Mike LS

Sudden popups

The last several days I've been getting a boatload of popups. And not really while I'm surfing. I can leave my computer running overnight and in the morning there might be 20 or 30 popus. Most of them these "Stop popups now" and things like that. Another thing that comes up is a download dialog box asking if I want to download and install the latest version of "Flastalk", which I believe is some kind of instant messenging program.

I've done virus scans, run adaware more than once and run a popup stopper (google toolbar) and my router is locked up tight. When I first noticed this, I had a few port ranges open for things like PC Anywhere and VPN. I disabled those services and closed all ports, but the popups are still getting through.

I'm not running a software firewall (have in the past, but it was a pain), but will if that's the best answer.

The only thing I've installed lately is TurboTax.

Max Leung

Assuming you are running Windows XP, you can run msconfig.exe from "Start->Run...". Click on the Startup tab, and uncheck the programs you think are suspicious-looking. Alternately, you can click "Disable All", and re-enable the startup programs one-by-one. Then reboot, and see if the popups go away!

It seems Adaware is completely useless for these popups nowadays. I've never had any luck using adaware. Anyone know of better programs to remove unwanted ads?

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ZoranM

It sound like you are running the messenger service (this is not MSN messenger) It is a service network admins can use to send messages to machines on their network. By default on WIN 2k machines this is on (not sure about default for xp)

There are 2 ways around this:
first way is a good firewall

second way is to do the following:

1)Click the Start button and choose Run.
2)Type services.msc into the text box and press Enter.
3)Scroll down to, and double-click on the Messenger item
4)In the dialog box that opens, choose Disabled as the Startup type.
5)If the service is currently running, click the Stop button under "Service Status".
6)Click OK.

Hope this helps.

cheers,

Zoran

My ever growing DVD collection (why my kids will never see college)

Mike LS

Got up this morning and closed about 70 of the things.....

I ran a program last night that gave a log report of all running processes....I was browsing another BB and found a situation similar to mine, and it was suggested to run this program. To tell you the truth, I can't even remember what the name of it was right now. It gives the list and allows you to shut any running process down (and disable it in the future). Anyway, I meant to email the log file to myself so I'd have it, but I shut down my computer this morning before I remembered to do so.

It's not messenger popups. I dealt with that problem about a year or so ago. These are actually IE windows and download dialog boxes. I remember the messenger popups being different. I figure it has to be some kind of spyware program that's allowing this......really irritating though.

Steve Deacon

The best thing I could suggest is use something like Mozilla instead of IE. A far better browser, and much less likely to get hijacked or allow pop-ups.

www.mozilla.org

It's free of course.

Mike LS

I know that's a solution, but I know that this sudden onslaught of popups is caused by something, and I'd rather figure out what it is than just ditch IE for another broswer.

Steve Deacon

Oh absolutely, you want to get to the bottom of it. Some other spyware related utilities you could try:

Spybot search and destroy - this might find some stuff that adaware is missing.

http://spybot.safer-networking.de/



spywareblaster - this is used to prevent nasty stuff installing itself, but obviously you'll need to get your system clean first. It has a snapshot system rather like system restore, but only affecting the areas that the spyware crap targets.

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

ZoranM

I would have to agree with Steve on the Spybot recommondation, I also use adaware which worked well for me (latest version).

Also I noticed you mention that you were using a software firewall in you first post buit then stopped cause of the hassle. I had the same problem the software firewall apps were in my opinion a "resource using hassle" so after some research I picked out a good NAT router for only $30 CA (found it at Futureshop, which is basically Best Buy in Canada).

It has been awsome for protecting my systems. It is way better then a software firewall and doesn't use any system resources. Not to mention when someone comes over with a laptop or game system, they can just plug in and go.

I know your looking to try and solve what is causing your problem first, but you might want to consider a NAT router to prevent this (or worse) from happening in the future.

Cheers,

Zoran

My ever growing DVD collection (why my kids will never see college)

Patrick Sun

Have we ruled out Turbo Tax yet?

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PhilBoy

ZoranM,

Please expand on the NAT router at BB...

I've been looking for a reasonably priced router/wirewall.

Is NAT the brand name ?

For $30 I'll go get one now.

simplicity is genius...