I ran spybot search and destroy... still getting sick popups...

[Cuda1447]

Ive never really had this problem before. I recently reformatted my computer, reinstalled kazaa lite ( so that shouldn't be the problem) and I use crazy browser (popup blocker). I was getting nasty amounts of popups, even when not using my browser (so they weren't from websites). I thought maybe I had some spyware on my machine, ran spybot... no help. Still getting sick popups, not sure what to do? Maybe there's a service pack I need cause of a security leak?


Anyone have any advice?

 

[Jetblade]

Try running a virus check. Also, make sure you update Spybot.

 

[Mutilator]

You can also try adaware. Sometimes the different spyware programs catch stuff the other one missed.

 

[Cuda1447]

Originally posted by: Jetblade
Try running a virus check. Also, make sure you update Spybot.

DOh! Forget to re-install my AVG scanner!

 

[Lifer]

UPDATE ur spybot.

 

[amdskip]

Have you disabled windows messenger service?

link

 

[UNCjigga]

how bout firewall? Got some basic ZoneAlarm???

Oh and BTW I just read the other day that SP2 for Windows XP will include a beefed up MS Personal Firewall that is TURNED ON by default

 

[Cuda1447]

Originally posted by: amdskip
Have you disabled windows messenger service?

How do I do that? Also Im using win 2k. Updating spybot right now.

 

[SinnerWolf]

Make sure you updated spybot, and immunized as well. More to the point though, crazy browser is just IE with a different tabbed wrapper. It hasn't been updated in over a year. There are easily hunderds of scripts that get around the mild pop-up blocking capabilties of CB. If you want a browser that has a successful pop up blocker, try mozilla/firebird, avant, opera, etc... I'd also suggest a free little app called Admuncher if you're stuck on CB/IE.

Also, make sure you have some sort of AV software. The fact that you're getting all kinds of pop ups when not actively using the net makes me think you probably have the quadro/qhosts virus which has been running rampant on the net for a few months. It opens the floodgates to spam, spyware, etc....try the following 2 links to remove the virus and any possible malicious host files.

http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/FixQhost.exe
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/cwshredder.zip

 

[Cuda1447]

I feel bad for all those computer illiterate people out there. Im by no means smart, but I know my way around a computer fairly well, more so then most people. If I had to go through this minimal amount of trouble to get rid of ads/popups on my computer I wonder what the average citizen is like. It must be fricken awful to have to deal with all these popups! On a side note I fricken had a virus!

 

[Cuda1447]

Originally posted by: SinnerWolf
Make sure you updated spybot, and immunized as well. More to the point though, crazy browser is just IE with a different tabbed wrapper. It hasn't been updated in over a year. There are easily hunderds of scripts that get around the mild pop-up blocking capabilties of CB. If you want a browser that has a successful pop up blocker, try mozilla/firebird, avant, opera, etc... I'd also suggest a free little app called Admuncher if you're stuck on CB/IE.

Also, make sure you have some sort of AV software. The fact that you're getting all kinds of pop ups when not actively using the net makes me think you probably have the quadro/qhosts virus which has been running rampant on the net for a few months. It opens the floodgates to spam, spyware, etc....try the following 2 links to remove the virus and any possible malicious host files.

http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/FixQhost.exe
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/cwshredder.zip[/q


Thanks a ton man, I'll be sure to check it out.

 

[Cuda1447]

haha, I actually had FIVE viruses!

 

[Lifer]

Originally posted by: Cuda1447
I feel bad for all those computer illiterate people out there. Im by no means smart, but I know my way around a computer fairly well, more so then most people. If I had to go through this minimal amount of trouble to get rid of ads/popups on my computer I wonder what the average citizen is like. It must be fricken awful to have to deal with all these popups! On a side note I fricken had a virus!

i'm not so sure you're computer literate or know your way around a computer well if you don't know how to stop the messenger service and/or update spybot/adawre and/or if your still getting pop ups.

this is basic stuff for the power user.
<---- ZERO pop ups on an winXP pro SP1 from almost a year ago.

 

Find and dload Hijack This.

 

[samgau]

The preffered order of installation is:
OS+patches, firewall, Antivirus software, then your other stuff....

And these days with the worms, its better to dl your patches to a cd on a different pc or before you format, and apply them even before you plug your box into the interweb...

 

[Cuda1447]

Ok so Im virus free and using mozilla now. Ran spybot and have no spyware. Still got a series of 4 popup windows last night, seems like its the only kinda popup thats getting through, what to do next?

 

[bernse]

What are the windows?

Did you try Ad-Aware as has been recomended a couple times?

 

[Cuda1447]

I'll try adaware. The windows were titled "Counter" all 4 of them. Never gave them enough time to load. So far today though no pop ups, so the problem may be fixed... *knock on wood*

 

[TechnoKid]

CWShredder should take care of those spyware files (which may be causing the popups), if not, you have a trojan on your computer.

I use spywareblaster as well as spybot search and destroy.

 

[anxi80]

Originally posted by: Cuda1447
Ok so Im virus free and using mozilla now. Ran spybot and have no spyware. Still got a series of 4 popup windows last night, seems like its the only kinda popup thats getting through, what to do next?

did you do what amdskip suggested, the disabling windows messenger service? i get a few calls at work on this one, here are the instructions for windows 2000 from the site amdskip linked to...

[*]Click Start-> Settings-> Control Panel-> Administrative Tools->Services
[*]Scroll down and highlight "Messenger"
[*]Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties.
[*]Click the STOP button.
[*]Select Disable or Manual in the Startup Type scroll bar
[*]Click OK

 

[spanky]

wow... who would've ever thought that pop up's would be such a booming business

now if only there was a way in handling those annyoing flash ads (as opposed to just disabling them)

 

[Cuda1447]

Originally posted by: anxi80

Originally posted by: Cuda1447
Ok so Im virus free and using mozilla now. Ran spybot and have no spyware. Still got a series of 4 popup windows last night, seems like its the only kinda popup thats getting through, what to do next?

did you do what amdskip suggested, the disabling windows messenger service? i get a few calls at work on this one, here are the instructions for windows 2000 from the site amdskip linked to...

[*]Click Start-> Settings-> Control Panel-> Administrative Tools->Services
[*]Scroll down and highlight "Messenger"
[*]Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties.
[*]Click the STOP button.
[*]Select Disable or Manual in the Startup Type scroll bar
[*]Click OK

Yep, sure did. Thinks look good right now. No popups in 2 hours, and thats while aggressively surfin the net.

 

[Vantasticman777]

I use a Four part strategy. I have not had a pop-up in ages.

1) Firewall (EZ armor) that has pop-up blocker, anti-virus, and is FREE!
I have used EZ Armor for years, since it was Innoculate IT, it is great. Spyordie007 posted the info in HOT DEALS for you can go straight to the link here.

2) Avant Browser, also with pop-up blocker, different type
Avante Browser

3) Run Adaware every month or so.
Ad-aware at Lavasoft

4) Also, I have my cookie settings to block Third Party cookies.
In IE go to TOOLS >> INTERNET OPTIONS >> PRIVACY >> ADVANCED >> Under Third Party Cookies: BLOCK >> APPLY

 

[Ichinisan]

Control Panel>Administrative Tools>Computer Management>Services
Stop and Disable the "Messenger Service" and your popups will stop.

[edit]
Yeah, someone else got it too...but my instructions were tailored for WinXP (and included a missing step)
[/edit]

 

[amdskip]

Originally posted by: Ichinisan
Control Panel>Administrative Tools>Computer Management>Services
Stop and Disable the "Messenger Service" and your popups will stop.

Already been posted and it seems to be working for him now.