I'm suddenly being plagued by pop-up advertisements - ones about am I in debt, and on-line poker. It's been happening for a number of weeks now but never did in the past. What can I do about it and why has it suddenly started happening?
2007-05-10 04:17:22 · 11 answers · asked by Dr Watson (UK) 5 in Computers & Internet ➔ Internet ➔ Other - Internet
Thanks for all the answers. I have AVG and Ad-aware but only downloaded them after having a load of probs so I guess I still have something nasty in my woodshed :-(
2007-05-11 08:42:40 · update #1
Hi Wiggins
I am afraid it sounds like you have some Malware on your computer.
I strongly recommend that you do the following –oh and it won’t cost you a penny:
Download adaware personal from here:
http://www.download.com/ad-aware-se-pers...
Once you have downloaded it install it (by double clicking) and then run the software. First let it update itself and then run a full scan – this will take a while – when it is done tell it to remove any nasties that it finds.
Then download spybot search and destroy from here:
http://www.download.com/spybot-search-de...
Again install it and let it update itself. Then click immunize (on the left hand bar) and once it has checked let it add product to immunization. Then you need to click search and destroy (again on the left bar) then check for problems. This scan will take a while so let it get on with it. Once it is done tell it to remove any nasties that it has found.
Download Windows defender from here:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security...
As before install and run, allow it to update and then it will run in the background looking after your computer.
If you don’t have an up to date Anti Virus then you really need to do something about that too. A good one is AVG Free from here:
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/5390/lng/us/...
There are others like Avast that are also good and free. Finally you really should consider a quality firewall. Comodo and Zone Alarm are both good and free
Hope all that sorts it for you
AJ
2007-05-10 04:26:33 · answer #1 · answered by AJ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're visiting web sites not previously visited, then it could be a Web Host (like about.com) that's providing free web space to webmasters in exchange for those pop-up advertisements.
If you've already got some pop-up blocker program on your computer, then its control settings may have been changed and need to be returned to their normal, blocking status.
I haven't seen a pop-up in more than a year and usually don't return to sites than have them. Oh yes, I did see some last month that filled up my computer when visiting one of the "You are an Idiot" sites (the one with the domain name - don't visit it - the one in England may be safe), but that may have been due to an improperly designed web page that didn't exit properly.
2007-05-10 04:26:29 · answer #2 · answered by Ben 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You most likely downloaded some spyware
I would recommend downloading a spyware program like Spybot: Search & Destroy and/or Ad-Aware and then installing a popup blocker
You can get all this for free @ http://www.download.com
2007-05-10 04:20:40 · answer #3 · answered by pstiffyinc 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You either have a virus or have spyware on your pc. First check if if your pop up blocker is enabled, also download the free antivirus as quick as possible at (www.nod32.com) and download the free anti-spyware/anti pop up blocker/ firewall at (www.zonealarm.com) .Take these 2 and call me in the morning youll never have problems again :)))
2007-05-10 04:33:26 · answer #4 · answered by booker_52 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stop using IE (in case you still are) and switch to Firefox (http://www.mozilla.com/products/download.html?product=firefox-2.0.0.3&os=win&lang=en-US).
go to addons u'll find a pop up blocker (as it is the browser has a fantastic one built in ) but don't forget to browse thru all categories and read the intro of all addons (believe me almost all are worth it). thereafter u can relax.
2007-05-10 04:24:39 · answer #5 · answered by emronm 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because you use Internet Explorer and it is the PRIME target for pop-up advertisements.
Try Firefox instead:
2007-05-10 04:21:06 · answer #6 · answered by ELfaGeek 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds horribly like a virus - run your virus checker, and ad blocker software
2007-05-10 04:20:12 · answer #7 · answered by chillipope 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You probably have spyware on your computer. Try using SpywareDoctor to fix it.
2007-05-10 04:26:43 · answer #8 · answered by Sain 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
download
windows defender
and
advanced windows care 2
both are free and work well
2007-05-10 04:22:39 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
delete all cookies and do the scanning, to delete cookies go to tools>internet options
2007-05-10 04:24:10 · answer #10 · answered by $P$ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋