atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Computers & Programming Computers, Software, Accessories Pop Ups?

I'm getting pop ups now even when I don't have Explorer open. They all say something to the affect of "click here to portect yourself from these annoying pop ups". I have a DSL connection with Norton firewall. What port do I need to block to keep these critters out. I've done a scan with adaware, deleted temp internet files but I keep getting them. Any help would be appreciated.

You need AvayaNovice on this one. I run my network through a D-Link switch with a built in firewall, I also use Norton virus and I also put a spyware program on it that AvayaNovice told me about. I don't get hardly ant pop ups at all. but he is the guy you need.

One way to reduce pop-ups is to check your machine for spy-bots. These cause your PC to run slow and cause pop-ups buy placing "tracking software" on your PC.
Go to GOOGLE.COM
Type in spy bots for your search
Download software that is listed spy bots search and destroy. It is free but you can make a donation. This software is international and you choose by a flag icon.
There is no USA flag, you need to use the British flag.
good luck

Thanks for the info. I downloaded spybot and when I did the scan I belive it hyperventilated. I removed everything it found, maybe that will take care of the problem. One other thing I noticed was a shortcup kept showing up my desktop that would'nt do anything, and had what looked like a sine wave for a name. I kept deleting but it would re-appear. Anyway thanks again for the info.

See if you can drag it to your trash can. After the spy did it's thing it more than likely disabled the link for that shortcut.
If that doesn't work then look at the properties then go in to add and remove programs and see if you can remove it.

CMDL_GUY pointed you in the right direction.

Spybot is the best program out there. Continually scan your PC with spybot and you should be OK.

Make sure you use the IMMUNIZE function of spybot to prevent further cases from occuring. Regularly update spybot (use the online tab/button) to get new bot updates to prevent more of those damn things from getting to your computer.

You might also want to download AdAware, it works well in conjunction with spybot.

If you see those random ActiveX signature allowances where it says Yes or No to authorize something to install in Internet Explorer, closely look it over. Most of the time you'll want to hit no and not let it run. There are a lot of those popup programs that track you that use that method to install their damn software.

Nick

Johny-
Sometimes these critters install themselves as an application (the icon you get on your desktop that you can't get rid of), usually by writing an .exe file to part of the OS startup. Try looking in Add/Remove Programs for the offending application and uninstall it!

Good point Rover.

You might also want to look in your registry under run for applications that startup automatically, yet look sketchy.

You can do that by going to:

Start > Run. Type "regedit" without the quotes and hit enter.

Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > Software > Microsoft > Windows > Current Version > Run

Delete any entries that are obviously not belonging there.

I'd run SPYBOT first though.

I haven't tried Spybot, but Ad-Aware works really good.
Are these pop-ups in explorere windows or are the generic grey windows?
Windows messenger service allows people to send you msgs through the net (not to be confused with MSN Messenger.)
If you go into control panel > admin. tools > Services you can disable it.
Just right click on Mesenger Service and click properties, then stop the servie and disable it from the dropdown.
People are really hitting this hard now, the do a netsend to random ip addresses and once they find a live one they start sending a bunch of msgs. to it.

Thanks for all the replies. After doing the spybot scan, I have only had one pop up thus far. At least I may have em on the run. I'll try each of the other suggestions as well. Thanks to all.

Also look in you system32 folder and see if you have a file called boot.cfg if so delete it its part of a browser hijacker and check your host file to see if it has anything more than the local host and what you have put in it.

Still getting the pop ups. Is it possible they are coming in on an open port of the firewall? These blasted things pop up even without Internet Explorer open. Spybot and adware show all clear any more suggestions?

Johny-
Did you download anything like Kazaa, Bonzai Buddy, Weatherbug, Gator, or anything like that? Many of these will appear as a single application but contain embedded spybots. I've seen situtations where even if you think the offending application is gone, it leaves enough behind to cause what you're experiencing.
Bill

I have'nt downloaded any of the ones you mentioned, however, I did recetnly install MS messenger. I have deleted that as well. When I click on the link in the pop ups it takes me to an ad for software to stop the messages. In its' advertisment it states that MS messenger leaves you open for those type of pop ups. I'm afraid that when I installed MS messenger it opened up some ports that I had blocked on my firewall, but now I don't know which ones to turn back off. I had this trouble once before about a year ago and turning off those ports fixed the problem but I don'nt remeber what the ports are to turn off.

[This message has been edited by JOHNYREB (edited August 24, 2003).]

Make sure that with spybot, you first use the online button to get updates for Spybot with the newest definitions.

Also, make sure you IMMUNIZE using spybot. That's the first option that comes up, should be two red X's -- turn them to green check marks by clicking on them.

These sound like Windows Messenger pop-ups not IE...
Were you able to stop messenger service?

The new Google toolbar has a pop-up blocker. And depending on what version on Windoze you are using, MS Messenger can't be totally removed because its part of the Operating System. I use a program called Trillian for IM, because I can use Yahoo, MSN, AOL & ICQ with one application. Its free and no pop-ups or spam.
You can also go to Add & Remove programs and look in there to see if anything is installed that shouldn't be.

Good Luck

To disable the Messenger service in Windows XP, go to the Control Panel, Navigate to Administrative Tools | Services. Double-click on Messenger and click on Stop. Then set the Startup Type to Manual or Disable. Click on OK and the pop-up spam will be blocked.

That will work for Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows NT service pack two or higher.

If you are indeed referring to windows messenger, those should be text boxes that pop up with an OK button.

They will automatically go away if you're using a router or firewall (providing that you haven't got any special port routing or anything going on).

It's safe to disable that for all versions of windows, as the messenger service is only used in a domain controlled environment anyhow.

That did it MPOE, I'll name my next child after you! Thanks to all for the suggestions. Are those sort of things illegal? If not, they should be. It pretty much is extorsion, they pop up on my computer and tell me to get rid of these messages buy my software. Anyway problem solved thanks a million.

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