How do I get rid of an upwanted pop up trying to persude me to buy registry clean-up software?

Question

Keep getting a pop up titled "Message Centre" from RegFix32.com telling me to go to their website to buy the appropriate software.
After a couple of times of closing down the window, it stays on the screen permanently. Task Manager can't close it, but can minimise it. Help would be appreciated.

Answer 1

You have spyware .
Here are a few free scans you can run. I like ewido the best.
Spybots search and Destroy http://www.download.com/3000-8022-10122137.html?tag=pao
adaware se> http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-SE-Personal-Edition/3000-8022_4-10399602.html?tag=lst-0-1
http://www.webroot.com/land/freescan.php
a-squared Free> http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/
http://housecall.antivirus.com/housecall/start_frame.asp
http://housecall65.trendmicro.com/
X -Cleaner Micro Edition scan http://www.spywareguide.com/onlinescan.php
http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner
http://www.windowsecurity.com/trojanscan/
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html
http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/activescan/com/activescan_principal.htm

http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
Spywareguard too.

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareguard.html
http://www.ewido.net/en/onlinescan/
A pop up blocker will not solve the problem

Answer 2

This is a problem suffered by lots of users. You have a spyware/trojan problem. Assuming you have antivirus & antispyware software you should be able to run them, identify the problem and delete it from the registry. Unfortunately, it may not be as easy as that, and just deleting the files will not work, they'll just come back. You may also find your internet home page altered. Try to identify the exact "culprit" & then go on the internet & try to find a fix for it. The good news is that although it's a nuisance it doesn't normally cause any lasting harm

Answer 3

Sounds like you have an older version of Windows (pre XP SP2). These type of popups often exploit the Windows Messenger Service, which after SP2 is disabled by default.
A popup blocker "thingy" will be of no help in this case.

You have 2 choices to end the problem.

1. You can disable and stop Messenger Service by running services msc. on your computer.

2. You can use the free utility called Shoot The Messenger to automatically disable this unnecessary service.
http://www.grc.com/stm/shootthemessenger.htm

Please note that Windows Messenger Service is not the same as any Instant Messenger program that you may have on your computer. Disabling it will not cause you to lose any IM functionality that you may have.

Good luck.

Answer 4

this could either be spyware or just a annoying pop up that is permanently on the site,as i am allways seeing adverts for spyware killers and your p.c has errors,i just ignore them
a sweep with spybot(http://www.safer-networking.org/) and ewido(http://www.ewido.net/en/) will check your p.c for any spyware infection,but you will probally still get some pop ups as its part and parcel of some of these websites,they make their money by advertising these messages,so its just a case of trying to ignore them

Answer 5

I had the same thing, just get the latest updates for your anti spyware and run it worked for me. Oh and sending the company an abusive email made me feel better :)

Answer 6

Just activate your pop up blocker to ban all pop ups. Works for me

Answer 7

i had the same problem. there are people getting sued for creating that virus. dis 1 lady'z computer actually came with the spyware that did that.

Answer 8

You've got spyware and probably viruses, too. Buy a Mac.

Answer 9

I had the same problem,go to freeware files.com download spy-bot search and destroy you probably have spyware on your computer,also go to tools -internet options-privacy,check to see if the slider set to medium high.

Answer 10

Spyware you have so go to download.com and them download some free spyware a good one is ad-ware se because me and all my mates use it and have no problem.