Popups Galore! What's Going On?

[CoJo]

hi all

ok, niceness out of the way

what the heck has happened to my computer?? I have not changed any single iota of anything...all of a sudden, I am being deluged with popups...there were 12! windows of ads opened...closed the group from the tray icon and one would not close with the group...but I couldn't get it do open up so I could check it so I had to delete it by itself.

I got my update from Avast! this morning...but this didn't happen until I opened a holiday ecard from a friend.
any ideas??

thanks,
cojo

[Walker]

...but this didn't happen until I opened a holiday ecard from a friend.
any ideas??

Yes we have Cojo, you've most probably answered your own question.  

Have you got Adaware/SpywareGaurd or any such applications installed ?. If not you'll probably need them.. . As a STARTING point  

W.

[MikeBCda]

...but this didn't happen until I opened a holiday ecard from a friend.
any ideas??

Yes we have Cojo, you've most probably answered your own question.  
W.

If my admittedly fuzzy memory is correct, auto-update (or ask-when-available) checks for updates within the first 20 or 30 seconds after you come online, if you're on a dial-up.

And since checking mail is usually the first thing I do, that's typically when my updates come in.

[raman]

Suggestion as almost in this cases: Please post a hijackthis log !;)
http://mjc1.com/mirror/hjt/

[Culpeper]

Something similar happened to me at work whereas I can't install software due to policy and adminstrator rights.  If you don't have access to anti spyware software at the moment do a quick online scan by using this site:

http://www.spywareinfo.com/xscan.php

Read the page and run the script and let the program uninstall any spyware it finds.  Apparently, I had an entire package of spy and ad ware installed that circumvented the access controls on the network.  Since our system people are not too savvy and couldn't figure it out I used the above link that uninstalled the culprits for me.  

[techie101]

Cojo,

May I ask if you use IE?  If so, I can recommend Window Shades, a popup killer.
It seems as though spyware has invaded your computer.  Nothing to really worry about, but we need to clean it out and put in some protection.

I want you to download and install these 2 programs: Spywareblaster and Spywareguard.  They are both resident,which means they are active all the time protecting you against spyware.

In addition, I want you to download and install Adaware, which is a manual spyware detection/removal utility.

All the above are simple to install and use.

www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
www.wilderssecurity.net/spywareguard.html
www.lavasoft.de/  (Take the download from PC world)
www.g-m-m.com/Software/WindowShades/index.php#Download


Once you have the programs installed, we can update them and talk about using them to keep spyware out of your computer.

techie

[CoJo]

hello dere!

is it safe for me to post the hijackthis log on the forum?

techie, I already have SpyBot and Adware...which I ran and deleted everthing, but I'm still getting some popups
especially if I surf...
cojo

Culpepper, I just ran the scan and nothing was found.
should I run the x scan?
cojo

[Culpeper]

On that website you should get a small window while it looks for certain spyware.  If nothing is found the window will disappear.

However, that website scan isn't all inclusive and I would install what Techie101 and others are suggesting because those software are completely up to date on the latest spyware definitions.

Also, open the following page and see if it detects any parasite script that may be on your machine:

http://www.doxdesk.com/parasite/

[Culpeper]

Go to your Control Panel and select add/remove programs and see if anything is there that you know you didn't install like Cnet, 180 Solutions, and Win32 Bi Application.  There are others as well.  Sometimes they show up in your list of installed programs.

[CoJo]

you experts have given me much to do
and I will finish tomorrow...I gotta make the bourbon balls tonight so the flavor will be perfect for Christmas day.
I am slow doing these things now so that I understand them better ...see, y'all have taught me alot already...not to rush pell mell into things!

will do my homework in the morning before noon...

cojo

[techie101]

Cojo,

Ok...Adaware is in.  Spybot is great, but is not resident.
Install the SpywareBlaster and Guard.

From what you are saying, I would stongly suggest a popup killer.
If you use IE, Window Shades is the best.  If you use AOL, then a nice little program is called NoAds.  I can get you the links if you wish.

Update both Spybot and Adaware and run them.  See if anything shows.

I don't think posting the hijackthis log can do any damage on the forum except take up space.  If you want to IM it to me, I'll take a look at it.

I also have Spyblocker4.75  installed (the free version).  You can't get it anymore, only the trial version.  Now Spyblocker is a great anti-spyware program to protect you against ads, banners, worms, scripts and unwanted cookies......all automatically.
If you want it, I can see if I can email it to you.

Again, here is what you should have on your system for good protection:
Firewall
Anti-virus
Anti-spyware
Popup killer
Optional:  Cookie filter and Script Blocker

I don't think that you will see anything unusual in the Control Panel Add/Remove.

Later,
techie

[Culpeper]

Cojo,

Ok...Adaware is in.  Spybot is great, but is not resident.
Install the SpywareBlaster and Guard.

From what you are saying, I would stongly suggest a popup killer.
If you use IE, Window Shades is the best.  If you use AOL, then a nice little program is called NoAds.  I can get you the links if you wish.

Update both Spybot and Adaware and run them.  See if anything shows.

I don't think posting the hijackthis log can do any damage on the forum except take up space.  If you want to IM it to me, I'll take a look at it.

I also have Spyblocker4.75  installed (the free version).  You can't get it anymore, only the trial version.  Now Spyblocker is a great anti-spyware program to protect you against ads, banners, worms, scripts and unwanted cookies......all automatically.
If you want it, I can see if I can email it to you.

Again, here is what you should have on your system for good protection:
Firewall
Anti-virus
Anti-spyware
Popup killer
Optional:  Cookie filter and Script Blocker

I don't think that you will see anything unusual in the Control Panel Add/Remove.

Later,
techie

Techie

My spybot is resident.  It blocks spyware while I'm surfing I notice.  It has something to do with its settings and immune functions.  Also, I have found adware/spyware in the add programs area.  The ones I named above.  They install in the background without your knowledge and the uninstall functions don't work.

[techie101]

Culpeper,

Yes, Spybot has the Immunize function but it is limited at best.
I think it may have about 400 "blocks".  That is better than nothing, but I have found their updates a little "slow".

SB and SG work in tandem.  But to each their own.

techie

[Culpeper]

Nah, I agree with you and I'm considering changing over to what you suggest.

Got some links to those?

Now, If I can just get Technical to switch to SpamPal

[Lisandro]

Nah, I agree with you and I'm considering changing over to what you suggest.

Got some links to those?

Now, If I can just get Technical to switch to SpamPal

You won't ha ha ha  
I tried SpamPal, it's a good one, but I prefer Spamihilator because, for me, it has better features (translation into other languages, good plugins, etc.).

You need links, see here  

Cojo, for Pop up killer I use IE New Window Maximizer (www.jiisoft.com).