need computer help!

[Superior Shine]

I have often been impressed with the wealth of information one can find on MOL that isn't car related.


I have some kind of ad-ware problem. If I click on a web-site from search engine results (yahoo and google) the site I clicked on doesn’t load but an advertisement does instead. Now these aren’t pop-ups, I am actually taken to a web-site such as http://cheap-car.101soho. com/ or www.true. com

It will not let me to the page I want until I close and attempt to access the site I want two times.


I have already run Norton anti-virus, spyware doctor and ad-aware SE. I ran them in safe mode as well.

They all found stuff that I deleted but I still have this problem.

Help! What can I do??

[Five Star]

sounds like it installed a BHO

you might want to try Spybot S & D

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

[Superior Shine]

Thanks for your reply.

After I posted here I deleted my cookies and all is well.

I hope it stays that way.

[Five Star]

Originally posted by Superior Shine
Thanks for your reply.

After I posted here I deleted my cookies and all is well.

I hope it stays that way.

i hope so too, computer problems are a pain
I had to clean out spyaxe from a friends computer, that was a nasty one to get rid of

[Desertdawg]

Also see if you have any parasites on your puter.
http://www.doxdesk.com/parasite/

The red box on top will tell you if there are any, and if so it will also give you links to the "how to" to get rid of them....

I also like to go through my "add / remove" list to make sure no new programs are loaded without my knowing it....If you find any, un-install them, then go delete the file from your hard drive..

Or you could just quit looking at ****, and you won't have anymore problems...

[magnus]

I am a biased Mac user for many years now (graphic/web designer). This year I accepted another position at my school to be the network administrator. I am a fairly competent Windows user, so the new part of the job was the actual network process, especially the Windows quirks.

I must say that after 5 months on the job, I am all the more convinced to remain a Mac user. I don't have to deal with spyware, adware, or viruses. I don't have to deal with the blue screen of death, BIOSes deciding to change the CPU speed on their own, literally doesn't of OS service packs, hotfixes, and security updates.

Now this isn't to say that Macs are perfect, but the cost of ownership over the long haul sure outweighs the upfront costs.

--

PS - Until we are able to purchase a network-wide solution for 150 computers at a total of $3500, we are using both Spybot Search & Destroy AND Ad-Aware. It would be a little easier as a home user to set both of the programs on schedules to run (and update) on a daily basis (if you are a daily user)

I have read a suggestion of starting your PC in Safe Mode, as this will minimize what the OS runs, and then run these two programs. May or may not find more problems to fix.

I would also strongly recommend using pretty much any other browser than Internet Explorer. If you must use IE, make sure you are running the latest IE 6 security updates. My browser of choice on the PC would be Firefox.

Also look under Control Panels | Add/Remove Programs to remove any software that you don't recognize or have personally installed on your computer.

Of course, backup before doing anything to your computer.

[Superior Shine]

Thanks again for the replies.

I STILL have a problem.

I have messed with the "manage add-ons" and this seemed to help for now. Then again I thought I was good an hour ago.

[danielsan]

I'm a recent mac convert and I recommend it, but here's my recommendations for those who are unable or unwilling to make dramatic computing changes in their life.

First of all, I know this sounds extreme, but with Windows, in order to keep it running smoothly, I format the HD and reinstall windows every 6-8 months on my parents computers. Think of anti-viruses and spyware removal programs (which are necessary and good) as a nice polish and wax job which can cover up a lot of flaws and keep everything working, but doesn't solve long-term problems. This also ensures that you will keep your data relatively completely backed up. I find with my company's network and my parents computer that most problems lately begin with a corrupted e-mail which then opens the floodgates to viruses and spyware on the internet. Cookie permissions are also important, as you've probably noticed. If you use outlook, you *MUST* make sure that your security settings are very high, because viruses can get on your computer even without you opening attachments. Virus-laden jpeg images (believe it or not), java script (try removing the space from java script and see what happens in your post), and html is allowed to run just by looking at a message under outlook's default settings, or at least it used to be. Thunderbird, from the makers of firefox, is an EXCELLENT alternative to outlook.

I would also recommend using an alternative browser, such as Firefox. There have been instances where it has had vulnerabilities that IE did not, but IE is the most popular and most targeted browser for viruses and ads.

Nowadays, the only safe PC is an umplugged one, but since we all have to use them, we all have to deal with the consequences.

[Ciscoford23]

Sorry to here about your problems...When I fix my friends/family computer I always run

Ad-Aware se
SpyBot search and destroy
Microsoft ant-spyware
Ewido anti-malware

Just search in google for the ones you haven't tried. Also a good anti-virus is Avast..low resources and very effictive. Hope this helps. Also a good firewall is a must if you have any kind of Broadband internet.

[SiriusRIMZ]

I use BulletProof Shield. Its worked out very well, but is not free.

I'd reccomend running a firewall to block the spyware from accessing the internet.

Somewhat offtopic, but I like using FireFox as my browser, it blocks 95% of all popups.

[Ciscoford23]

Good alternative browsers like Firefox and Opera offer advantages to Internet Explorer. I like the tabs and the mouse gestures in Opera. They are cool if you don't have a mouse with a back button on it. Plus they tend to be safer and a bit quicker than IE. You can also customize them with different skins and other features.

[FromThisSoil]

Virus scanners and spyware scanners are all well and good, but it sometimes takes some actual technical know how to remove something like that.

If/when I get an infection that my scanners don't pick up, the first thing I do is boot up into safemode (restart and hit F8 during the boot screen - then choose safemode).

On Windows XP/2000 I would check the following:

1. Always check the most simple, sometimes spyware/adware actually gives you an uninstall option. Check the Add/Remove programs control panel for any unknown programs, and uninstall them.

2. I'll always empty all my browsers caches and temporary files. Windows has temp. directories that it doesn't delete automatically. They're at Documents and Settings\User\Local Settings\Temp and WINDOWS\Temp, but that one usually isn't used. It's good make hidden files visible before this point because the "Local Settings" file is hidden.

3. Check the startup locations for programs you don't know. There are a few locations.
-The StartUp folder in the "All Programs" menu
-The RUN keys in the registry under CURRENTUSER/SOFTWARE/MICROSOFT/WINDOW/CURRENTVERSION
-Services

Delete any definitely unknown keys, shortcuts, and disable services of unknown origin. Trace the programs and delete the files. Before you delete the files, right click them and check the properties, usually the properties will say nothing, if it says something that sounds important, check up on the file before deleting it. See #4 first.

4. Check well known locations for changes, WINDOWS, WINDOWS/SYSTEM32, and PROGRAM FILES folders are all well known inter-population folder for spyware and adware. Change the directory view to "Details" and sort by date modified, then you can check to see when the file was created on your computer and get more details about it by right clicking and going into properties. If the date/time of file creation correlates to around the same time you got the infection, chances are that's your man.

If you don't know what files are what, do yourself a favor and have a seasoned vet do it.

Superior Shine: If you're still having trouble, PM me and I will give you my e-mail address. You can send me a Remote Assistance call from your computer and I can fix the problem for you for free - or at least try. I have an A.S. in Computer Information Systems.

And to the guy with the Mac formatting his PC every 6-8 months. I've gone 4 years without a format and my computer runs like the first day I built it. It's all about maintenece.

[amf]

I'd say go for a Mac! You won't regret it. Very safe from spywares, viruses, trojans etc.

[Superior Shine]

FromThisSoil

Thank you. I will give your advice a try.

I have used IE since 1998 and this is my first problem so there are not as bad as it sounds.

Thanks everybody for you input.

[Scottwax]

I've been running Trend Micro for security and Spy Sweeper for spyware. Both seem to work well but I still have to watch my kids when they use my computer. They like to go to gaming sights which are loaded with spyware. I've told them any site that allows you do play games for free is hijacking your computer with spyware. That didn't seem to sink in so now they can only use the computer when I am home to monitor what they do.