[Jean S]

It has nothing to do with Drudge or Free Republic. Download and run AdAware (free).

[mrsmith]

In internet preferences, turn off the active javascript, Iframe, and other junk.

[Vidalia]

Analog X from ZDNET.com/downloads is a good place to start.

If you are comfortable searching your register look for telltale signs or keywords there, otherwise, using the above or AdAware will help...

[dyed_in_the_wool]

Use Mozilla and turn off pop-ups.
It's a big download, but it's the best way to surf and protect your privacy. IE doesn't offer near adequate protection.

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

Doubt it's anything to do with cookies. Drudge has been running pop-up ads lately. Recommend you get something like Pop-Up Stopper from http://www.panicware.com ...or, there are a few others.

FR uses cookies to automate your login and preferences, but that's about it.

[KS Flyover]

Do what JeanS says in post #2. You most likely have spyware on your system.

[LibKill]

I want to expand a little on what JeanS said.

There is this thing called "scumware". It is in some programs, notably KaZaa, and in some websites (not FR or Drudge, to my knowledge).

Scumware installs on your computer and then causes pop-ups. Some varieties spy on you as well.

AdAware kills off scumware. Be sure to download RefUpdate too. RefUpdate is like updates for your anti-virus program. New varieties of scumware are written every day, so you need to update AdAware just like you update your anti-virus program.

[FormerLurker]

Try ZoneAlarm Pro. It allows you to disable 3rd party cookies and popups...

[KingKongCobra]

You should skip Drudge, he's the culprit.

[beGlad]

"On any regular day I will go to Drudge then come to FreeRepublic,....."

Freaky!? That's what I do. But no, I don't have the pop-up problem.

[the_Watchman]

Using AdAware and Mozilla are probably the best ways to deal with these pop-ups. However, a new type is starting up which has nothing to do with your browser.

Most current versions of Windows accept messages directly from their TCP/IP ports via the "messenger" service. Someone sends you a message and it pops up in the middle of your screen with an "OK" button to close it. So far they have no active content, but you don't even have to have a browser open to get them.

One of my friends was on the phone with a person who got a very intrusive pop-up. The window informed them that "Windows had detected security problems on their machine". They were directed to a commercial URL to get a solution to the problem. It looked very official. This type of advertising is fraudulent. The person was alarmed by the message, but my friend recognized it and had them close the window.

Apparently, there is a business which sells the software which will send these types of messages. This person was connected with a dial-up on AOL. Supposedly, any good firewall will block them. I would suspect that since they are based on TCP/IP, ZoneAlarm (free) should block them.

[GeekDejure]

Cookie Pal works for me !!! Download at http://www.kburra.com

[Texas_Jarhead]

try zone alarm from zone labs

[SpaceBar]

For Unix platforms this is an excellent choice. Works like a charm.

[Blue Screen of Death]

You can go to pcmag.com and get a utility called CookieCop2. It really gives you a lot of control over popups and cookies and a whole bunch of other goodies. It is a bit technical, so if you think a proxy server is a blond waitress, you might want to skip it.

[listenhillary]

Cookies? I've been coming to Free Republic for 3 years, I've never got any cookies. Nary a crumb!

All I've gotten is nasty looks from the wife, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis and bleary eyes.

[DB]

I would strongly suggest you have another hidden application running on your system that is doing this. This hidden application could be reporting anything you do on your computer.

I'm not running anything special and do not have any pop-ups when going to or from Drudge and FR.

[SupplySider]

I have the exact same problem. I clear out all my cookies, temp files and browser cache with OnTrack SystemSuite, then run AdAware. I go back online with a pop-up remover active (currently using AdMuncher). I still get that awful SpyOnYou window popping up, as well as a couple of other X-rated ones. I also wondered about Drudge and FR, as it has hit me after visiting only those two sites after cleaning my system.

If anyone has a cure please post it!

[Nogbad]

Bump

[timestax]

bumped for later...