Is this spyware?

Question

My mom has comcast cable internet on her computer. She keeps getting these pop-ups that say message center and it will say that she has a virus and needs to download some software from some website. It comes up every couple of mins. I ran a virus scan and a spyware scan and it says the computer is clean, however these pop-ups will not go away. what can I do?

Answer 1

ok your guys are all wrong! It is spyware! More then likly it afffected you windows messaging not to be confused with windows messeger. If you are using win2000 or Xp... do the following. Click start, control panel... look for something that says administrative tools... click on it... from there click on services... go down the list until you see Messenger (Transmits net send and Alerter service messages between clients and servers. This service is not related to Windows Messenger. If this service is stopped, Alerter messages will not be transmitted. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.) this will stop the annoying messeges...

PROTECTION STEPS TO FOLLOW:
Click on Start, programs, all the way at the top look for windows updates, click that, click on ok on the next two screens, then scroll to the bottom and choose custom updates... after it scan your system make sure you choose all the updates listed on the right hand side, they maybe listed in different catogories, that ok, just do them all, especially service packs.... after you have done your updates, go to http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=435bfce7-da2b-4a6a-afa4-f7f14e605a0d&displaylang=en this will take you to windows defender... which is a good FREE program to protect you from 65% of the crap out there, I would also recommend install spybot search and destroy from www.downloads.com when you install THAT program make sure you ALSO in the optional program names tea time... follow all the simple steps... then search for additional help... if all else falses contact us.

Answer 2

Run MSConfig and check out the startup tab. Uncheck anything that looks strange. If you break something (ie. no sound or something) you can return to the msconfig menu and recheck everything. It's kind of a process of elimination...I know by looking what's normal and what's not, but I've been at it a while. Also, make sure the anti-spyware program you are using has the latest updates. Go to the website and download the latest definitions. Try another anti-spyware program, such as Microsoft's Antispy, Spysweeper, or AdAware.

Answer 3

It does sound like a common spyware type software. What antispy are you using? Try SpyDoctor (free to try) or AdAwareSE. Install a pop-up blocker on your browser (or turn it on, most browsers have a built-in one). Look through the options in your browser to see if you find it. If not, google "Free Pop-up blocker" and you should get tons of hits.

Or go to www.downloads.com and search for pop-up blockers.

As for the message, this is a common spyware technique that less scrupulous Antispy firms will use to get you to buy their product.

Answer 4

Go to www.majorgeeks.com they have many different adware/spyware/malware detection programs, as well as many anti-virus programs, alot of which are totally free.
This is a great site, and all programs are tested to be safe by the MajorGeeks people.
MajorGeeks also has other programs, audio video players, converters and, well ALOT of great useful stuff!
Try several different anti programs. What 2 or 3 wont or cant get, there is one there that will.
Also, go to "Add or Remove Programs" on her pc (Windows XP)and see if there are any programs that your mom KNOWS she did not install.

Best of luck! and, have fun at Major Geeks!

Chris

Answer 5

You can use other anti virus programs, such as Norton Anti Virus or Mcafee programs. Try installing malicious anti viral programs which rid your computer of spyware programs, trojans, etc.

However so, the best way to take out any possible viruses from the computer is to re format your hard drive.

Answer 6

i'm a working laptop or workstation forensics expert for the federal government. that's the undesirable information (and this is all undesirable). There are no AV courses that are any good. Why could I say that. First, via definition, AV courses are reactive, i.e. the quite basically catch undesirable actors as quickly as they have been pointed out. that's extremely analogous to biomedical examine on viruses - first you may % out them, and basically then are you able to locate a "therapy". maximum lively viruses (it quite is very almost a meaningless term) have not even been pointed out. in spite of this, the only quite look after thank you to maintain your "stuff" risk-free is to encrypt your information (i exploit PGP utility) and then anybody can "hack" your workstation, however the help they get would be ineffective. additionally, shop all your quite inner maximum stuff, financials, love letters :-) and so on. on a working laptop or workstation that (a million) never gets on the information superhighway (2) shop your stuff encrypted, so as that whether somebody steals your compture, the help would be ineffective (even the U. S. government can no longer decrypt the information). i'm specific that's no longer the respond you rather had to take heed to, even with the undeniable fact that it interior of reason precise. And do circulate look at PGP utility on the information superhighway. It has large "white papers" on risk-free practices, and so on. Anti-undercover agent ware/virus/keylogger/ghost courses basically artwork on the barest minimum of risk-free practices. desire I helped.

Answer 7

No thats not spyware. Theres some programs you can download to
stop those pop-up.
Examples are the google pop-up blocker...You can try those. Just try searching in Google.

Answer 8

dam trapz that pretty hardcore just for some spyware u think.i would suggest going to download.com and download all the free anti spyware and scan all u can

Answer 9

If you really wanetd that to be removed, try a windows update first to check for.. Um.. Updates.. Sometimes such problems is answered by the Windows Update.. If this is still fruitless, format your PC or reinstall windows.. But before doing that, make sure you have back-ups..

Answer 10

Yes she has something. Is she running Win98 or WinME? Maybe all she has to do is close the DCOM port.

Get a second opinion with another spyware scanner.