How do I get rid of pop ups, IGive, Cashback etc.?

[NotchJohnson]

Hello, What is the best way to get ride of pop ups and several icons? I would liek to do it without downloading anything. I have Norton AntiVirus but taht doesnt stop all teh ads and spyware.

[scab4faa]

Format C:

[NotchJohnson]

Will downloading mozilla change the look of the computer-meaning the toolbar above? Can it be uninstalled so that I start from scratch?

[Good.V.Evil]

Ive used everyone of the programs mentioned and found this one the best.
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

Hijackthis is also awesome. Do a google search.

[TruthWillWin]

Google toolbar works well for me. A simple and short download but gets the job done. Have only had a few of the buggers since installing it.

[Leatherneck_MT]

Mozilla works very much like Internet Explorer. It also allows you to import all of your bookmarks once you install it. Set your default browser to Mozilla the first time you run it and tell windows to not ask you again.

Yes it can be uninstalled later on if you don't like it. But I can almost assure you that after using it for awhile, you'll never go back to IE.

[njmaugbill]

one word:

MACINTOSH

Bill from Nutley

[battousai]

You probably have lots of spyware and possibly viruses on your system as others have mentioned, there are two excellent free programs that can help you clean it up. I would do the following:

1) Go to Trend Micro's website and run the free antivirus scan:

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

2) Download Spybot Search&Destroy, install it and update it, then run a scan of you system and let it fix what it finds. Once fixed immunize the system:

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

3) Also download Lavasoft's Adaware again install and update it then scan your system:

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/

These are all free tools for personal use, if you need further help with any of them, their respective websites have good documentation to get you going. Hope this helps.

[rdl6989]

Yahoo has a new pop up blocker with Spyware stopper that I just downloaded over the weekend. I like it so far. I found 82 items on this computer with the Yahoo that McAfee couldn't find! My Ad popups have been reduced to almost none and would be none but I don't have the popup blocker on because some websites links open in another browser and cant if I have it on. I hope this helps.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

rb22982's post #18: "Download Adaware and Spybot Search and Destroy, they're both free and very reputable. It's the only way you will get rid of them."

This is by far the best suggestion for you, in my opinion. Both are utilities that track down and remove spyware on you computer that was installed by some site you visited (you probably thought you were getting something for free)

Adaware is here

and Spybot Search and Destroy is here.

[Revel]

You need to download some things. First as just as others have been saying...You should get Mozilla or Firefox. Actually both are made by Mozilla. If you are using outlook for your email then you may want to get Mozilla because it does email too...and it is far more secure than outlook. If you just want a browser then go with firefox. If you have been using IE then you could have a lot more problems than popups because IE is a magnet for spyware. It has more bugs than rotten wood piled outdoors. Very dangerous to use. So you should also have a spyware remover. Spybot is for that purpose. It scans for items that Norton does not care about. Norton looks for virus's...and not so much for spyware. Another one you should have is Adaware by lavasoft(free):

http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10045910.html?part=69274&subj=dlpage&tag=button

This is also a good spyware remover. Spybot does not catch everything and neither does adaware....so the two make a good compliment to each other.

Spyware can attach itself to your broswer and cause many bad things to happen with your broswer(Pages altered-redirected). It can also log and send out your personal information and slow your computer to a crawl. If you listen to all the advice you are getting here on FR then you will be way better off.

[rb22982]

Thanks for posting the links, I was too lazy to look them up ^

[TomGuy]

Format C:

That wasn't nice. Now do an ALT+F4 for penance.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

I should also recommend that once you download the free programs to your computer, you'll have to launch the utility by clicking on the icon on your desktop, then start each program. There are ways to automatically run these utilities on your computer but the first time you'll have to click on the program icon on your desktop once the program is installed.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

That's OK, rb.

NotchJohnson, here's the link for ZoneAlarm which you will want to install as a free firewall.

[Revel]

The first time you run Mozilla or firefox it will ask you if you want to import from IE. You have the choice. Yes it looks a little different, but it is very simple to use. There is also something called extensions that you can download from within the tools menu of the browswer itself. These will let you add features. For instance...I am told that newer versions of IE have something called a "Google Toolbar". Well You can download that for Mozilla as well and it will be right there at the top of your browser. Another consideration...if you have a dialup....Firefox is much smaller. around 5 megs.

[FierceDraka]

If I might throw in my $0.02 here...

For spyware, get these:

AdAware - http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/

SpyBot - http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/

CWShredder - http://www.siena.edu/antivirus/spyware/cws.asp

All free downloads, easy to use, and rips that crap out by the roots.

For popups, I use a one-two punch. My firewall software (Zone Alarm Pro) has a feature that allows you to block popups that aren't specifically requested by the user. Then there's Mozilla (http://www.mozilla.org/) - it has pretty much the same feature as Zone Alarm, but the browser is free.

I wouldn't bother with any "free" popup blocking software, since there's a good chance that whatever you get is rotten with spyware. Also, I've seen apps like those mess up the funtionality of Internet Explorer.

And if you insist on using IE, you can change your security settings to block third-party cookies and ActiveX controls.

I'm feeling magnanimous, so here's the rundown on how to change them:

In IE, along the top of the window, open the Tools menu.

From there, select Internet Options.

Once you're the Internet Options screen, click on the Security tab along the top.

In Security, click on the Internet icon.

Then click the button that says Custom Level.

You should now be in the Security Settings box, with ActiveX controls and plug-ins at the top. Now enter the following settings:

Download signed ActiveX controls should be checked as Prompt
Download unsigned ActiveX controls should be checked as Disable
Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe should be checked as Disable
Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins should be checked as Enable
Script ActiveX controls marked safe for scripting should be checked as Enable

Hit OK

Hit OK again.

You should be good to go now.

Enjoy!

[JoJo Gunn]

Spyhunter???

RUN, do not walk, from that program!

Don't take my word for it. Do a search. They have been questionable since day One. You can start here:

click

[scab4faa]

ROFL I had to try it. That reminds of this joke, click here

[JoJo Gunn]

I posted this several months back. It's a highly questionable Spyhunter ad ("System Status - Urgent Attention") which used to popup on Drudge's site, among others.

http://www2.enigmasoftwaregroup.com/TMP/3.htm

[CIBvet]

Bump for later