Spyware and pop up's

[dpuckett]

I am having an issue with my computer where I am getting an enormous amount of pop-up's. I have Yahoo DSL and am using their pop-up blocker, but it doesn't seem to help. I recently downloaded the STOPzilla software hoping that that would help, but it hasn't. I've used one but not the other, and both at the same time, and it doesn't help. Any suggestions on how to fix this? I don't know too much about this topic so if anymore information is needed, please let me know. Thanks in advance for any help that you can provide.

Dave

[dpuckett]

By the way, the operating system is Windows XP, and we are getting Spyware and Adware pop-up's. When Norton is run to get rid of them, it says they're cleared, but they come right back. Lavasoft has also been used to try and correct the problem.

[rightcoast]

Hi dpuckett,

Lets see if we can't get your PC back in shape for you

Turn off system restore. right click "my computer" on your desktop, choose properties> systemrestore > disable system restore on all drives.

Update Norton if you haven't already today.
Empty your internet temp folder, I don't know which you use but it is often under "Tools" on the internet applications toolbar.

You say you have Ad-Aware already, so download spybot:
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

Microsoft Anti-spyware:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...n&Hash=V7KX6M8

and be sure to have Adaware MS Anti-Spyware and Spybot fully updated. Update before doing anything else.

Now, what I do is do a deep scan with MS antispyware, it is there under scan options, I forget exactly where. You have to choose remove for some things it doesn't remove by default, unless you recognize it as something you want like Bearshare or whatever. Then I boot into safe mode by restarting and pressing F8 as the PC is booting up (press is repeatedly every second or so until you see the safe mode option screen).

Choose Safe Mode and then Scan with spybot, be sure to immunize when it asks. While your in safe mode scan with Norton too.

I then stay in safe mode, scan with adaware and MS antispyware. This should fix 95% of the problems. After that boot into regular mode, download hijackthis:
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html

Install it into C:/Hijackthis, and when you run it choose "scan and save log"
you can then post the log here and anything that needs touching up can be taken care of.

Good luck!

[stevebro6510]

rightcooast prettymuch said it all. i highly reccomend that when you're done you get rid of norton. i was running norton 05 on my previous comp it slowed down substantially which im sure you noticed with yours. norton is a good program considering it is constantly updated with all of the new virus definitions. i suggest either avg antispy or symantec corporate edition. both are much smaller programs, but work just as well if not better. you can get either at a p2p site.
avg antivirus also has a free version (same amount of protection it just doesnt have all of the bells and whistles of avg pro antivirus. i wouldn't suggest any program to you that would put your computer at risk, but everyone has their own opinion. i recently finished building my new rig and i run avg antivirus pro along with adaware. by the way at this site i believe avg is rated higher than norton. with these two programs my old comp is running faster than it ever has because i installed norton on it as soon as i bought it.
well, if you took the time to read through all of this i hope it helps. good luck

[Prew]

Although obvious, make sure the pop up blocker in the browser you are using is turned on