Norton is in the middle of scanning and it says I have seven lousy virus. I’ve been having trouble with popup ads (I’ve been getting overload with them on sites that don’t have them) so I decided. Why do people have to sent the stupid things![:(!][:(!][:(!]
By the way 6 of the 7 were from “temporary internet files” so I guess I got them emailed or the ads had them.
Go to www.lavasoft.de and download the latest version of Adaware. The personal edition is free and they post regular updates. IMHO its the best you can get for the price. They also offer a professional version, but you have to pay for it. Norton antivirus doesn’t do anything to spyware. Spyware is currently not considered a virus. It generally comes from legitimate companies who wants to know where you go on the net, so they can tailor the pop-up ads to where you’ve been. But I wouldn’t be surprised if soon the virus writers didn’t find a way to plug a virus into one.
It only show up on the two sites I visit the most. I have 11 detected files so far, and this site, which I ALWAYS get pop ups on, I have only had 1 come up, saying I won a suitcase [:(!]
I just had the same thing happen to me, and it was[censored][censored][censored][censored]NASTY. I ended up reloading a previuos version of my registry, and then going back to the original, and that crap dissappeared. I think I got lucky, and only had a few small easy things to fix after all that.
Another good tool is Spybot Search and Destroy. It’s very effective when used in conjunction with AdAware. A small caveat though. Sometimes when a legitimate site is trying to load, Spybot will detect something that it doesn’t like and will prevent the page from loading. Specifically, Spybot prevents SiliconValley.com from loading, even though it is a very respected IT web site. That’s the only siye I’ve found so far but that’s not to say it’s the only site which conflicts with Spybot.
Another thing is Spyware Blaster. (www.spywareblaster.com) it is free and works by removing the first bit and the last bit of a packet string from known spy ware vendors.
Pop up ads are being increasing thru your MSN messenger. Search for and download 'Shoot the messenger" it is a free utility that will disable messenger’s ability to deliver ads.
You spoke of temporary internet files. If I remember correctly, go to internet options in your tool bar, and find a check box and have the browser empty temporary files when you close.
Norton Internet Security 2003 does a good job, but is dependant on daily updates and daily scans. Email scams and phishing is another route to deliver virueses to your system. If you do NOT know the sender and the file size is (Example 24k) chances are it is a virus or worm. delete on sight and do not even open.
If you understand emails, use 'Plain Text" instead of HTML. This prevents the sender from knowing if you even opened it. And prevents (To a point) executable files from loading and running.
For a small fee Adaware will greatly “Bulk up” and intercept cookies and spyware as you browse. Your ISP such as Yahoo may offer a Popup blocker. set it to medium or high and it will assist greatly.
Firewalls also close your ports and help hide your computer from detection and subesquent infection. Stay clear of Zone Alarm as a simple flood attack on it will disconnect you. And Black ice was recently found to have security problems which are being fixed.
Also stay updated by visiting sites such as www.f-secure.com (A finnish security company that is very very fast in finding new problems as they occur) and www.sans.org and thier reports on the Internet storm center will provide the latest scams and viruesss etc.
www.symantec.com will be a good source for latest problems. Your “Live update” can be broken by some worms and viruese so if in doubt use the “Intellegent updater” to download and run
The nasty stuff my wife got on our home computer was GATOR which did pop ups and didn’t want to be eliminated. Had to stop it from runnning first. Eliminate it, it had installed itself in Programs, but was sill in the temp folder for next install. Lucky I have XP so was able to clean up the mess and roll back the registry. A few days later I was going through junk mail at work, saw Gator wanting to instal, but canceled. Something had taken me to a site where I was closing down junk ads, but something else was under the close box.
Dougal, download the GOOGLE TOOL BAR, on that tool bar, you’ll find a pop up blocker. If you use it , you won’t have anymore trbl. I’ve been using it for 6 or 7 months now and it’s blocked over a thousand pop ups for me, and I don’t have a virus problem. Also don’t even crack open any e-mail from anyone that you’re not familiar with. Hope this helps.
I hope these things work because my dad said if the free stuff doesn’t work and he has to buy something he’ll uninstall MSTS and won’t let me on any railroad forum, MSN, and my Yahoo groups and he means it![:(]
I don’t have a solution here, but want to thank all for some help for me even though I didn’t post this virus thing. I just installed the google toolbar, really neat, and will see how it works. Now if I can get rid of all that junk e-mail!!!