Please Help a Clueless Computer User

[Mrs K 2004]

My computer is driving me nuts! Every 10 minutes or so I get 60 popups (They are just internet explorer filling my screen!) I can't do anything about it except reboot!

Is this a Virus? or just an annoying pop up??

What can I do about this?

I have pop up blockers on both of my versions of internet browser... and this problem juts started (that's what leads me to believe it's a virus of some sort!)

 

[rhinorick]

What do the pop-ups say?

 

[RTM]

It's adware and/or spyware. Download & install Ad-Aware or Spybot:Search and Destroy and remove anything they detect. Make sure you update them before you run them!

 

[Mrs K 2004]

Thank you very much!! I am downloading ad-aware right now!

 

[Dracil]

I would recommend Spybot over Adaware for the fact that Spybot seems to catch more things than Adaware, and it also has an option to install some blocks in your browser to prevent certain spyware from being installed.

While we're at it, I would also recommend using Mozilla Firebird over Internet Explorer for it's superb pop-up blocking.

 

[dotcomguy]

While we're at it, I would also recommend using Mozilla Firebird over Internet Explorer for it's superb pop-up blocking.

I second this suggestion. There are many other advantages to using Firebird besides popup-blocking as well.

 

[Mr.Pious]

Konqueror is beter than both of them, however I don't think they have a Windows ver of it. You can search google and see if they do, it is far superb to ie and firebird.

 

[RTM]

Sounds to me like the popups aren't occurring when Mrs. K is online. If that's the case then an alternate browser won't solve her problem.

 

[dotcomguy]

Sounds to me like the popups aren't occurring when Mrs. K is online. If that's the case then an alternate browser won't solve her problem.

Are you referring to those netsend popups that appear in Windows XP/2K? The reason I didn't think of that is because Mrs. K said these are "Internet Explorer" popups. If some other program is triggering these, then it could be adware of some sort which can be found by running Ad-Aware.

Though, I still suggest avoding Internet Explorer.

 

[Mrs K 2004]

They are random popups in Internet explorer! They come about 60 at a time; and after taking time to load just say "no"

I used Ad-Aware and they haven't shown up again... although I do get one(something different) that pops up often...

Ugh! Ever since we upgraded to XP we've had NOTHING but troubles!

 

[dotcomguy]

although I do get one(something different) that pops up often...

That could be the messenger service which unfortunately is a big source of frustration for many users. A firewall such as Zone Alarm will prevent those type of popups. There is a way to disable it manually, but it's still a good idea to have a personal firewall.

 

[pgp_protector]

Was trying to reply to this yesterday, but had to leav before I could finish

1) Got to GRC.COM, and look over there networksecurity testing
2) Turn OFF MSMessenger If Running XP or 2K
(Go to you control pannel,
Open Administrative Tools
Start Services
Find Messenger, and turn it off
)

 

[Robby]

Get Mozilla now. Its easy to install, and its free.

 

[Protoevangel]

Mrs K 2004:
How is the popup situation going?

Mr.Pious:
To the best of my knowledge, Konqueror only works in KDE.

 

[Stryper]

no do not get a new browser, its more trouble than just installing a simple pop up blocker.

just download the google tooblar.

toolbar.google.com

 

[ThePhoenix]

no do not get a new browser, its more trouble than just installing a simple pop up blocker.

just download the google tooblar.

toolbar.google.com

Google toolbar is the same as any other. Just another piece of adware.

 

[SirKenin]

Google toolbar is the same as any other. Just another piece of adware.

I don't think so.. I run Google, and I have used adaware since. It still runs Google has the OPTION of spying on your movements to improve your searches. Just tell it you don't want the advanced options when installing it.

 

[dotcomguy]

no do not get a new browser, its more trouble than just installing a simple pop up blocker.

just download the google tooblar.

toolbar.google.com

There are more advantages to using a browser other than IE besides popup blocking. First of all you get the advantage of a decent rendering engine compared to that of IE which is out of date and full of problems. ;-p

 

[4thwatcher]

have tried various web browsers really and i ended up going back to the basic IE .. if you're running microsoft OS' it's just a matter of understanding very well the variuos configurations in your internet options... i believe microsoft have provided the right internet browser to its client and it's up to the client to perform some tweaking really..

my advice if youre running on to microsoft environment is to follow pgp_protector's advise to you last 6 february.. and it works what extra tips i can offer you is experiment on various internet options... in my case, the internet costumized level under security is all enabled ... for advanced settings, i ticked all necessary informations but not to all ... adding and blocked under edit all necessary url's that kept popping out at the Internet Options' privacy settings ...

 

[ThePhoenix]

I don't think so.. I run Google, and I have used adaware since. It still runs Google has the OPTION of spying on your movements to improve your searches. Just tell it you don't want the advanced options when installing it.

I prefer firebird for the tabbed browsing anyway. I hate having 6 windows open at once.