Posted on 09/27/2005 7:25:53 PM PDT by pcottraux
Can anyone help me? I'm not very computer savvy.
Basically, I have a good computer with high-speed internet connection. Problem is, I have spyware, and badly. Almost every webpage I visit, I am bombarded with pop-up ads. The computer has gotten to where it freezes up temporarily as it struggles to bring up a new pop-up ad, which I don't even want up.
I downloaded "Total Access" from EarthLink, but it didn't do any good. I can't block all the pop-up ads, and I can't find a way to get rid of the spyware. I did a free spyware scan, and it determined I do have an almost dangerous level, but how do I get rid of it?
Anyone?
Try clicking on check for updates now. And downloading new definitions.
Go to FReeper HolyMoly's home page link there for everything you need.
And put up a firewall also.
It's a spyware program on your pc doing it. When it sees keywords it puts in links to where ever it wants for you. Nasty stuff you are infected with.
What do you mean you don't know how they got there?
It didn't happen by accident.
It has always worked for me. Make sure you are downloading it from a reputable site. And after you open it there is a picture on the top you have to click on the get the latest definitions.
In any case...Even without cleaning this stuff off your computer you will notice a huge difference with firefox since a lot of the spyware crap is designed to work only with IE. But not all of it.
http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/
But seriously...
Actually, I am serious.
...but I digress.
Stop using the Earthlink browser. IIRC, it's nothing more than a skinned version of Internet Explorer. Go grab a copy of Firefox. Firefox won't play nice with the pop-ups. Once you've connected to the internet (with the Eathlink dialer, I presume), Firefox will get you out onto the net. Once you've gotten out, you should be able to get something like Adaware or Spybot S&D and do your downloading in peace. You may also want a copy of HijackThis to see what's running on your box.
You can also stop alot of them cold also by editing your hosts file.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hosts_file
You've got alot of good advice here, other than format C:, while I enjoy formatting a hard drive and reinstalling an OS, most people do not, and it's probably not neccessary.Adaware and Spybot Search and Destroy will most likely get the job done.There are a few others worth mentioning, Yahoo Toolbar has it's own anti spy and a fairly effective pop up blocker.Also Spyware Blaster will block spyware from installing in the first place.CCleaner "crap cleaner" will remove excess garbage from your hard drive and registry.If you've downloaded,installed and ran all of the above and you're still having problems try running them in safe mode that will usually keep the spyware from reinstalling from memory. Good Luck .
Something's funny, and I don't mean ha ha funny.
lol!
I think you're making an accusation, but I'm not entirely sure.
What do you think the chances are that the spyware he has is keeping him from running Adaware ?
I wouldn't be surprised if some of these things haven't learned to live and defend themselves.
Creepy. Like some sort of sci-fi thing or something.
Now that I know that, I'm not as suspicious of you and your purpose for this post.
Think about it........
Very good chance.
You need do something about your FR homepage.
Sad but true. But that's not the first time I've been accused because of that.
The things aren't just in the text I type, though, they're laced all over all the text all over the internet that I'm looking at. It's even on what you typed, what I'm seeing. "Link" and "Pop-up" are both highlighted links!
If your time is valuable, it's better to use an operating system that isn't plagued with malware.
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