on those "Your computer may be infected" advertisements. Never download from the free wallpaper or screen saver sites.
It's become a royal pain on the web. Even worse than all the spam.
What worked for me was that I printed out the log of everything the Spyware removal programs tried to remove. I ignored the cookies and then looked up all the other listings on the web. (Google Groups) When I found people discussing something that applied to my problems, I knew I had a hit. I just searched until I found posts telling me where to manually remove all the references etc. to the spyware, malware, etc.
Took me a while, but it cleaned things up.
I also followed some instructions to change some of my IE security settings to make it harder for these to get downloaded in the first place.
I also have become very opposed to downloading and installing "free trials" of anything except from the most reputable of sites. Lots of garbage gets downloaded with these free trial advertisements.
Also NEVER, EVER, click on those "Your computer may be infected" advertisements. Never download from the free wallpaper or screen saver sites.
It's become a royal pain on the web. Even worse than all the spam.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,140
Likes: 4
From: Oak Harbor, OH
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 0
From: Seattle
If you are a Hacker, and you are going to write Hack Code (pop-ups, adware, spyware, viruses, etc.), then it only makes sense to concentrate on writing code which will affect the Browser most widely used: IE
As Torque1st and pfogle said, switch to Firefox.
As Torque1st and pfogle said, switch to Firefox.
Last edited by RocketScience; Mar 2, 2005 at 12:37 PM.
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 621
Likes: 0
From: S.W. Oregon
There are a couple or three threads here that talk about Firefox. Used to be that Firefox would not work with many websites and that is why we did not switch to it. From what people post now, it seems like it may be getting better in that regard. It may be time to give it a second look although there are still folks who say they get frustrated trying to use it at some websites.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 471
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
One solution, Shepard, would to be use Firefox until you find those websites... then you always have your IE backup. Aren't compromises grand? My mom uses Firefox on her Mac and I haven't found any problem sites yet. So they're probably not so common anymore.
As far as my personal computer goes, I ordered it with McAvee firewall, viruscan, privacy service, and spam blocker. It tells me (and lets me trace) all the things that are trying to sneak into my computer. I would recommend a personal firewall. It was worth the extra $60 or so I paid for it (not to mention with the upgrade I was able to get free shipping on my computer!) Once you fix your spyware problem, it might be a good idea to use a firewall.
As far as my personal computer goes, I ordered it with McAvee firewall, viruscan, privacy service, and spam blocker. It tells me (and lets me trace) all the things that are trying to sneak into my computer. I would recommend a personal firewall. It was worth the extra $60 or so I paid for it (not to mention with the upgrade I was able to get free shipping on my computer!) Once you fix your spyware problem, it might be a good idea to use a firewall.
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 479
Likes: 12
From: Louisiana
Goto http://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?rh1dkyd2 ..."shields up" this will scan your computer for open ports....... choose "All service ports". If you have any open ports the you need a firewall like Zone Alarm.
Here is a great forum for spybot, adware and hijack software help http://forums.tomcoyote.org/
Download the latest version of hijack. Register and post your log and they usually will help you on what to delete to get rid of your spyware or downloader.
Also, try this goto "Start" - "run" and type in msconfig in the box and click run. Choose the startup tab and uncheck any program that you do not recognize. You will have to restart to make the changes. If you unchecked some program that you need go back and recheck it. This is also a good way to keep your computer from getting bogged down from to many programs running at one time.
Here is a great forum for spybot, adware and hijack software help http://forums.tomcoyote.org/
Download the latest version of hijack. Register and post your log and they usually will help you on what to delete to get rid of your spyware or downloader.
Also, try this goto "Start" - "run" and type in msconfig in the box and click run. Choose the startup tab and uncheck any program that you do not recognize. You will have to restart to make the changes. If you unchecked some program that you need go back and recheck it. This is also a good way to keep your computer from getting bogged down from to many programs running at one time.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 471
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Yeah, MSConfig is great... but don't just uncheck whatever you don't recognize because I ran that, and there were a lot of things that I didn't recognize but were legitimate items. Check with someone before unchecking... 
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,773
Likes: 7
From: On the road in Ohio
pop-ups like to hone in on messenger service, be sure that it is turned off, pop-up free IE user since 2000 
To Disable the Messenger Service Manually:
-- Click on the Start button in the taskbar
-- Open Control Panels
-- Go to "Administrative Tools" (XP users may need to go to "Performance and Maintenance" first, then "Administrative Tools")
-- Double-click on "Services"
-- Scroll down to "Messenger"
-- Double-click on "Messenger"
-- Change the Startup type to "Disabled"
-- Click "Stop" to stop the service
To Disable the Messenger Service Manually:
-- Click on the Start button in the taskbar
-- Open Control Panels
-- Go to "Administrative Tools" (XP users may need to go to "Performance and Maintenance" first, then "Administrative Tools")
-- Double-click on "Services"
-- Scroll down to "Messenger"
-- Double-click on "Messenger"
-- Change the Startup type to "Disabled"
-- Click "Stop" to stop the service
Last edited by f=2504by497; Mar 2, 2005 at 07:35 PM.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 867
Likes: 0
From: Fairbanks, Alaska
Hey BrianA,
I have had the same problems with popups/popunders. While I still haven't gotten rich, had lots of dates with beautiful women, or got my college degree yet, that doesn't stop them from trying!
You said you are using IE and Netscape. I used IE for a long time, but now I am trying the browser Firefox. It seems to be doing a pretty good job in catching and killing popups. I haven't given it a real good test yet...I want to use it some more before giving it glowing reports, but it seems to have cut down the popups so far. Might be something to look into.
I have had the same problems with popups/popunders. While I still haven't gotten rich, had lots of dates with beautiful women, or got my college degree yet, that doesn't stop them from trying!
You said you are using IE and Netscape. I used IE for a long time, but now I am trying the browser Firefox. It seems to be doing a pretty good job in catching and killing popups. I haven't given it a real good test yet...I want to use it some more before giving it glowing reports, but it seems to have cut down the popups so far. Might be something to look into.