Can anybody out there tell me why my computer locks up nearly every time I go into eBay?

Question

Just wonder if my wife has put some sort of virus onto it cos I do spend a lot of time (and money) on eBay.

Answer 1

Your wife didn't 'put' a virus on to it, you've probably picked up spyware.
Try installing Avast!, Ewido and Ad-Aware SE Personal and run them all in Safe Mode after turning off System Restore.
Then stop using Internet Explorer with Active X switched on, its just asking for trouble. Switch it off, or install Firefox plus the Java plug in and switch off Javascript before visiting unknown websites.

Go to Start - programs - accessories - system tools - system restore.
To get into safe mode, repeatedly press the F8 key after the bios screen loads but before Windows loads, if you don't manage it first time just restart and try again.
Safe mode looks very different and not all your programs will load but don't worry, its supposed to do that. The screen will run at 800 x 600. The scans will take a bit longer so just leave it to get on with it.

The Windows firewall doesn't stop malware on your pc from dialling out. Either of these firewalls are free for personal use and stop unwanted incoming and outgoing traffic. You choose which programs are allowed to access the internet. They are both fairly easy to use and updated regularly.
http://www.zonelabs.com Zone Alarm firewall
http://www.kerio.com Kerio firewall

Shields Up security site, check your firewall works
https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2

http://www.mozilla.com/ Firefox web browser
http://www.opera.com/ Opera web browser
Instal both these web browsers, turn off javascript on one and use that browser for vising unknown websites. They don't support Active X so thats one less way for problems to get on your pc.

Winpatrol is a handy utility that tracks cookies on your pc and stops unwanted changes to your startup folder.
http://www.winpatrol.com

Spywareblaster works with Internet Explorer and Firefox. It won't uninstall spyware that is already on your pc, but it will prevent hijacks and other malicious changes to your browser.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

http://www.avast.com Avast Antivirus

http://www.grisoft.com/doc/30863/lng/uk/tpl/tpl01 -Ewido anti trojan

Ad-Aware SE Personal anti adware
http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/

Spybot Search and Destroy anti spyware
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

http://www.bitdefender.com -BitDefender can be used as a second, on demand anti virus.

http://www.ccleaner.com Cr*pcleaner Registry cleaner and privacy tool

Microsoft have two free online scanners that look for malware.
http://safety.live.com/site/en-US/default.htm
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx
You can also download Microsofts free Windows Defender from the official Microsoft site, and the Malicious Software Removal Tool.

Remember to update and run all of you anti malware programs at least once a week.

Answer 2

Some fire walls have trouble with e bay script - I had the same problem - I get round mine by turning my wirewall off then back on again immediately ..then i can access ebay with no problem

Answer 3

I hope somebody can tell you, cause the same happens to mine, despite getting rid of cookies, computer clean up and adaware programmes!

Answer 4

if you are using the EBAY tool bar dump it i had the same problem till i removed it

Answer 5

chances are you might have a spyware try getting rid of that and make sure your pc is upd to date with updates from microsoft.

Answer 6

Perhaps it does not like being put up for auction

Answer 7

I've had trouble accessing it all day as well, so it's probably a server problem.

Answer 8

The Man doesn't want you to buy anything

Answer 9

you may have a virus.