Totally, completely, 100% OT - computer question

ajaan

For the past few days when I'm on the internet, all of a sudden a new page will open up with some ad or something. I have run a virus check, the first time it seemed to clear up the problem. A day later it happened again, I ran a virus check, nothing showed up. This is constantly happening now.

I also run an anti-spyware program. If I run this and delete all spyware, go back on the internet, the same thing happens, a new page will open with some spam on it. This may happen every 2 minutes or so and is very annoying.

Anyone have any ideas? Thanks.

coffeyce

you can change your preferences and use pop up blocker.

chris

ajaan

Pop ups are blocked.

ormandh

Which software are you using for your anti-spyware? -Dan

lordmarcovan

The popups are ads, and they're getting past programs like AdAware and popup blockers?

Sounds like something unpleasant lurks within thy computer. Something your spyware and virus protection programs can't see.

Scary.

I'm totally clueless, of course.

ajaan

I looked and I allow popups on this forum. If I don't allow popups will I still be able to send PMs? Also, this has just started to happen in the past week. Before that it never happened.

ajaan

Dan,
My spyware is
CA as is my anti-virus.

engraved

Not all anti-spyware is created equal. Have you run both spybot and ad-aware? Are you using ie or firefox?

ajaan

IE

engraved

One shortcut is to just ignore the problem with IE and start using firefox. Give it a shot, most people never go back. Firefox also has a great plugin that blocks all ads, not just popups. Whenever I use a computer that doesn't have it installed, I am surprised how "noisy" the internet is.

I think I just hit 100 posts, now I get to do a giveaway!

laurentyvan

If this is the one I think it is, good luck!

I recently had to reset my downstairs computer to its original settings, losing all programs I had uploaded to it, retaining only certain files that I had added.

The culprit is something called spychecker and is so embedded that you can not even delete it with the add/remove program.

I spent 16 hours over two days digging it out and when I got down to the last step it still wouldn't go. A close friend of mine who works for Goulds pumps in Seneca Falls NY in computer support said they were having to wipe their computers clean in order to remove it. I finally bit the bullet and did so. This is a vicious program which thwarts every attempt at removal. Just when you think you're ahead of it, back it comes.

Popup after popup and if you hit the x it multiplies.

laurentyvan

By the way, my antivirus could identify it, claim to remove it, but it still wouldn't go.

trozau

Last resort is to back up your files then reformat your drive and load your software and files all over again.

ColinCMR

it sounds like there is another program that re-installs the adware after a certain period of time after you run a cleaner

try another type of adware spyware remover, or strengthen your pop up blocker

most pop-blockers have a function where you hold the ctrl key or something when you click a link that is going to give you a pop you want, pretty useful, but can be cumbersome, especially knowing there is some secret program wasting your cpu resources

good luck!

ajaan

If I back up all the files won't the 'virus' go onto them when I reload everything? Can this be prevented?

theboz11

Don. Try to pick a restore point for your computer on a date before the pop up started to occur.

newbiecollector

Don,

Try and use restore...........IF you can find it on Vista.......I haven't been able to find it but I think it is there. If it works like XP restore pic a date before you had the problem.

That may or may not work. Next choice I would make is to go to add remove programs and try and find a recently added program that does not belong there and delete it.

Good luck

ajaan

<< <i>Try to get a restore point for your computer on a date before the pop up started to occur. >>


Excuse my ignorance, but what is that?

theboz11

Restore point

ajaan

What if I don't have Vista? I have Windows XP

newbiecollector

Thanks Boz

lordmarcovan

<< <i>Totally, completely, 100% OT >>



Watch out. The self-appointed OT Police are apparently everywhere these days.

Thank goodness this isn't the Liteside. I feel like I'm back in Kansas, now, Auntie Em.



<< <i>There's no place like home
There's no place like home
There's no place like home >>

theboz11

Restore point for XP

Your welcome Wayne Dan

lordmarcovan

Hey, that might just be the ticket. Hope so!

(Edit to add: from what little I have seen and from brief personal experience on my mother's laptop, be glad you don't have Vista.)

newbiecollector

Using restore on my home PC with XP has worked very well for me in the past. Unfortunately I have Vista on this laptop

SaorAlba

<< <i>IE >>



1st mistake, coming from someone that works on PC's a lot. Use FF, it is much more user friendly and much less prone to garbage like pop-ups. You can tweak settings in FF much better. Once you FF awhile, you will despise IE.

Edited to add these:

Also suggest some of the free ad aware programmes that are around like this:

Lavasoft

And AVG from Grisoft:

Grisoft.com

Best to have at least a couple, they work to compliment one another.

theboz11

FireFox is an excellent browser, Good recommendation.