[ck 2]

I have had the same computer for about four years now with no problems. But yesterday it went kinda crazy and when I connect(I'm still on dial-up) two or three popups start loading and flash on the screen.

How can I make this stop? I can type in a site I want to go to and it's like these things just take over.

Another thing, certian words will appear highlighted in green and underlined. I just clicked on this post to edit it and now while editing it the word computer in the first sentence of this post is now green and underlined as I edit my post.

[67FamilyFun]

Try some free but very effective spyware removal tools.

1. Ad-Aware www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
2. Spybot - www.safer-networking.org/
3. If you don't trust the swedes or germans above, then try Microsoft's Beta spyware program...http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...e/default.mspx

I run each of these at least once a week...

And I use Firefox as a browser...

Scott

[67FamilyFun]

Additionally, you need to push the "update" button on these programs before you do the scans.

Firefox can be downloaded at: http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/
Once you try "Tabbed" Browsing, you won't ever go back...not to mention that IE is a giant security bullseye...

If you decide to take the leap to Firefox, then you might as well close the other security hole in your Windows system and switch over to Mozilla's Thunderbird for email http://www.mozilla.com/thunderbird/

Even if you don't switch browsers, once you clean up your spyware, you will probably notice increased system performance.

Take care,
Scott

[ck 2]

Thanks Scott,right now I'd try anything.

[HwyStarJoe]

Here's a neat little site that'll walk you through the clean-up process. All the links and instructions you'll need are there.
http://securitytango.com/tango.php

But the best advice I can give you is to switch to Mozilla Firefox. Pop-ups are a thing of the past by default with Firefox. And if something IS blocked that you don't want to be blocked, Firefox will ask you if you want to allow the pop-up or window to be displayed once, never or only when you're on that particular web site or page.

Plus you'll notice a marked decrease in the number of spyware/adware and other junk infesting your PC.

[ck 2]

What is Mozilla Firefox? I'm not up on alot of computer stuff?

[67FamilyFun]

Mozilla Firefox is a browser. The interface you use to "view" the internet. Right now you are probably using Internet Explorer. That is only one program that allows you to view the Internet. Mozilla Firefox is another. I put the link in a post up above to download it.
The problem with Internet Explorer is that practically everyone is using it because it is the default with Windows. That makes it a prime target for hackers. As HwyStar stated, it will help prevent the problems you are experiencing.
To clean up though, you should make Anti-Spyware a requirement. I didn't follow HwyStars link, but you could either do it or download the programs I suggested in my first link to get your computer cleaned up and running well again.
Scott

[67FamilyFun]

Ok, I looked at the securitytango link that was listed above. It is comprehensive. Depending on the state of your system it might be overkill, but it presents a good guide. Do it, your computer will thank you.
Scott

[blackvi]

Sir,

Go to download.com and look up spysweeper. you wont be sorry!

[thedugan]

just use WindowsXp firewall and the MS Anti spyware.

They work fine

And stop going to Porn sites

[clwilcox33]

I'll affirm the comments above. Download and install and UPDATE:

1)Spybot
2)Adaware
3)MS Anti spyware beta

I've been fixing client's PC's for years, I usually run spybot and adaware, but I've tried the Microsoft application and it seems to do the job just fine as well.

Oh, and like thedugan said, stop going to porn sites (unless your spyware apps AND virus protection software are up to date).

[markr]

Originally Posted by blackvi

Sir,
Go to download.com and look up spysweeper. you wont be sorry!

Yep.
I own an IT company and have recommended Webroot's SpySweeper to all my customers. The difference between it and many other spyware/adware utilities is that it runs as a shield on your system, keeping the code out of your system in the first place rather than find it and clean it out later.

I highly recommend it.

[JHunter]

Heres my 2 cents = I've never had any luck with any of the cleaning tools - they either don't remove it all or do, but slow the down the operation because of the memory they use up to run.
Now, about every other month, I do a system restore. Wipes out everything except files you've created and returns the rest to factory condition. When I do that, I only have to reinstall word / excell, yahoo messenger and the program for my palm pilot. There are two ways to do it on my computer, one leaves programs you've installed intact, the other wipes out everything except the programs installed from the factory (you'd have to have your files burned to a disc or some other media).
Just never had luck with the programs, or the side effects weren't what I wanted, not saying others haven't met w/ great success.

[clwilcox33]

There's a bit of good advice in this thread, but only a few bits from folks that work in the computer industry for a living. Keep that in mind. Everyone has a computer and everyone wants to help, because the folks on this site are just that type of really good people to want to help everyone. Good luck with your issues and remember to take computer advice from car enthusiast site with a grain of salt.

Best of luck and /cheers,

[ck 2]

I went to the sites suggested and did all of the scans etc. It helped some problems but I am still having all kinds of pop-up ads. I downloaded the spysweeper free scan and it says it found adware on my computer(so did the other programs I ran). Spy Sweeper won't remove the items unless you subscribe for $ 29.99.

My question is this. Will purchasing this program get this junk off my computer? The free scan and removal systems like adaware,spybot,etc; didn't really help.

I would be more than willing to pay the $30 if this will stop this junk, but the above mentioned free removal systems didn't.

My computer is constantly downloading stuff, even now as I'm typing I can see that it is downloading something on it's own.