I have only recently installed internet for the first time in my life. While allowing Dell and Microsoft updates on my computer I also erroneously allowed US based thieves called popcorn.net to install their 3-day free trial license in my computer. Now, since 29 August, they regularly keep appearing on my computer, changing my desktop picture, and demanding extraordinay payments that have nothing to do with me. All my efforts to remove their programme via add/change/remove programmes have failed, and their FAQ menacingly says that no one can remove their license without payment! I have absolutely no interest in their service, have made no use of it, and have absolutely no desire to pay these corrupt people for what was supposed to be a 3-day trial anyway! Please tell me how to get rid of these outrageous people.They are driving me round the bend and I am deeply upset. Thank you very much to anyone who knows what to do and can help. Philip A.
2006-08-31 09:31:24 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Security
I highly recommend you download SUPERantispyware. It will remove popcorn.net. It is VERY VERY effective and it is free.
2006-08-31 09:40:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I would download the standard protection software:
Anti-virus (AVG is one of the best free ones)
Firewall (I like ZoneAlarm)
Spyware Removal (Use as many as possible)
2006-08-31 09:38:15 · answer #2 · answered by TBRMInsanity 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You need to switch off system restore while you clean the infection or it will just re-install itself. Go to Start - programs - accessories - system tools - system restore, and follow the wizard.
Then you need to re boot in Safe Mode and run Avast! anti virus and Ewido anti trojan. To get into Safe Mode, restart and after the black screen with white writing, repeatedly press F8 (it may be a different key on a Dell pc). You'll know if you made it because the screen will run at 800 x 600 and be slower. Thescans will take longer so just let them run.
Then restart in normal mode and beef up your security.
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
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
http://www.siteadvisor.com -Site Advisor warns about malware on sites you are about to visit.
http://www.avast.com - Avast Antivirus
http://www.ewido.net - Ewido anti trojan
Ad-Aware SE Personal anti adware
http://www.lavasoft.com
Spybot Search and Destroy anti spyware
http://www.safer-networking.org
http://spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm - The Spyware Warrior site identifies fake anti spyware programs.
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.
2006-08-31 09:42:38 · answer #3 · answered by sarah c 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Popcorn.net is spyware.They try to bully you into buying their useless garbage. To remove the spywware,Goto www.ewido.net and run the free version to find the spyware and remove it.
Here are a few others that I use that are free.
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/
2006-08-31 09:34:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
To remove popcorn:
http://www.schrockinnovations.com/removepopcorn.php
2006-08-31 09:42:45 · answer #5 · answered by jibberjabar 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you installed windows, uninstall and reinstall... and start again... and next time be wise!
Or... go here:
noadware.com
and download (one off fee, no catches) and scan and let them sort it for you.
2006-08-31 09:39:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
here are the instruction
http://www.webuser.co.uk/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/299839/an/0/page/0
2006-08-31 09:37:27 · answer #7 · answered by tru_story 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋