Popups Galore! What's Going On?

[Culpeper]

Got it!  Thanks guys!

BTW, Spyware Guard full setup download link is temporarily down.  They advise the following link on their forums:

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download3045.html

Forum thread:

http://www.wilderssecurity.com/index.php?board=34;action=display;threadid=18102

SpyBot even recommends Spyware Blaster for more protection than Spybot provides.  It's right there in SpyBot's Immunize window.

[techie101]

Culpeper,

Sure, Here they are:
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

Good luck
techie

PS:  You really didnt think you would get Technical to use SpamPal did you.  

[techie101]

Cojo,

For Technical and experienced users, IE Maximizer if fine, but you need something simple and easy to learn.

NOAds will work also for IE, but I have found Window Shades quite an easy learning curve.

techie

[Culpeper]

Thanks!

I'm gonna give the Blaster and Guard programs a try on my machine.

[CoJo]

thanks to everyone...

techie, I downloaded each of the programs you suggested with the exception of lavasoft (since I already have it)

some of the items that I checked for protection showed in the new scan on spyBot...jupiter?...hotbar...and a couple of others that I never heard of...all were deleted.
do I need to do anything else now?
I feel like I put a chasity belt on my computer...
cojo

[techie101]

Cojo,

No, you don't need to do anything else.  SB and SG will take care of things from now on and alert you when they take corrective action.

PS: Maybe not a chastity belt yet....Let's just say a little "family planning" hahaha

Hope the holiday went well.

techie

[CoJo]

sigh...still trying to get this right!
no more extra windows with ads...thank you!!

I ran Gibson's port scan and all showed as stealth mode except I failed the ping ...I'm using EzFirewall and it looks like the default settings are set to block any ping requests...
XP firewall is enabled...don't know if my isp provides anything

so should I customize the EzFirewall?
as usual, I'll wait for advice before changing anything...

cojo

[Lisandro]

sigh...still trying to get this right!
no more extra windows with ads...thank you!!

I ran Gibson's port scan and all showed as stealth mode except I failed the ping ...I'm using EzFirewall and it looks like the default settings are set to block any ping requests...
XP firewall is enabled...don't know if my isp provides anything

so should I customize the EzFirewall?
as usual, I'll wait for advice before changing anything...

cojo

I suggest you do not change anything... For Gibson's port report, you are ok  

[techie101]

sigh...still trying to get this right.

You are doing just fine!

no more extra windows with ads...thank you!!

Mission accomplished.  Your welcome.

I ran Gibson's port scan and all showed as stealth mode except I failed the ping

A "ping" is only a request from a computer to communicate with another.  The pings can go either way (incoming  or outgoing).  

...I'm using EzFirewall and it looks like the default settings are set to block any ping requests...
XP firewall is enabled...

As Techinical stated.  Your default settings should be fine.  We can help you tailor the settings should a need arise.If "ping requests" have been blocked both ways, this could cause some problems for programs that require them to connect to a remote server (computer).  NOT TO WORRY.  Just be mindful of this should a program that was working starts to act up (usually you will not get a connection to a site that you did before).  This is easily fixed.

don't know if my isp provides anything

ISPs normally do not provide firewall protection of any kind that would protect you.  Firewalls are always on the user end. (Hope I understood your statement) They do on occasion provide Spam and Ant-viurus protection.  The AV protection they provide scans their servers and in no way will it interfere with any antivirus a user has running on their computer.

so should I customize the EzFirewall?
as usual, I'll wait for advice before changing anything...

IN general, my friend.  The only thing we will let you change on your own are your clothes.    Leave the computer settings changes to us.   (for now anyway)

You are progressing rather nicely.  You now show a much greater understanding of how programs operate, and are comfortable with asking technical questions and receiving instructions which you now can follow without a hitch.
"When the student is ready, the teacher emerges".  Gee...I heard that recently from someone very wise.  

As always,
I will be here,
techie

[Ulti]

Couldn't see this extremely nifty program recommended, so I guess I'll have to do it...

Proximitron: http://www.proximitron.org , works as a local virtual proxy, and can clean virtually anything from incoming webpages (for e.g. "onload/onunload"-unloader, popupblocker, etc etc..).. As well as limit the information your browser feeds the pages you are visiting..
Freeware; rocks!  


ps. When checking the link I discovered that they've stopped development of it, but imho no further development is needed; it is "complete" and has never crashed for me.. more info on for e.g. http://www.proxomitron.info

[techie101]

ulti,

I have used Proxomitron very successfully.  However, it must be understood that Proxo has a lot of power available, and you must take the time to understand what it does and when.

Proxo can curtail much of your internet surfing unless you configure it properly.

techie

[Ulti]

Indeed it requires quite some configuration and thus; time.. But Imho it is worth it, especially since it, to me, was very educational on what my machine sends to the web via http, and what the web sends me..
But I too realize that if you're not particulary interested in "how" it works, or simply don't have time, will, etc, there are probably more suitable programs than proximitron..
I can't really say that you shouldn't try it if you're inexperienced in this area, since that was exactly what I was when I started using this, but partly due to using this I've learnt quite a bit about networking, network security, privacy and so on..

But as I said, some will and time are required, general pc-users might find this all to technical, and for them there are indeed much more userfriendly programs..

//Ulti..